sootnsmoke

I have an inch or two of side to side slop in the steering wheel. After thoroughly checking all front end components, they are tight. Wheels/hubs are tight as well. I can grab the steering shaft by hand through the wheel well and turn it the same disance left or right prior to resistance (matches what play I have at steering wheel). The range of travel is coming from the steering box and not the shaft or any chassis components. The truck goes down the highway with no wonder, no swerve when braking or any other issues. Just an inch or so of loose play at the wheel. I have found and read a couple other posts about the adjustment screw and lock nut at the top of the steering box for adjusting out some play. However, I have read some conflicting info. Some say this can be done and it is important to only turn adjusting nut 1/16 inch, test drive then make sure there is no noise or binding and play has improved. Repeat if needed. I have also read another post saying don't do this as any adjustment must done done with a bearing pre-load adjustment with the steering box out of the vehicle? Just want to verify before proceeding.

Jklawinsky

Turning it slightly shouldn't hurt it but going crazy is a fast way to tear it up. I have to adjust mine and have no plans of taking it out if the truck.

fitter48093

I adjusted mine 1/4 of a turn at a time. It took 1/2 turn to bring it back to saginaw gear spec (only thing I could find). So I have about 3/8" off center either direction befor the pitman arm turns. I have run the truck about 1000 miles since adjustment with no ill effects. It turns nice and tight and handles like a dream.

sootnsmoke

Sounds good.
I did call a suspension shop earlier today. Shop said the adjustment (via adjustment screw) is done at the factory and the slop is created by internal worm gear wearing over time. When the adjusting screw is later used to eliminate the play caused by wear on the worm gear/internal components it then increases wear on the gear quickly but does reduces the play temporarily. So, not sure if adjusting it is a good thing given it will just quickly wear out the box???

MARF75

its probably headn out anyways, might as well make it drive good for the last part of it`s life

sootnsmoke

Probably true. I haven't found any assisted living or retirement centers that accept terminally ill steering boxes. Might as well turn up the morphine

sootnsmoke

Good info on steering box operation and adjustment:

http://www.stangerssite.com/adjustment.html

Jklawinsky

Mines pretty new and only a couple thousand miles on it. After the first few hundred miles i noticed it got a little looser so I'm thinking maybe it just broke in? It's an agr pump

sootnsmoke

What did the AGR steering box run you?

Jklawinsky

Haha just noticed I said pump... Anyways.. I'm not sure man, it was JUST put on when I bought the truck.

Bogie

The slop will not be adjusted out buy the screw and lock nut this is for over center adjustment. The problem lies in the bearing preload. Dodge TSB shows how to adjust this

sootnsmoke

If I am reading the TSB correctly, it states to do the over center adjustment first and proceed to the bearing preload adjustment if the over center adjustment does not eliminate the loose steering condition. Based on this, the slop MAY end up being adjusted out by the over center adjustment. Am I missing something? Also, this TSB applies to 94-98 2nd gen steering boxes. Is the adjustment applicable to 1st gen steering boxes?

Bogie

I have always adjusted the preload first I am fairly sure that's how it is in the FSM, all the other Saginaw box rebuild instructions state to do the preload first.