Wihle changing my oil, waiting for it all to drain out (I'm veyr anal and let it sit for a long while), I decided to take a look at my loose steering. It looks like most of the looseness I"m getting is in the box. I decided to try and adjust the box to make it tighter. However, while I know that the adjusting screw (Allen-head, right?) is left-hand-thread, what thread's the locknut that goes around the adjusting screw? It doesn't want to turn either way, and I figure I'd better find out which way it turns before putting serious pressure on it.

Thanks! And I know that the adjusting screw itself should only be turned until you begin to feel resistance...

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1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
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Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
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Warden,
There seems to be lots of info on this but do a search. The threads turn the normal way except to adjust you turn the center stud ccw or out not in like on US cars. I recommend backing off the locknut, turning the adjuster out 1/8-1/4turn at a time and see how it goes. Adjust only enough to take out the play. If you go to far you will cause excess wear in the box. RT

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I got the box tightened...steering's pretty nice now, although I still need to replace the guide rod mounts...

Thanks!

Warden;

If after you make your steering adjustment, you feel as if the car seems to be drifting back and forth (or left and right) subtly? If so, then you have tightened it too much. You cannot remove all the play from this box. There should be about a half inch or so play at the rim of the wheel.

Are you in the bay area again?

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Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
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1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
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1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
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1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

Yes, I'm in the Bay Area; have been since January. I was just down in Southern California to visit family.

There's a bit of wander, but there always has been...I need to replace the right front brake caliper (I rebuilt it when I did the brakes, but it wasn't good enough), and as well as the guide rod mounts, I'm sure there's more that needs to be done.

And I think there's still about 1/2" or so of movement of the wheel before it turns the wheels...it may be a bit tight. Before, it was moving a good 2 inches