How to adjust a Steering Gearbox by Howstuffinmycarworks

[@henryhalbuer1359]

I just made your recommended adjustment on my 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab with 108,000 miles on it (Built in Mexico-bought in Colorado). There was enough play in the wheel (about 10 degrees) that made hway driving a bit of a pain in the ace because the truck would wander a bit. I've just had the ball joints replaced and an alignment done. I'm driving on new Michelins - stock size on 16" rims - newly mounted and balanced. I'd already bought that nylon bushing with the zip tie but did NOT install it after reading blogs about the cheezy-ness of it. I also bought the pitman arm bracket - haven't installed it yet either because I first wanted to see how your adjustment worked. I had my kid operate the power steering with the engine running and I checked all of the steering components and linkage from under the truck. Everything looked fine except for the slop in the steering box. There was also a bit of play/slop at the top of the system where the shaft meets the firewall (I may install that nylon bushing after all...maybe). Bottom Line: I only added 1/4 of one turn tighter on the adjustment hex screw and I do see a noticeable improvement on local roads at 40 MPH. Looking forward to seeing how the truck tracks on the hway at 70 MPH. If it's still a bit sloppy, I'm going to torque another 1/4 turn on that adjustment screw. Tools used: PB Blaster on the nut / 16mm box wrench for the nut and 3/8" hex wrench for the adjustment screw. Adjustment performed from under the truck on a creeper.

[@andersn5196]

This adjustment really improved the steering... and value of my old Ford Ranger. For the first time it is fun to drive it. Many thanks form Anders in Mälarhöjden, Sweden!!!!!!!!!!

[@JP-ir2eq]

Just brought home '97 Ranger with this problem and your video helped me to fix it myself. Thank you.

[@rickdaenell9110]

Worked great on my 66 Mustang. Great refresher haven't done one in 40 years. Thanks

[@giskard80]

Spot on. you don't need to take a lot on that adjustment screw to lose a LOT of play. Go slow, and make sure NEVER tighten it so much that the steering will not return to center after turning a corner and letting the wheel slide in your hand. If you reach this point, you went too far, time to look for play somewhere else..like the intermediate shaft. I just took a 1/4 turn on mine, and it took a ton of slop away. \On the downside, doing this is only feasible a couple of times. You will find that after adjusting it the first time, the slop will return faster each time between adjustments. When its more than twice a year, you should go find a decent steering box and change it out rather than keep pushing your luck with the old one. A couple times, maybe 3, and be looking for a box, they are fairly easy to change, they are always covered in oil, ect, bolts usually back out easily.

[@dee1380]

I bought all new stuff for my 1990 Ford F-150. I keep gettin told not to adjust a new gearbox, but there is alot of unsafe play in it. Should I adjust my new(remanufactured) gearbox anyways? Everything is new, but still alot of slack..

[@petej.4685]

Just bought an '85 GMC Jimmy with that exact problem. And here I figured I'd just have to replace the gearbox! Going to give it a try.

[@evilvickers]

Thanks for the video, just picked up a cheap 95 F150 with tones of play in the steering and I am going to check to see if the play is in the tie rods and check/adjust the steering box.

[@benjaminfuentes1618]

Thank you, you explain it very clear and the way you showed it is also great, from PUERTO RICO, BENJAMIN FUENTES

[@hab699]

Great Video! I did this on my 86 F250 and it has tightened it up a lot. It is good to know you can adjust it a few more times if needed before considering replacing the gearbox. Thanks!

[@dannylewandowski2822]

It's nice to be able to drive on a rutted freeway after doing this. Thanks for the awesome vid.

[@tinkmarshino]

outstanding! straight and to the point not like some fellas that want to tell you all about the tools they use.. thanks for you info my friend..

[@SandonMiller1]

Very good video. Other don't describe how far and which direction to turn the nut and screw. Helped me out lots. Thanks.

[@donnierobinson5757]

lol and crying at same time. first of all i love my 87 f150 4x4 had her now for 31 years only have 187,000 miles on her. i been driving for many many years having play in steering. I've had quit a few of mechanics that didn't know this. Most of the front end parts replace or checked. i will do this myself and pray it fixes my issue. Love the video!

[@unknown69813]

Did it work?

[@utube012341]

Great video, to the point and tells people exactly what and why . Very helpful refresher for me as I have done this quite a few times but wondered how others were adjusting. The 1 week wear in is a good idea , I was doing the 1/4 just from experience. I have actually over done it and had a little gear bind but no slipping , I'm thinking slipping would indicate to me a safety problem and would replace the steering box before I drove it anymore.

[@CarlosMartinez-tx5kv]

Thank you I did to my 1973 Camaro and now my steering is a lot better

[@worldofwonders21]

Good Info, but I think if you have to adjust your gearbox again after you do it once, you should just replace it. That usually means it's shot or almost shot! Good video bro!

