Steering Box Issue? Adjustment?

[bowtiefreak]

Ok, the tahoe got inspected today, awesome!

My guy mentioned the steering is loose. The box was replaced 5 years ago or there abouts. Not many miles on the truck since then, it is not leaking either.

He mentioned that I might be able to adjust it by tightening a screw on it. Someone please enlighten me on this and pictures or a diagram (sunlit!) would help. The steering is very soft and takes no pressure to turn when compared to the suburban.

Let me know your thoughts, thanks!

 

[992dr]

I have the same problem with my AGR box. I contacted them and he sent me some directions on what to do.

This was what he sent me, I printed it out and just typed it out. Man, I suck at typing

The first adjustment is the input of the boxwhere the steering shaft comes in. There is a 2" jam ring, back it off, and then under it are 2 holes for a spanner wrench. What you do is tighten the inner peice like you would wheel beerings i.e. seat it tight then loosen, then go back and finger tight so there is no play on the preload but your over tightening the thrust bearings. When you are done the shaft may still move side to side but as you turn the shaft there should be no trace of in and out movement.

The second adjustment is the allen on top of the box; this preloads the sector shaft that your pitman arm connects to. What you do is put the front tires in the air, engine off the whole time, set the steering at center or straight ahead with the tires. On sawginaw boxes the flat spot on the input shaft will befacing up. You will then break the jam nut loose, screw down the allen until the teeth touch inside the box you will have to feel for it as the allen will get harder to turn, do not confuse this with the initial breaking loose of loctite. The teeth should be 1/4 to no more than 2 turns down, normally you should still have at least a couple of threads showing. From there takethe input or the steering wheel and turn it both directions back and forth across center, as you dothat slowly turns the allen tighter until you feel a light drag across center, not drag so big that you will feel the engine running but a light drag is very important. What you have done is taken the play out of the teeth then preloaded the sector shaft into the needle bearings which will keep it from moving left to right at the pitman arm. Relock all jam nuts
making sure that adjusters do not move.

 

[bowtiefreak]

hmmmm. Well, thank you. I will play with it tomorrow night.

Again, this is helpful, thanks.

 

[992dr]

Thats what I felt when he sent it to me. Hmmmmm
Sorry, no diagrams. Figured Sunlit would've dropped in by now.
I have yet to try this out. When I install my drop spindles is when I plan on trying this out. Hopefully it will work.
I hope this helps you out.
Good Luck

 

[bowtiefreak]

did he mention if the box needs to come out for the first adjustment. I read a write up on FSC that he removed his to do this, BUT it looked like it could be done in the truck so I am curious

 

[SunlitComet]

Sorry Bowtie, I had missed your post:

Steering gear should be removed first.



Worm Bearing Preload

Fig. 12 Adjuster plug nut removal

1. Loosen and remove adjuster plug nut.

Fig. 4 Adjuster plug removal

1. Turn adjuster plug clockwise using spanner wrench tool J-7624 or equivalent, until plug and thrust bearing are firmly bottomed in housing.
2. Scribe an index mark on the housing even with a hole on adjuster plug.

Fig. 13 Adjuster plug alignment mark

1. Measure back 3/16 - 1/4 inch from first index mark and scribe a second index mark.
2. Rotate adjuster plug counterclockwise until hole is aligned with second index mark.
3. Install adjuster plug nut, tighten to specifications.

Fig. 14 Stub shaft torque reading

1. Using an inch-pound torque wrench and a 12-point deep socket, measure torque required to turn stub shaft. Take reading with handle of torque wrench near vertical position. Turn stub shaft to right stop, then back 1/4 turn at an even rate. Record torque reading.
2. Torque reading should be 4-10 inch lbs. If not, adjuster plug may not be tightened properly or may have turned during adjuster plug nut installation. Thrust bearings and races may also be damaged.

Over Center Preload

Fig. 15 Stub shaft alignment

1. Turn pitman shaft adjuster screw counterclockwise until fully extended, then reverse 1/2 turn clockwise.
2. Rotate stub shaft from stop to stop and count number of turns.
3. Starting at either stop, turn stub shaft halfway back. When gear is centered, flat on stub shaft will face upward and be parallel with side cover.
4. Place torque wrench on stub shaft and rotate 45° each side of center. Record highest drag torque measured on or near center.
5. Adjust over-center drag torque by loosening adjuster screw jam nut and turning pitman shaft adjuster screw clockwise until correct drag torque is obtained.
6. On new steering gears, add 6-10 inch lbs. torque to previously measured worm bearing preload torque. Do not exceed a total steering gear preload of 18 inch lbs.
7. On used steering gears, add 4-5 inch lbs. torque to previously measured worm bearing preload torque. Do not exceed a total steering gear preload of 14 inch lbs.
8. Install and tighten adjuster screw jam nut to specifications.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

i had this done to mine and it made it worse but i was told that this was a possibility so just be prepared i replaced my box i think it came out too 500 and somthing

 

[SunlitComet]

It certainly would be easier. Remmaned unit are available for $200. And individual parts are available for DIY repair.

 

[the big blue bus]

idk if this is my problem but my steering is soooo loose. my front end parts are in check. im going to see if replaceing the rag will cure it but if not idk what to do. its really bad driving it and hard to control at times. seems like theres play in the colum maybe, idk how to check and pin point the area of concern.

 

[992dr]

did he mention if the box needs to come out for the first adjustment. I read a write up on FSC that he removed his to do this, BUT it looked like it could be done in the truck so I am curious

He did not, I figured that it was possible to do this while it was in the truck.
Who really wants to pull the steering box out, hah. From looking at it, it seems like a doable job while in the truck. I think, hah. I have to go look again.


the big blue bus,
Have you had an alignment lately? How is the air presure in your tires?
I replaced everything accept for my ball joints. I still have steering issues. Hopefully, this will resolve my problem. I'm going to replace my ball joints and lower steering shaft while I'm doing this. That along with my spindles.

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 PM ----------

This is wierd. Sunlit, I noticed that when I was reading the thread, your images are different than what is being explained. Then when I replied, it's the right images. Now its something totally different than the first time. Hah.