Steering gear box

[Orland Dewey]

Hello anyone;

Has anyone ever found out how to adjust the adjustment for the steering gear box at the end of
the steering shaft. It has a lock nut and a sock
et head bolt screw for the adjuster.

Does anyone know the proper adjustment technique
to help control the wondering of steering while
driving.. I know it cannot be very tight as the
steering will not operate properly.

Thanks for any help.

ODD

[swebster]

Not sure if this is correct but I used to have the same box style on my CJ7 Jeep so I used the same procedure on my 345.

I loosened the locknut, then tightened the inner set screw with a screwdriver. Then I snugged up the lock nut and while holding the lock nut I backed out the set screw about 1/4 turn. Then tightened the lock nut back up

This seemed to cure some of my road wandering issues.

Certainly look for other advice from more members as I'm not entirely sure I did this to factory specs...more like farmer specs.

[Orland Dewey]

Thanks steve,

I did about what you suggested and it did seem to
help. I also own or have owned several GM vehicles and that is how we adjusted them. I was
hoping that we could get more replys from other
members/readers with more input. Will have
to wait and see.

Thanks ODD

[overlander63]

Originally posted by Orland Dewey
Thanks steve,

I did about what you suggested and it did seem to
help. I also own or have owned several GM vehicles and that is how we adjusted them. I was
hoping that we could get more replys from other
members/readers with more input. Will have
to wait and see.

Thanks ODD

ODD, check the idler arm (s) for up and down play. That will also cause loose steering and a wandering motor home.
The best way to check if it is the gear worn, or anotther problem, is to have someone else move the wheel back and forth as far as it goes without moving the wheels. Any part that has movement into it, and does not pass it along in kind, needs replaced. A bad tie-rod end will have the linkage move, but it will not move the tire/wheel assembly. Your front wheel bearings could be loose. Jack up the front end and grab the top and bottom of the tire. try to wiggle it back and forth. If it moves, the bearings will have to be adjusted or replaced. You could also have bad ball joints. The test for them is a little more involved, so I won't go into it here. If all else fails, you can take it to a shop that aligns trucks and motorhomes, and ask them for a grocery list, then take the coach back home and replace the items on the list at your leisure.

Now that I've rambled on about all the bad things it could be, check the tire pressure in the rear, a low rear tire can cause the front to wander.
Terry

[Orland Dewey]

Thanks Steve,

I have done all the things you suggested. All check out real good. I had one problem with to
much play and located it at the two pivot points
of the steering system.

Driver side is called Idler arm pivot "bracket"
assy. and the passenger side is called Relay arm
pivot"bracket" assy. The both have replacable sleeve bearings. Both side have the same sleeve bearing.
they are avaible from GMC and are about $14.00 per
each. They also have a seal type washer that goes
on each side. 2.00 each. The Shafts looked good
but had to be pushed out in my Hydraulic Press.

The big problem is that they have to be hand honed
to match the shaft as they are about .003/.004 to
small for the shaft. Most garages are going to sell you the whole assembly as its a bolt off/bolt on package. price?? I would guess a couple of hundered dollars per side plus labor to
install them. They are not going to spend there time honing and fitting a shaft and sleeves!

I think they go bad because they are not greased
regularly.

I sure had a hard time getting the correct information to order parts and identify the parts
I needed.

As to the steering box adjustment. I just wanted
to take that particular item that was left and do
a good job on it. Everything else seems real good
at this time.