Manual steering box adjustment

[Jonathan_Cole]

I have read several older topics on this. Most recommended converting to power or replacement. I have a bit of slop in the box.

I just installed a TBP 2.5 lift, have 17x8 wheels with 4.5 bs and 255/75/17 tires. Adjustable track bar and drag link are new. Tie rods are original with 39k miles.

I was getting some wandering before I ever did the lift. Around 3-4 inches of play at the steering wheel before the pitman arm moves. This is around an 1/8th of a turn by the bell at the input before any movement from the pitman.

I'd like to see if I can tighten it up some. I can find some boxes online but they're around $500.


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[jamesroney]

I have read several older topics on this. Most recommended converting to power or replacement. I have a bit of slop in the box.

I just installed a TBP 2.5 lift, have 17x8 wheels with 4.5 bs and 255/75/17 tires. Adjustable track bar and drag link are new. Tie rods are original with 39k miles.

I was getting some wandering before I ever did the lift. Around 3-4 inches of play at the steering wheel before the pitman arm moves. This is around an 1/8th of a turn by the bell at the input before any movement from the pitman.

I'd like to see if I can tighten it up some. I can find some boxes online but they're around $500.


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Why do you think that you can "tighten it up?"

This is a huge misunderstanding of the worm and sector steering box adjustment. The purpose of that adjusting screw is to set the tolerance when the gears are NEW. It is not to try to compensate for WEAR.

Remember that the adjustment screw forces the sector into the worm at all steering angles. When a manual steering box wears out...it ONLY wears the middle of the worm. So the ends of the worm are still basically new. If you adjust the screw with the box centered, and the worm is worn out, it will bind when you get anywhere past center. So don't!!!

You can certainly take up a little slop by tightening the adjusting screw. But you cannot fix a worn out worm by taking the slop out of the middle.

This is why everyone recommends replacement.

Now...if your steering box is not worn out, then of course you can take up the play by setting the adjuster. The best way to KNOW is to remove the box from the Bronco, and clamp it in a vice. Then steer it thru it's complete angle and see if the box tightens up as you get off center. Then tighten the adjuster to the minimum at the steering angle that has the LEAST slop. When you are done, it will still be loose in the middle, but you will feel it by hand get snug as you get off center. That's as good as it can get.

Then go put some 7 degree caster wedges in the radius arms.

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

I've got 7* bushings. I'll see what I can figure out. I may just have to replace it.

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