adjust stearing box or replace?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rydafoo · 10-05-2009, 07:59 PM

my 1987 gmc s15 has a lot of play in the steering and ive already replaced idler arm, center link, and berrings so i assume its the steering box or gear if thats wut its called. ive been told by some that i can just adjust it to fix the problem but others say if i do it would just lok up when i turned,without the proper sevice manuals i wouldnt know how to adjust it if it could be, id appreciate any input, thanks

KQQL IT · 10-06-2009, 12:31 AM

On the top of the box/gear what ever There is a 9/16 nut with a allen set screw. Back off the nut screw the allen down a bit and re tighten the nut. Check the play... Go a little at a time keep checking it. If that doesnt help you may to replace it

joe231 · 10-06-2009, 01:08 AM

it is a worm gear lash adjustment...if it is don't incorrectly, or if the gears are too worn, it is very possible that by adjusting it you could ruin the box and put your self and others at risk by loosing the ability to steer...just FYI
google it

*2tons of fun* · 10-06-2009, 01:36 AM

so you swaped the idler and center link, what about the other 9 tre/ball joints?

James McClure · 10-06-2009, 07:51 AM

Foo: I was a chevy mechanic for 33 years and only VERY rarely did a steering gear need adjustment of any kind at all. Most often ANY play in the wheel is from tie rod ends followed by the idler arm followed by ball joints (2WD). On 4WD most often the play is from the joints on the short shaft from pitman arm to the left spindle connection followed by ball joints. Let us know what you find. Jim

68 TT · 10-06-2009, 08:31 AM

On the S-series you need to replace the ball joints and possibly the a-arm bushings too.

You will have it most of the way apart when you do the ball joints so you might as well do a little more work and change the bushings too so you don't have to tear it all back apart again.

Keith Seymore · 10-06-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James McClure

Foo: I was a chevy mechanic for 33 years and only VERY rarely did a steering gear need adjustment of any kind at all. Most often ANY play in the wheel is from tie rod ends followed by the idler arm followed by ball joints (2WD). On 4WD most often the play is from the joints on the short shaft from pitman arm to the left spindle connection followed by ball joints. Let us know what you find. Jim

Agree, although we used to adjust the gears on a V Blazer alot to try to get a little more straight line stability.

There are two adjustments: the base adjustment is the big nut on the end (like where the rag joint attaches). Then, the allen screw and lock nut adjust the "over center" torque - which affects on center stability.

The rotating torque (of the steering shaft) should be 8 - 10 in lbs for the base torque; over center torque is 18 - 20 in lbs.

Lastly - you should remove the gear from the frame to do this properly. If you are serious I'd try to find a Unit Repair manual to walk you through the process.

K

rydafoo · 10-06-2009, 08:57 PM

i gues that adjustment is a little riskyer than originaly thought for my rookie skills so i might just have to replace. can junkyard boxes be worthy? and no i havnt touched the ball joints or tierod ends so thatl probley be my next step. i have tried replacing tha CA bushings but i guess i didnt have the right puller kuz it just bent them. is it nessasary to remove the CA's to pull them?? thanks to all for your help

*2tons of fun* · 10-06-2009, 11:03 PM

the adjustent itself is not sketchy or risky.

loosen the locking nut, run the stem down till it stops, back it off a half turn.

lock it down.

any junkyard box is just as likely to need the same amount of adjustment.

rydafoo · 10-07-2009, 10:59 AM

alright il give it a try then before i try to get a new one thanks

68 TT · 10-07-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydafoo

i gues that adjustment is a little riskyer than originaly thought for my rookie skills so i might just have to replace. can junkyard boxes be worthy? and no i havnt touched the ball joints or tierod ends so thatl probley be my next step. i have tried replacing tha CA bushings but i guess i didnt have the right puller kuz it just bent them. is it nessasary to remove the CA's to pull them?? thanks to all for your help

The control arm bushings are not easy to get out. Most people use heat and melt out the rubber. You can drill out the rubber if you don't have a torch but it is a slow process.

The poly bushing easily presses back into the stock shell.

rydafoo · 10-07-2009, 09:25 PM

nice although the only replacement bushings i have found already come installed into a shell, i guess i havnt looked hard enuf thanks!

10-05-2009, 07:59 PM	#1
rydafoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: lvlnd.CO Posts: 55	adjust stearing box or replace?? my 1987 gmc s15 has a lot of play in the steering and ive already replaced idler arm, center link, and berrings so i assume its the steering box or gear if thats wut its called. ive been told by some that i can just adjust it to fix the problem but others say if i do it would just lok up when i turned,without the proper sevice manuals i wouldnt know how to adjust it if it could be, id appreciate any input, thanks Attached Images

10-06-2009, 12:31 AM	#2
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,260	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? On the top of the box/gear what ever There is a 9/16 nut with a allen set screw. Back off the nut screw the allen down a bit and re tighten the nut. Check the play... Go a little at a time keep checking it. If that doesnt help you may to replace it

10-06-2009, 01:08 AM	#3
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? it is a worm gear lash adjustment...if it is don't incorrectly, or if the gears are too worn, it is very possible that by adjusting it you could ruin the box and put your self and others at risk by loosing the ability to steer...just FYI google it __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

10-06-2009, 01:36 AM	#4
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? so you swaped the idler and center link, what about the other 9 tre/ball joints?

10-06-2009, 07:51 AM	#5
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? Foo: I was a chevy mechanic for 33 years and only VERY rarely did a steering gear need adjustment of any kind at all. Most often ANY play in the wheel is from tie rod ends followed by the idler arm followed by ball joints (2WD). On 4WD most often the play is from the joints on the short shaft from pitman arm to the left spindle connection followed by ball joints. Let us know what you find. Jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

10-06-2009, 08:31 AM	#6
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? On the S-series you need to replace the ball joints and possibly the a-arm bushings too. You will have it most of the way apart when you do the ball joints so you might as well do a little more work and change the bushings too so you don't have to tear it all back apart again.

10-06-2009, 08:57 PM	#8
rydafoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: lvlnd.CO Posts: 55	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? i gues that adjustment is a little riskyer than originaly thought for my rookie skills so i might just have to replace. can junkyard boxes be worthy? and no i havnt touched the ball joints or tierod ends so thatl probley be my next step. i have tried replacing tha CA bushings but i guess i didnt have the right puller kuz it just bent them. is it nessasary to remove the CA's to pull them?? thanks to all for your help

10-06-2009, 11:03 PM	#9
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? the adjustent itself is not sketchy or risky. loosen the locking nut, run the stem down till it stops, back it off a half turn. lock it down. any junkyard box is just as likely to need the same amount of adjustment.

10-07-2009, 10:59 AM	#10
rydafoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: lvlnd.CO Posts: 55	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? alright il give it a try then before i try to get a new one thanks

10-07-2009, 09:25 PM	#12
rydafoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: lvlnd.CO Posts: 55	Re: adjust stearing box or replace?? nice although the only replacement bushings i have found already come installed into a shell, i guess i havnt looked hard enuf thanks!



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