Adjusting for play in steering

[dzwestwindsor]

I have a 1971 C20 that has a good amount of play in the steering. It's definitely because of the steering gear, since the input shaft going into the box can be rotated by hand without any resistance, and with no output.

Is it safe to adjust the allen screw and nut on the gearbox? I've seen people write that it is dangerous and may lock up while driving, or that it wears out the box even faster. Are these claims true?

If I adjust it a little to remove some of the play and still be able to rotate it from full lock to full lock without any issues, it should be safe, right? It wouldn't just randomly lock up without warning, I hope?

Thanks

[CaptRMW]

I adjust mine about 1/8 turn per year as soon as I notice just a tiny bit of slack and it steers like a new vehicle for about another year with no issues. Find a vacant lot to do the adjusting and test driving. Report your findings and we will all benefit.

[Bigdav160]

I've rebuilt at least a hundred steering boxes over the years.

I'm in the camp of "don't mess with the sector screw". It just makes it steering harder without really taking out the slack.

[Stocker]

In my limited experience, you can adjust that screw to take up slack in a worn box, but....

1) Be careful, go in small increments, too snug and the steering won't return to center without your help.

2) It's just a temporary bandaid to buy a little more time. You need a new steering box.

[hugger6933]

Let me preface what I'm about to type in case you don't know me. I have owned a body shop and build late model trucks[wrecks] and have been in the used car business since 1987. If I had a truck /car /golf cart with that much slack in it that the box was in need of tightening that much I would replace it promptly. Of course I don't know how you are stacked for cash if your like me your tapped out but please don't risk yours or your families safety or those driving around you on a box that loose. That screw is mainly to set the preload of the worm gear if I recall and a slight turn will give the effect of making it tighter to turn because it will take more effort to turn it. Jim

[brian1971]

I would replace the steering box or get it rebuilt,If there is that much play don't even bother adjusting that screw.

[cwilkie]

I send my gear boxes to Blue Top Steering Gears in Stanton, ND. He rebuilds them for $180 plus shipping. I just sent one to them on Monday and received it back Thursday. I just used a large flat rate priority box. He does really good work.