[@cdpc211]

Thanks for the video. I have the same problem. I need to find my steering gear box first.

[@davidhardin6649]

Good video! I'm going to try this today. Hopefully, this is all that is causing my steering wheel play and wandering.

[@fr0zen5929]

Thank you I'm going to try this on my 88 f150 xlt when I get home from work.

[@donnierobinson5757]

Nick did that work for you? i have a 87 f150 been having same problem for years.

[@Friedrich-Wilhelm-1980]

thank you so much i have 534k miles on my power steering gearbox and i have like 1/4 turn of the wheel this will stop my swerving thank you thank you thankyou

[@kennyl9419]

This answered a huge issue I have had with my truck. Thanks.

[@Ranger-cx2uh]

Explained well, nice notes of caution, Thank you

[@baad89stang]

awesome thanks so much needed this very much because of guys like you things get done

[@thmain1253]

Great video as usual. Quick . to the point. Without a lot of talk. But why all the comments and few likes? Smh.

[@joe7665]

nice video bud, i have tht wondering on my lifted truck ( 03 gmc sierra with 6" lift)

[@MRWHIPPLE81]

DUDE, great video. very easy to follow and understand. WELL DONE

[@adanacro]

Thanks dude, perfect to the point easy to understand and accurate

[@kouroshmemarian3566]

Hi 👋 thanks 🙏🏻 now maybe 🤔 I can fix my steering gearbox!🤝🍀

[@duandicks4192]

Did mine this morning 99 f150 4x4 thanks alot😎

[@nitepipes5708]

just used your info, thanks worked to perfection on 94 f150

[@mymusings1293]

Tutorials like this make me want to live on youtube!

[@konp8685]

Thanks brother. You just saved me a thousand buck from my mechanic.

[@TRIGGER861]

Great vid, thank you. Problem is I cant get the set-screw to move on my 63 Impala. I sprayed some WD-40 on it so maybe tomorrow.

[@elmermtz1]

Thank you for take ur time and share this knowledge

[@williamcrazylacyfurmage9953]

On my 1980 Datsun King Cab with 196,400 miles, I've been turning the screw a little after ea drive because it was really sloppy, I'm now at almost 3/4 of a turn. it does get better ea time. I'll report back

[@mountaindewpower7895]

William CRAZY LACY Furmage UPDATE?

[@timothyarndt2803]

Nice simple video instructions. Thanks!

[@Edgonsantrang]

What would we do without youtube. Ill tell you what... Go to college and pay hundreds of dollars to learn what we just learned here!

[@hmongster357]

amen brother

[@andrewmckinney2161]

eduardo gonzalez but you can't make bank with a youtube degree. shame

[@AerialApertureDPS]

actually, youtubers can make millions of dollars, you just have to be good

[@theactualsalvagedrover]

What the hell college did YOU go to, that only cost "hundreds of dollars"??

[@johnjames4593]

Thousands

[@wickedcity77rg]

Good presentation. Thanks for the video

[@johnwadsworth7086]

I have a 2008 mercury mariner thanks I'm gonna give it a try

[@dennisjordan1244]

jl sports trucks: thanks for tutorial. Greatly appreciated.

[@chasenew1]

This video saved me $550!!!

[@VOOODOOO37]

Excellent to know and great detail, thanks

[@turfpro3756]

I have a 1978 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 that the steering wheel turns about a Full revolution before it starts to turn. I adjusted just over 1/4 turn and tried it and exactly the same amount of play in the steering wheel. I Did confirm the steering shaft is turning where it goes into the steering box. I will now put a mirror or something under the truck and see it output shaft is moving. Is there anything else it can be? I'd appreciate some help cuz I need to use the truck tonight, can't afford to.buy a rebuilt geatbox & never done steering repairs. Appreciate your videos and hope I have some replies to what inside the gearbox can be worn or broken to cause that much play on steering. Thank you, Jerry

[@joshuagulinello659]

If you're going a full turn before getting a response an adjustment probably won't help you. You might want to consider replacing the fear box.

[@dee1380]

I bought all new stuff for my 1990 Ford F-150. I keep gettin told not to adjust a new gearbox, but there is alot of unsafe play in it. Should I adjust my new(remanufactured) gearbox anyways? Everything is new, but still alot of slack..

[@haggardmelon]

Great video, man. Thanks! Doing this today.

[@usedcoma9461]

Thanks that helped I have no mechanical experience

[@sonnyburnett8725]

Had steering gear box seals replaced at a shop and now it steers left VERY lightly but hard to turn right. Can I adjust it so it turns both ways with equal pressure.

[@tylerknaub967]

This is just great. I rebuilt my entire front end from the ball joint to the power steering pump. EVERYTHING is new. Just to find out I only needed a damn adjustment. Just piss away $1,000 on a $2,500 truck why not?

