609albert Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 my 1954 mack LS85 (fire truck) has what I would call excess play in steering wheel(over 2'') .new tie rod ends didn't help, Is their an adjustment on the steering box ? or is the box just worn , 44K miles Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/49159-excess-steering-play/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 (edited) There is an adjustment at the box for the end play on the sector shaft, It's a jam nut and a screw. There is a Factory procedure and someone may have the specs. I did mine a 1/4 turn at a time on the road to drive it and set the play close to where I liked it with no binding To tight will eat the box. But,are Drag Link ends are okay? Wheel bearings adjusted correctly? Those will add to the play too. Edited March 16, 2017 by 41chevy Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/49159-excess-steering-play/#findComment-364672 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kscarbel2 Posted March 16, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 16, 2017 Jack up the front axle and note if the steering gear's pitman arm is turning when you move the steering wheel in the amount you feel "play". If it's not turning, as Paul said, experiment by, after loosening the adjusting screw's lock nut on the steering gear, turning it in a 1/4 turn at a time. You want to rotate the steering wheel lock-to-lock and note any binding (which would mean you need to back out the screw to the point you don't feel any binding). Some steering gears have a high point that you need to watch out for. You can't adjust tighter than that high point of the worm shaft. 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/49159-excess-steering-play/#findComment-364675 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Thanks for the info. I have the Mack book to check the specs. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/49159-excess-steering-play/#findComment-364754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Also keep in mind that the large steering wheels used on these trucks will really accentuate any play in the box. We are used to a small steering wheel and power steering on everything these days, so even a relatively minor amount of play feels huge now. 1 Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/49159-excess-steering-play/#findComment-364775 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackpro Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Is it a power steering box? Some of the older TRW boxes have lots of play until the the engine is started. I think it was the HF64. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/49159-excess-steering-play/#findComment-364781 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.