How do you adjust the steering gear on a GM Truck?

How do you adjust the steering gear on a GM Truck?

Now, turn the sector shaft adjusting screw until a steering shaft torque of 3 – 6 in lbs more is required to move the worm through the center point. Tighten the sector shaft locknut to 35 ft lbs and recheck the sector mesh adjustment. Total steering gear preload should be 14 in lbs or less.

How can you tell if a steering gearbox is on center?

However its not difficult to tell if a gearbox is on center. The majority of steering gearbox brands, power & manual, have gaps in the pitman shaft splines that tell you if it’s at center; the input shaft provides a clue too. Most pitman shafts are indexed with 4 large spline gaps.

How does the ratio of the power steering gearbox work?

Power Steering Ratio Feel Explained The ratio of your power steering gearbox will determine how quickly your vehicle reacts to your steering input. The steering valve is what gives you the feel of the road. This is often spec’d out in torsion bar size.

How to adjust the steering gear on a 1974 Saginaw truck?

If you are interested the procedure for adjusting the Saginaw gearbox can be found at: http://www.partsmikeparts.com/saginaw_steering_box_adjustment.htm The nut and screw adjust Worm bearing Preload and Sector shaft mesh. NOTE! The steering gear must be out of the vehicle to adjust it on all 1974 and later Saginaw rotary gear units.

Now, turn the sector shaft adjusting screw until a steering shaft torque of 3 – 6 in lbs more is required to move the worm through the center point. Tighten the sector shaft locknut to 35 ft lbs and recheck the sector mesh adjustment. Total steering gear preload should be 14 in lbs or less.

If you are interested the procedure for adjusting the Saginaw gearbox can be found at: http://www.partsmikeparts.com/saginaw_steering_box_adjustment.htm The nut and screw adjust Worm bearing Preload and Sector shaft mesh. NOTE! The steering gear must be out of the vehicle to adjust it on all 1974 and later Saginaw rotary gear units.

How much should I preload my steering gear?

Total steering gear preload should be 14 in lbs or less. Install the pitman arm and replace back in vehicle. To try and adjust the sector shaft screw without doing the preceding will DAMAGE the steering gear. Most of the play is not in the sector shaft adjustment, it is the spool valve area.

What to do if your steering shaft is sloppy?

Tighten the thrust bearing locknut and recheck preload. Slowly rotate the steering shaft several times, then center the steering on high point. Now, turn the sector shaft adjusting screw until a steering shaft torque of 3 – 6 in lbs more is required to move the worm through the center point.