Play in steering box
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,967
From: Connecticut, USA
If you have lost motion in the box there is only one on the car adjustment you can try, the lash adjustment. There are 2 external adjustments- bearing preload and lash. Forget about the preload, it most likely is gone now and you are not going to get it set correctly on the car.
The lash is the position of the sector teeth to worm teeth on center. It is important that you make the adjustment on center not off. With it on center loosen the nut on the center screw and turn the screw CW until you feel it snug up. Stop and lock the nut there. Test drive and see.
NOTE : For many years here, information on adjusting the box was to tighten it up on center and back off 1/4 turn. This is misinformation, backing it off defeats what you are trying to do. Now going beyond snug to tight will overload the center tooth on the sector and in time you will have loose center again and worn out gears. If the box is loose and there are no threads showing above the jam nut you may be wasting your time since they are worn out most likely. The best way to adjust the box is to remove it and if it's untouched it needs more then a lash adjustment.
The lash is the position of the sector teeth to worm teeth on center. It is important that you make the adjustment on center not off. With it on center loosen the nut on the center screw and turn the screw CW until you feel it snug up. Stop and lock the nut there. Test drive and see.
NOTE : For many years here, information on adjusting the box was to tighten it up on center and back off 1/4 turn. This is misinformation, backing it off defeats what you are trying to do. Now going beyond snug to tight will overload the center tooth on the sector and in time you will have loose center again and worn out gears. If the box is loose and there are no threads showing above the jam nut you may be wasting your time since they are worn out most likely. The best way to adjust the box is to remove it and if it's untouched it needs more then a lash adjustment.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
If you have lost motion in the box there is only one on the car adjustment you can try, the lash adjustment. There are 2 external adjustments- bearing preload and lash. Forget about the preload, it most likely is gone now and you are not going to get it set correctly on the car.
The lash is the position of the sector teeth to worm teeth on center. It is important that you make the adjustment on center not off. With it on center loosen the nut on the center screw and turn the screw CW until you feel it snug up. Stop and lock the nut there. Test drive and see.
NOTE : For many years here, information on adjusting the box was to tighten it up on center and back off 1/4 turn. This is misinformation, backing it off defeats what you are trying to do. Now going beyond snug to tight will overload the center tooth on the sector and in time you will have loose center again and worn out gears. If the box is loose and there are no threads showing above the jam nut you may be wasting your time since they are worn out most likely. The best way to adjust the box is to remove it and if it's untouched it needs more then a lash adjustment.
The lash is the position of the sector teeth to worm teeth on center. It is important that you make the adjustment on center not off. With it on center loosen the nut on the center screw and turn the screw CW until you feel it snug up. Stop and lock the nut there. Test drive and see.
NOTE : For many years here, information on adjusting the box was to tighten it up on center and back off 1/4 turn. This is misinformation, backing it off defeats what you are trying to do. Now going beyond snug to tight will overload the center tooth on the sector and in time you will have loose center again and worn out gears. If the box is loose and there are no threads showing above the jam nut you may be wasting your time since they are worn out most likely. The best way to adjust the box is to remove it and if it's untouched it needs more then a lash adjustment.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,967
From: Connecticut, USA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,967
From: Connecticut, USA
Think about what it is doing- limiting the travel of the sector shaft. The teeth are tapered tooth, an upward force could create play, the shim helps to keep the play in vertical plane of the sector tight.
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