Steering Box Adjustment DIY - Thank You!
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Rookie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 60
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From: Durham, NC
Steering Box Adjustment DIY - Thank You!
i've only had my '95 5.9L 1500 4WD for about a month. it runs and drives great but the steering has so much play in it (1" or 1 1/2"). i figured it was a front end or suspension problem that i'd just have to address later. i saw the DIY for the steering box adjustment yesterday morning and gave it a shot when i got off work yesterday eve.
it only took a few minutes to complete and what a difference! i couldn't get the lock nut to budge at first. i soaked it with PB Blaster and waited about 20 minutes until it was good to go. i had to tighten my hex nut just under 3/4 of a turn to get all the play out. i took it for a test drive immediately after and it feels like a new truck!
i bought the truck with 187k miles on it to use as a work truck and plan to only put a few thousand miles on it per year. i've never owned a truck before and i love this thing. the DIY's and forum are giving me confidence to learn how to perform basic car maintenance on my own.
next project... adjust the steering sleeve so my wheel is centered. right now the wheel sits at about 10:30 or 11 o'clock. i soaked the bolts on the steering sleeve in PB Blaster last night. going to attempt the sleeve adjustment this eve.
kevin
it only took a few minutes to complete and what a difference! i couldn't get the lock nut to budge at first. i soaked it with PB Blaster and waited about 20 minutes until it was good to go. i had to tighten my hex nut just under 3/4 of a turn to get all the play out. i took it for a test drive immediately after and it feels like a new truck!
i bought the truck with 187k miles on it to use as a work truck and plan to only put a few thousand miles on it per year. i've never owned a truck before and i love this thing. the DIY's and forum are giving me confidence to learn how to perform basic car maintenance on my own.
next project... adjust the steering sleeve so my wheel is centered. right now the wheel sits at about 10:30 or 11 o'clock. i soaked the bolts on the steering sleeve in PB Blaster last night. going to attempt the sleeve adjustment this eve.
kevin
Amateur
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38
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From: MA
Sleeve won't turn
I
Did you have any luck getting the seeve to turn? Mine is so badly rusted, soaking with PB blaster has no effect.> I got the bolts out no problem. There is not much room for getting a grip on the sleeve. I'm thinking I may have to cut the sleeve off and replace it with a new one. Has anyone found a source for the a replacement sleeve? I've hunted around the web with no success. Looksl like it may be a dealer only item. Any tips are appreciated.
-jim
Did you have any luck getting the seeve to turn? Mine is so badly rusted, soaking with PB blaster has no effect.> I got the bolts out no problem. There is not much room for getting a grip on the sleeve. I'm thinking I may have to cut the sleeve off and replace it with a new one. Has anyone found a source for the a replacement sleeve? I've hunted around the web with no success. Looksl like it may be a dealer only item. Any tips are appreciated.
-jim
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Ive heard that you can stick a wrench or pry bar in the gap of the sleeve to turn it. This effectively causes the sleeve to 'peel open' making it easier to turn.
Haven't done it myself, but sounds like it should work.
Haven't done it myself, but sounds like it should work.
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Rookie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 60
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From: Durham, NC
hi jim,
yes, a couple hits of PB blaster, a large set of channel locks and a little muscle did the trick for me. my wheel is pretty much centered now but it took me about 10 tries to get it just right. i'd recommend getting an assistant to hold the wheel as you adjust the sleeve.
since my original post, i've added a new tie rod, steering dampener, sway links, 4 new tires and an alignment... it now drives just as well as my mazda6.
carefully prying the sleeve seems like it would work.
yes, a couple hits of PB blaster, a large set of channel locks and a little muscle did the trick for me. my wheel is pretty much centered now but it took me about 10 tries to get it just right. i'd recommend getting an assistant to hold the wheel as you adjust the sleeve.
since my original post, i've added a new tie rod, steering dampener, sway links, 4 new tires and an alignment... it now drives just as well as my mazda6.
carefully prying the sleeve seems like it would work.