dfreeman616
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- grand rapids mi
ok so i followed these directions:
after doing that adjustment, i get deathwobble at around 45 mph, slightly more, on a road that just yesterday i was doing 55 on fine, even with a loose steering box. what gives? any suggestions? i've got friday and part of saturday before i have to make a 600 mile trip, so please help! i can't afford a new box just yet, so is there anything i might be able to do?
Eagle said:A replacement steering box is going to cost you probably $350 or so.
Matthew is correct, the over-center lash adjustment should be approached with caution. Technically, you're supposed to take the box out of the vehicle and adjust the worm bearing preload before messing with the over-center adjustment. However ... if you're ready to buy a replacement box anyway, you really have nothing to lose by trying an adjustment first. Unless you're one of those drivers who churns the wheels from one side to the other when the vehicle isn't moving (which will kill a steering box AND the tie rod ends AND the drag link real quick), your box should not be too worn to adjust.
You'll need access to the top of the steering box, which means pulling the air box. Looking down at the top of the steering box, you'll see a cover plate held on with three bolts, and in the center is a stud with either a slotted end or a recessed hex drive, with a lock nut. That's the adjuster.
Procedure: First ensure that the wheels are pointed straight ahead. THIS IS CRITICAL. The box is looser off-center -- if you adjust it off-center, it'll be too tight over center and will either wear out quickly or bind up. Then shut off the engine but leave the key in the unlocked position so the steering wheel can turn.
I don't remember what size wrench fits the locknut. Use a box end wrench, not a socket. Use the hex wrench to hold the adjuster screw while you loosen the lock nut a couple of turns.
Having done that, you can grab the steering input shaft with your right hand and turn it far enough each side of center to feel where it has free play and when it starts to actually try to move the tires. Just keep moving it back and forth across the center point as you gently take up on the adjuster. You want to take almost all the free play out of it, but leave just a tiny bit to ensure that you haven't over-cooked it. Once you have adjusted out the free play, tighten up the locknut again, replace the air box, and go for a test drive.
If the adjuster bottoms out before the free play disappears, the box is toast.
after doing that adjustment, i get deathwobble at around 45 mph, slightly more, on a road that just yesterday i was doing 55 on fine, even with a loose steering box. what gives? any suggestions? i've got friday and part of saturday before i have to make a 600 mile trip, so please help! i can't afford a new box just yet, so is there anything i might be able to do?