Got a new steering box installed under warrenty on a 2003. Left the next day on a 5000 mile trip to the west coast. The steering feels a little slack. I remember back years ago I used to adjust the steering box by loosening the locknut and then adjusting the inner nut down, but kind of forgot it you tighten in down and then back it off by a certain about. Anyway if anyone has any advise on this, let me know. I really down't want to take it to a dealer and do all that waiting around, etc.

In the old days I used to just tighten the center stud until you just felt resistance (not much). Hold onto it tight while you tighten the lock nut. If you tighten it too much, the box will lock as you turn so be be careful.


DaveEdited by: byronlj

I remember back years ago I used to adjust the
steering box by loosening the locknut and then adjusting the inner nut
down, but kind of forgot it you tighten in down and then back it off by
a certain about. Anyway if anyone has any advise on this, let me know.
I really down't want to take it to a dealer and do all that waiting
around, etc.


Well, if you're truck is like my 02 HD -- and it probably is -- then
that's exactly what you do; loosen the lock nut and tighten the
allen-head adjustment screw in the center. But be careful how much you
turn it. For my truck a 1/4 was a little too much and I had to back it
down a hair. It doesn't take much twisting to make a difference.

That was NEVER the correct way to adjust a steering box, just some backyard mechanics quickfix. Just because others have done it doesn't make it right. http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif


All your doing by messing around with the adjuster on top of the box is incorrectly setting the pre-load on the pitman shaft (that's what it's for), & mis-aligning it to the sector shaft. What feels to you like 'steering tightness' is actually 'gear binding'


Buy a manual or locate a good mechanic to adjust steering boxes (before you cause an accident) http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

I give mine 6 full turns once a year for good measure.



Never had a problem.........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif