Steering Box Adjustment

[Ed in Maine]

I recently was asked by a club member to help out with a steering box adjustment. I have done this several times in the past and things worked out just fine. I followed the procedures in the Mechanics Handbook but still was tripped up!

We followed the sequence recommended and for the third adjustment centered the steering wheel for the straight ahead position. Using the offset adjustment nut, we completed the adjustment. We were fooled, the tightest mesh of the sector and worm was not at the straight ahead position but about 1/8 to 1/4 turn to the right. There was binding as you turned the wheel away from center to the right. Of course, when we made the adjustment a second time at the position to the right, we now had some lost motion with the steering at dead ahead. What causes this to be the case?? Ed

[Bob C]

Does he have a shortened pitman arm?

[Patrick L.]

What causes that ? I'm thinking just 90 yrs af wear. Mine is kinda the same, but not quite as much as yours. I just adjust the 'slop' [ technical term] out of it and have less than an inch straight ahead.

[john in illinois]

The center of of the worm is larger diameter than the ends. When the center wears,it is smaller diameter than the ends. Thus if you adjust a worn center it is tight at ends.

John

[Neshkoro]

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I just finished replacing the sector shaft bushings in the steering box. When I disassembled the box, I could see wear on the sector and it was at dead center. That can't be adjusted out. If you take out the slop with the wheel centered, it will be too tight as you turn the wheel left or right. I was able to make it better than it was but not perfect. The solution is to buy a new sector shaft.