Play in steering box HELP?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: New Bedford MA
Play in steering box HELP?
I have play in my steering box does this mean the worm gear is worn, lube not right? Is there any way to adjust or tighten? I checked all other related parts and it is definately in the box. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,986
From: Connecticut, USA
Look at the adjuster screw in the cover, if there are 3+ threads showing the gears should be good, if there are less then 2 maybe not. You can look up my thread on rebuilding them to see how they are setup or contact me and I'll go over it with you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You can use the adjustment screw on the top of the box to remove excess 'slop' from the gears. But, once you have done that for tightening up the lash at the 'center' position, you must verify that it is not too tight on either side of center. If steering tightens or binds-up when you turn the steering wheel, then you took out more lash than is safe to do [you don't want the steering to 'lock in place' anywhere in the steering travel]. Ideally, you can adjust the lash out and still have it operate smoothly anywhere on the gears. If it turns out to be 'loose' in the center of travel, you need to have the steering box rebuilt with a new gear set.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: New Bedford MA
Do you mean 3 threads showing out of the top of the locking nut or the box cover? I have about 2 1/2 threads showing on top of the nut.
