The Ford Barn - View Single Post

Growley bear · 05-15-2017, 09:14 AM

Here is where the trouble begins. A friend had trouble adjusting a two tooth gear box. The drag link was not disconnected from the pitman arm and it was assumed that when the front wheels were straight that the worm and sector were centered. The sector depth was adjusted and when on the road play was still too much. Further checking revealed that when the wheels were straight that the worm and sector were not centered and the adjustment had been made off center. When this was corrected, an adjustable draglink was installed and the adjustment problem was solved. The reason for the offset was not addressed. I would think that something was bent/twisted somewhere.
Adjusting the sector/worm depth with the box installed is a piece of cake??UNLESS it was not properly adjusted before being installed in the vehicle; the internals are badly worn which will make a proper adjustment impossible.
Raise the vehicle to remove steering system drag and place the axel on some sturdy stands. Much patience and attention to detail is needed here especially if doing the job alone. Remove the drag link to separate the gearbox from the rest of the system. When getting to the sector/worm depth adjustment loosen the housing nuts just enough to remove some of the pressure from the spring washers to allow the housing to be moved with the eccentric. After you have made the adjustment and are satisfied with the results, tighten the four nuts starting with the eccentric. Then turn the steering wheel from extreme to extreme. If it turns both ways with no binding. you are quite fortunate as this is rare. If it does bind the eccentric can be backed off and rechecked. Always end the adjustment with a clockwise movement. If a centered no play adjustment occurs with a bind on either side of center, the gear box needs to be removed from the vehicle and the centralization adjustment can be made. One adjustment here affects the other, so there is a lot of back and forth between sector depth and centralization.
I would recommend that if removing the gearbox is necessary that the gearbox be opened up and inspected. I know that sounds involved and it can be; however time spent here will result in a gear box that will probably last many years.
After reinstalling the gearbox don't forget to add 600w oil. Fill it to the top of the threads then rock the steering wheel side to side and add more fluid. This will need to be done as many times as necessary to work out all the air.

05-15-2017, 09:14 AM	#17
Growley bear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 777	Re: 2 Tooth Worm gear Here is where the trouble begins. A friend had trouble adjusting a two tooth gear box. The drag link was not disconnected from the pitman arm and it was assumed that when the front wheels were straight that the worm and sector were centered. The sector depth was adjusted and when on the road play was still too much. Further checking revealed that when the wheels were straight that the worm and sector were not centered and the adjustment had been made off center. When this was corrected, an adjustable draglink was installed and the adjustment problem was solved. The reason for the offset was not addressed. I would think that something was bent/twisted somewhere. Adjusting the sector/worm depth with the box installed is a piece of cake??UNLESS it was not properly adjusted before being installed in the vehicle; the internals are badly worn which will make a proper adjustment impossible. Raise the vehicle to remove steering system drag and place the axel on some sturdy stands. Much patience and attention to detail is needed here especially if doing the job alone. Remove the drag link to separate the gearbox from the rest of the system. When getting to the sector/worm depth adjustment loosen the housing nuts just enough to remove some of the pressure from the spring washers to allow the housing to be moved with the eccentric. After you have made the adjustment and are satisfied with the results, tighten the four nuts starting with the eccentric. Then turn the steering wheel from extreme to extreme. If it turns both ways with no binding. you are quite fortunate as this is rare. If it does bind the eccentric can be backed off and rechecked. Always end the adjustment with a clockwise movement. If a centered no play adjustment occurs with a bind on either side of center, the gear box needs to be removed from the vehicle and the centralization adjustment can be made. One adjustment here affects the other, so there is a lot of back and forth between sector depth and centralization. I would recommend that if removing the gearbox is necessary that the gearbox be opened up and inspected. I know that sounds involved and it can be; however time spent here will result in a gear box that will probably last many years. After reinstalling the gearbox don't forget to add 600w oil. Fill it to the top of the threads then rock the steering wheel side to side and add more fluid. This will need to be done as many times as necessary to work out all the air.