Steering Box Adjustment?

[97WhiteDragon]

Hey all, just threw in a new steering box, steering pump, and brand new tires. Now, i know i should get a wheel alignment, but however.. That doesnt mean that my steering wheel would have this much play. Does anyone know, how much you have to adjust that lock-nut on the top of my gear box? Ive read forums to turn it only an 1/8th or a 1/4 at a time, which did nothing for me. Im thinking that the box comes completely non adjusted from a remanufacture, so it would need possibly a whole turn or more of the set screw to even start seeing benefits in the wheel play, is what im guessing.. But i'd prefer to know exactly what im doing before i mess with it. anyone have experience/info on it? It'd be appreciated, thanks!

[extra-medium]

I was told by a mechanic to loosen the nut around it and then tighten up the inside part 1/4 turn at a time, and then tighten the outside nut when its done. Other then that I can't tell you much more. I would guess with a new steering box you would have to adjust it and it could take a few turns.

[SteelHeadz]

Steering boxes usually are adjusted to specs prior to selling it. If you do adjust it like Tim suggested, re-tighten the nut and test it on a full lock to lock turn to make sure there's no binding and the power steering is working properly while checking the end play.

[97WhiteDragon]

Everything is working fine, just like it should. I said **** it, im gonna spend a bit and get an alignment, inspection and adjustment done. Its currently -30 here and VICIOUSLY snowing, so its just stupid to try and adjust it in this crap here.

[Bounty__Hunter]

Really should be no need to adjust a new steering box, and I've always heard you can really screw up a box by attempting to adjust it.

[97WhiteDragon]

No idea, and thats why if the mechanics **** it up.. They can fix it all, free of charge. It was enough money buying a new pump that a mechanic broke, then another pump, and a steering box. Im not gonna mess around with something i've heard can be messed up easily if you dont know what your doing, and i have no experience doing it. Im sure i could figure it out, but hell with it.. 150 bucks and everything is aligned, adjusted and proper.

[69jeepcj]

The manual boxes are adjustable. I do not think you can adjust a power steering box, or if you can, you better know what you are doing. I wanted to adjust my power steering box once and a 4x4 shop owner told me a few years back that you can only adjust the manual boxes not the power boxes.

[carnuck]

That shop was wrong. You do need to adjust the box with the wheel facing forward. Turn the screw in till barely snug then back off a 1/4 turn. Try it and if too tight, back off 1/8 turn and try again. Too loose, turn in, but make sure it's not too tight or the gears will get messed up. Adjust it while NOT running too!

[69jeepcj]

carnuck, are you talking about the power steering box or the manual box?

[PoliceMonkey161]

I see that this is an older posting, but I have done adjustments to power steering gear boxes in past. I'm no expert, but like carnuck statement make small adjustments.

After taking an old gear box apart, this adjustment is similiar to setting gear backlash. You are essentially moving the steering gear (connected to the pitman arm) either closer or further from the worm gear (connected to the steering shaft).

[carnuck]

carnuck, are you talking about the power steering box or the manual box?

both