Steering very loose, anyone know how to adjust power steering gear?

[68ChargerAG]

I have tons of slop in my steering. I can turn the input steering shaft on the steering box quite a bit before it even starts to turn output shaft. Does anyone know how to adjust the slop out of these steering gears?

I tried doing the cross shaft adjustment per the Chiltons manual by lostening the nut on top and adjusting the inner screw with hex key, but this doesn't seem to help. I don't know what else to try.

:confused:

Thanks.

 

[68ChargerAG]

Any ideas? ray::sSig_thankyou:

 

[69 Runner]

You're sure it's all in the box itself?

 

[Meep-Meep]

Like it says above. Have someone wiggle the wheel back and forth with the car on the ground while you crawl around the front end to see what moves.

 

[68ChargerAG]

Yes, have done that. The steering wheel (and shaft going into the steering gear) can move quite a bit before the output shaft and pitman arm move at all. I can get a couple inches of turn out of the steering wheel without the pitman arm moving at all. It seems like just a huge amount of lash at the cross shaft. Can this be adjusted out?

I see that the domed cover on the top of the cross shaft is offset from center, does this mean that it can be spun around so the angle can be adjusted in toward the powered worm gear to get rid of all this lash? I don't want to start loosening things without knowing what I am doing, I will just create leaks.

Thanks.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Are you checking for play while the engine is running? There will be play with the engine not running because of the control valve function. Start the car and check it again.

 

[68ChargerAG]

Good point... I am out of town but will verify that when I get back home. I was just reading that other thread started by 6pktgo and am wondering if I am just thinking there is a problem because I am used to modern steering.

It has been a long time since I have driven an older car. :blush: