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Can someone explain...

radioouman

radioouman

Diamond Member
93 Dodge Dakota 4x4 without rack & pinion steering.

When I loosen the lock nut, I can only turn the adjuster screw about 180 degrees with a hex head wrench. So I tried to tighten it slightly this weekend, and it is just a little too tight. It won't return to center without some significant effort, so I would like to back it off. However, I don't understand how to back if off. I've tried several positions within that 180 degrees and nothing changes. Do I need to try to turn the screw beyond 180 degrees?
 
Adjustments only need to be done at an 1/8th of a turn at a time. If you have tightened it too much, you can damage the steering box.

In my experience, by the time I have adjusted my steering box, it is already on the way out. In fact, once an adjust occurred one day (and a few dozen miles) prior to the entire steering box deciding to puke the contents all over the garage.

How long has there been excessive play?
 
There has been excessive play for the last two years (40,000 miles). I checked tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm, etc. and the only component with play was the steering gearbox.
 
It may be time for a rebuild or a remanufactured box, if that is the case. It's an easy change, if you do decide to replace it.
 
That is my last resort.... I did the same thing on a 1975 Plymouth Duster, and the mechanic who fixed it was a friend of the family and he fixed it while I he drilled out a shock bolt that I broke off. He died about a year ago, and I don't know how he did it. The front end is very tight now and it doesn't tend to steer as I go over bumps. I wonder if it will loosen with time?
 
You will most definately eat up the innards keeping as is.

A steering box is fairly simple. There is a shaft in the back heading from the steering wheel, a pitman arm coming out the bottom with a pitman nut. This mofo is hard to get off, but it is possible. I have had success with powerful impact wrench. After those two things, all that is left is 2-3 bolts to the frame.

three bolts, a shaft, and an arm. Sounds like my lovelife 😛
 
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