Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogviler
Adjusted my steering box in 2011, still as good as it was. Still curious why they designed them to be so sloppy from the factory though.
I know, "It WaS dEsIgNeD tO dO 300 MpH oN tHe AuToBaHn!!" or some such.
And of course they also designed it with an adjustment that must not be adjusted. Probably too many fumes from the markers when they were sketching out the steering system.
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They weren't designed "sloppy from the factory." Recirculating ball steering boxes are pretty precise and provide incredibly smooth operation, but as they have half a dozen more joints in the system than a rack and pinion setup, there's always going to be more play. A rack and pinion setup can have play in the rack, and two end connections which can each have play. Compare that to a recirculating ball setup which can have box play, center link play on both ends, tie rod play on both ends, and an idler arm with play; and you have more sources of play in the system.
The issue is that over time you'll see more play in a recirculating ball system than a rack and pinion, and it will be more expensive to replace.
The "adjustment nut" isn't really for adjusting play out of the system after long term use. It's there to adjust the initial lash/spacing between the teeth of the pitman arm shaft and the working piston. Yes, it can be used to compensate for wear, but only so much. Reconditioning the seals of the box, refreshing the pump and maintaining the steering linkage will do much more than touching that screw.