Crimmy

All suspension parts are brand new. Steering wheel and shaft move. Pitman arm does not until wheel hits a certain point. Once the pitman arm moves everything moves in unison.

DFlintstone

It's nothing to trifle with. Pros might tell you it doesn't work, but has for me, once on my 66 Ford F250, and once on one of my 90"s. Too tight will trash the steering box, and it's tempting to over tighten it. Just pull the E-fan. On top of the box is a large nut, then the shaft it's on has an allen, 3/16" IIRC. I had a great photo of it I can't find, (yet!) Radi coached me a little differently, involving having it loose, then creeping up on it 1/8 turn at a time.

Radi
CF Veteran

Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,296

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To adjust that nut on top (sector shaft preload), center the steering wheel by turning full left, then counting the turns to full right, then coming back left 1/2 the full number of turns.
Loosen the locknut while holding the center screw in place.
Adjust the center screw clockwise until you feel resistance.
Adjust the center screw back counter-clockwise 1/8 turn.
Tighten locknut while holding center screw in place.
Go for a drive- pay careful attention to see if the steering still returns to center and there is no binding when it passes the center position. If you have either, turn the adjustment back counterclockwise 1/8 turn and try again.
If you still have steering slop, the box is worn internally and needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

Note this is NOT the approved method of adjustment. The correct method involves removing the box and measuring the resistance passing through center with an inch-pound torque wrench....but it'll get you close.

investinwaffles

Adjust the steering box, I got mine rebuilt for $70 locally by this guy that does killer work, completely changed the way my Jeep feels on the highway - all the rest of my suspension is basically new.

4wheeldrivenewbie

yes i have found that trying to tighten a old box only works for maybe 6 months if that then the rest of the box will break down like others have said . so the best thing you can do is replace your box but it is a pain and you will need a new spacer the old one will prolly break if it is not already cracked.

If you plan on running big tires just get the durango upgrade 99 durango box without snow plow package.

Anything over a p235 can be hard on a factory box once you feel play just buy the 70$ box and dont bother tighening anything on the old box just pull it out and scrap it.

Death wabble just gets worse and worse and vibration in the wheel.

it will start at 65 you might feel a slight shake and think your tires are out of balance or no good maybe a broken belt and you might try to tighten the steering then after you hit a few good bumps and pot holes you will notice that now at 60mph you have a shake then eventually it will seem at 55 then 50 and so on