I noticed in another post I was reading, that it's possible to adjust my power steering gear box. I've never heard this before, is this true? If so, what's the correct way to set it? What exactly does it adjust? I bought a new to me gear box today (current one is leaking), when I install the new one this weekend, does it need to be adjusted?

 

1. Yes, it is.
2. The correct way is on the bench(not on the truck), with the required tools.
3. Technically it adjusts the worm gear pre-load. But it essentially removes excessive freeplay felt at the steering wheel, if excessive freeplay at the steering wheel is present. Over-tightening the adjusting screw will cause the steering wheel to be harder to turn(as well as causing excessive worm gear pre-load).
4. Maybe, maybe not. Kinda hard to tell from here.
5. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...ng/13gearh.pdf

 

Propoer tools? What do I need? If this needs to be done I wanna do the new one before I install it.

 

SST 09616-00010 or equivalent, torque wrench, 14mm wrench, large flat head screwdriver.



But hold-up there cowboy. Notice how it says..

That's the washer under the lock nut. It has an integral rubber seal that can easily be damaged while adjusting, if not removed prior to. And can just as easily be damaged when removing it. Thus the recommendation that a new one be installed AFTER adjustment.

I tried adjusting mine w/o removing it, and caused it to leak. Now there's a blob of RTV covering the screw, nut, and washer. Not pretty...but it works!

 

Thanks man. Guess I'll be installing my new box and adjusting this on the old one when I rebuild it. Any leads on a write-up about tackling that job? Or any advice? I know it can be a PIA but, I wanna learn to do it.

 

What is the result of excessive worm gear pre-load? I just figured out that my 1990 that I picked up last year was adjusted too tight. I have since adjusted it out. My problems are much better, but not gone. What problems would result from excessive pre-load? Will it cause the truck stering to be sketchy and want to wander all over the road?

 

What I've heard is it will, like I said, make the steering wheel harder to turn. Which can result in the steering wheel/wheels not wanting to self-center. Meaning after turning it/them while driving, when you let go of the steering wheel, it/they(steering wheel and the wheels) should straighten it/themselves out(as in all return to center). With the added resistance in the gearbox(caused by over-tightening the worm gear pre-load adjustment screw) that can counter-act that effect. Much like having the front tires' toe setting "toed out" does. Whereas having the front tires "toed in" encourages it. And having their toe set to 0°/no toe, theoretically has no effect on it.

What you're describing sounds like it might be too loose, not too tight. But could also be caused by many other things. Like worn, loose, damaged steering components/parts, or even loose wheel bearings. And/or a wheel alignment issue.