taking the slack out of a manuel steering box.

[killakobra]

is there any adjustment on the box to get rid of some steering wheel play? i just replaced the rag joint and there is still a little less than 1/4 turn of play in the wheel.

[fordman]

yes you can adjust the bolt on top of the box. it only takes about a 1/4 turn at a time i read. i have never done it. what you are doing is rising or lowering the steerign box main shaft to mesh better with the steeering shaft gear inside the box.

[mr_josh]

This is how I've always taken slack out of a steering box:

Jack the front wheels off the ground and center the wheel (front wheels pointed straight ahead).

Loosen the lock nut on the sector shaft adjustment bolt

With a large screw driver, slowly tighten the adjustment bolt until it bottoms out, then tighten 1/4 turn.

While holding the bolt in place with the screwdriver, tighten down the lock nut.

Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock to make sure that it doesn't bind. Lower the truck.