How can I tell if my steering box is the problem of my loose steering. I tightened it and it seems a little tighter. I don't want to over tighten it. I'm getting ready to order tie rods/ ball joints. But if my box is going out also, I might as well have someone rebuild it. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks a million guys.

 

Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back an forth while you look to see if the drop arm is moving. The more wiggle without drop arm movement, the more wear in the box.
Also check your panhard rod bushings and bolts.

 

On the top of the steering gear box is a backlash adjustment ALLEN bolt (6mm) with a sealed nut (15mm) securing it. If your steering wheel is too loose it could be in either one or two areas on the gear box. The first check would be the backlash. simply loosen the backlash sealed nut and using the ALLEN head tighten until the control arm and steering wheel are at the point where there is no dramatic side to side play. Do not over tighten. This backlash bolt draws the control arm shaft away from and into the worm gear. You do not want to damage the worm gear. So use slight adjustments, test drive and find a good spot. Next would be the worm gear itself. When the bearings wear down or the adjustment in the worm gear gets out of whack. This will cause severe loose steering or severe tight steering. Simple fix. The worm gear sits behind the large open nut, which secures what looks like a large ALLEN style cap. The worm gear housing sits directly below the top plate which has the backlash bolt in it. If this cap or large open nut are loose, you will get loose steering. Too tight and your steering will be stiff. Loosen the large nut and tighten the inner ALLEN style cap just by a very small increment. Try your steering before you re-tighten the outer open nut. Sounds alot like the backlash adjustment though so try that. I have rebuilt many of these and bave seen alot of wear on the worm gear from people over tightening the backlash adjustment. Still even with wear on the worm gear, it still does not degrade the gear box. These things are nearly indistructable. They just leak alot at the piston cap. If you need one on one help. PM me. Also have remans for sale without the core charge. NOTE: Turning the backlash bolt clockwise will drive the shaft wheel down and into the worm gears to tighten. Counterclockwise will pull the shaft wheel away and up from the worm gears.

 

Right on guys, thank you. When I get home I'll check my bushings and LRD2&ME I'll definitily be getting in touch with you. So when I tightened it earlier it turned about half a turn and now my alignment is off. I thought I had the wheels straight, but I guess not. Now when I drive sometimes it seems like all of the sudden it will let go of the line it's in and kinda veer, sometimes I'll be pressing or releasing on the gas pedal. Or be on the highway and it'll do it. Kinda scary.

 

Does your gear box leak fluid? Pressure is needed in the piston area to keep the steering stable. Most leaks occur at the piston housing. If you look at the gear box from under the vehicle. The large capped end directly above the control arm is the piston housing. The housing above that is the worm gear housing. Leaks usually develop at the piston housing and on the top plate at the backlash nut. Still sounds alot like incorrect backlash pressure applied to the shaft and worm gear though.

 

Very good detailed explanation. I learned a lot reading it. Keep up the good work.

 

I totally agree with Danny. LRD&ME, you have much knowledge. How much do you charge for a rebuilt or to rebuild mine? Also is there a way to fix my alignment? Or should I take it to a professional?

 

How did the allignment get out of whack? You mean your steering wheel is off center. Do a quick check. With your tires straight. Use a tape measure and see what the measurements are from the front side inner rim to the other inside rim. Measure the front side of the inner rim at about center and across to the same spot on the other rim. Then measure from the back side inner rim to the back side inner rim to the other tire. Does this make sense? Same front tires. just find the center line from front to back on the inside and use both ends of the rim to measure across. This will give you an idea if your allignment is off. I use measurements from the rims because tires can bulge out in areas. If your steering wheel is off center, just jack up the front and turn the wheels side to side to find the exact center. Then you will need to remove your lower steering shaft U-joint from the gear box and re-position it until the steering wheel is straight. I have a rebuilt for $300 free shipping. I charge $50 for labor if you ship it to and from with the repair kit.

 

LRD2&ME sorry I didn't clarify. It was my steering wheel that is crooked. When I remove the u-joint and shaft, do I need to place grease or anything when putting it back into the gearbox? This is my second gearbox and hopefully I don't need to rebuild it, but I would hold my breath. This weekend I'll correct my steering wheel. Thanks a million LRD2&ME

 

I would leave the shaft dry. But clean it off real well to keep the splines in good order.