End play adjustment screw

[Ross/Kzoo]

I was told by longtime Model A friend that my end play adjustment screw needed to be tightened up. My question is what tool do you use to adjust this slotted screw and exactly how "tight" should that screw be? A stubby slotted screwdriver does work in those tight quarters.

[jw hash]

first, what are you working on.

[Patrick L.]

An 'end-play' adjustment screw on what ? I'll assume you mean a 2 tooth steering box, but, I'm not sure. So, the first question is, how much steering wheel play do you have ? These boxes have 4 adjustments that need to be performed in order, so, my recommendation is to get the service bulletins for the instructions. These adjustments can be done while the box is still mounted in the car.

[Ross/Kzoo]

Yes, it's a two tooth and I went through all the adjustments last year and thought that I had it right. The other day the friend said to just tighten the end play adjustment screw as I have about 2" of play at the steering wheel.

[gweilbaker]

Do as Patrick suggests with the service bulletins, there is an order to the adjustments as they have interactions between them. They will try your patience especially if the gears are worn.

[Mitch//pa]

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if you can grab the sector shaft at the pitman arm and move it in and out then the end play side adj screw (sector) needs to be adjusted.. i have found that doing all the adjustments accord to the service bulletins helps the most

[Ross/Kzoo]

I still haven't heard what tool to use since a normal stubby screwdriver won't work.

[mleder]

You can buy an off set screw driver at Sears or a decent tool store I used that with my adjustment before. Better yetI would take an old screw driver and cut it off and weld a small nut on the very short shaft making my own special tool and then turn it with a socket or a box end wrench or perhaps make a "T" handle

[Patrick L.]

I just fired up the torch and 'warped' a screwdriver for the last adjustment while the box is in the car. The last adjustment usually doesn't require much if anything. But, other than that ordinary tools [wrench and screwdriver] work just fine.

[P.S.]

Would someone be kind engough to paste the service bulletin instructions here for everyone?

[Mitch//pa]

why does'nt a stubby work? whats in your way

[Ross/Kzoo]

My stubby must be a little longer than other people's stubby.

[Mitch//pa]

i measure 3 1/2" clearance from screw slot to oil pan lip

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by p.s.

would someone be kind engough to paste the service bulletin instructions here for everyone?

B U Y... T H E... B o o k !

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by P.S.

Would someone be kind engough to paste the service bulletin instructions here for everyone?

Really !? It would probably be easier and faster to just write/type the instructions than scan, file , transfer,etc.. Plus, every 'A' owner should have a repair manual and set of service bulletins. JMO though, which isn't worth too much.
I don't think any of us mind helping someone. We enjoy it. But, folks have to try and help themselves too.

[Ross/Kzoo]

Just like I thought, my stubby's longer than yours is. Mine's 6" long. I forgot that I have that offset screwdriver, I'll have to try that.

I have the Mechanics Handbook and a bunch of other's but this is a well used piece.

[Patrick L.]

Hehehhe, it always comes down to something being bigger than someone else's, Hehehehe.

If the steering is working OK with the 2" of free-play, I wouldn't worry about it until the book comes.

[Brentwood Bob]

Don't hog down the adjustment, just snug it to where there is no side thrust.
Just finished doing that particular thing to a very loose shaft and when we took off the fill plug, voila, no lubrication. Bob

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Really !? It would probably be easier and faster to just write/type the instructions than scan, file , transfer,etc.. Plus, every 'A' owner should have a repair manual and set of service bulletins. JMO though, which isn't worth too much.
I don't think any of us mind helping someone. We enjoy it. But, folks have to try and help themselves too.

So... Politely asking for help here is no longer acceptable? I just thought that if the adjustment of the 2-tooth box were posted here, it might help a lot of people who look this up and find this thread someday. My apologies for suggesting such an absurd idea.

The answer "Go buy the book" may help answer the question a lot of people here have about why younger people aren't getting interested in old cars as a hobby these days.

I think I will add this attitude to the "pet peeves" thread.

[Tom Wesenberg]

There is one more "end play adjustment" on the steering. On the 7 tooth, you can remove shims if you can push & pull the steering wheel and feel movement. On the 2 tooth you loosen the clamp for the column to the gear, then loosen the lock nut, then lightly snug the slotted screw to drive the upper bearing race closer to the bottom.