[@imaslowlerner]

You're not alone, I took my 92 4x4 silverado to the shop with the same problem. They told me that I needed a new steering gear box, tie rods, idler arm and top and bottom ball joints, then a wheel alignment for a grand total of $1,365 dollars! Remember, that's one side only. I'm on youtube taking notes..

[@itsraheem]

I also replaced EVERY steering component on my front end. EVERY COMPONENT including steering column. Still has play, tomorrow I will tighten my Refurbished Autozone steering box pray for me.

[@dee1380]

@@itsraheem I did the same in my 1990 Ford F-150. Everyone says don't adjust a new(remanufactured) gearbox. Did it work for u? I have alot of slack in mine..

[@peytonbailey4250]

thanks for the info man big help

[@russapplegate5491]

Good video... Well done!

[@crustyHO]

It's also a good ideal to take note of the adjustment bolt height of the stock setting for reference. Just measure the amount of bolt sticking up from the nut or plate and scribble it down somewhere, like under your hood with a sharpie or on the steering column cover with fingernail polish. Also if someone else ever gets the vehicle from you, they'll thank you for useful information like that if someone ever has to go back and fix whatever you screwed up.

[@arkansasrock]

After adjusting and waiting a week, if it needs adjusted again, how much do I adjust it the 2nd time?

[@gregtrokey5575]

Great job!! Thank You!!

[@ToyotaLand4d56]

Thanks for this video. I tagged this in my related video.

[@cimonkien9833]

good job

[@mattpalumbo275]

I just replaced my steering box on my 95 f250 and I had the steering wheel centered and everything but when I reconnected the column to steering box the steering wheel now sits to the right almost at a 180 degree

[@Tom2312yueyei]

Amazing vid, thanks brother

[@damedicmt]

Thank You, Thank You! 👍👍

[@conquistadortl9892]

You got my subscribe

[@jeff6981]

Well done!!

[@edwardweeks5649]

GREAT VIDEO THANKS!!!

[@prational]

Thanks for the video!

[@raybrensike42]

I was only able to adjust to about 2" of play at the top of the steering wheel, which is a lot of free play. If I continued to adjust, I began to feel a vibration through the steering wheel as well as noise, as if the gears were being bound together, and yet there was still about 2" of free play at the wheel. Then some cold weather came, and for the first 5 miles or so, there was nearly no free play at all, like less than 1/2 " at the steering wheel, but then I suspect the steering fluid warmed up, and then the 2" of play came back again. This leads me to believe that everything else in the steering system is tight. I can not think of anything else that would be affected in that way by temperature. So, what can I use to thicken up my steering fluid? Thinking about this, brings up another question. Can a faulty pump cause steering play?

[@bonsorlife45]

Sounds like you have issues in other places look at your draglink and tie rod ends

[@jonanderson6532]

Your front end is worn out

[@anowarulbari]

Thank you

[@alend175]

Thanks

[@davshaw5]

Video was a great help, thanks.

[@scottmcbride2237]

Ive already tried this plus pit another one in my van. What else could cause a lot of play in the steering?

[@Adrenaline89Junky]

scott mcbride check your bushings for all of your steering components. Then lift the front tires up and grab the tire and wiggle it forward and backwards. If there's play that'll be another issue

[@victortsinnijinnie3214]

My alignment are okay and I've replace all front in but gear box I haven't. All those are okay but when I drive my steering wheel goes to the left. What causes that?

[@MrMariow01]

Victor Tsinnijinnie hi to a answer your question, I read on another video that it is caused by a problem with the piston inside the steering box, in other words there is a clog in the sistem , so more likely you need to replace the steering box, good luck.

[@schawnfleites1555]

You the man!!

[@MyChemMistress]

Thank you.

[@mahdiqurrish1599]

thanks

[@3xoticSparsim]

nice vid. this helped alot!

[@nartleb4life793]

My 2016 silverado got steering play but I can't Find the adjustment bolt

[@JP-kg6wn]

thank you, very well and simple explanation and easy to apply and save my self $600.00 dlls at the crook shop ( mechanics).

[@simptim]

thank you very helpful!!!

[@randym2811]

I just did this to my 91 Chev 1500. I did the 1/4 turn which fixed the sloppy steering issue...but now the power steering pump has started leaking (what a mess). There was no power steering pump leaks previous to this adjustment, and the leak started under 20 miles of driving after the adjustment.

[@jonanderson6532]

No warranty when fixing via KZbin

[@tom_olofsson]

Great video.

[@engalipak]

I have a Nissn Tida 2012.. Despite my mechanic adjusting my steering in a similar way...i keep adjusting my car to maintain a straight line while driving..if i change the track while driving i have to steer it to be straight back on the new track by pulling it a bit in the opposite direction. A car should do it on its own. Its an uncomfortable driving experience all over and the car control is loose and awefull instead of being firm and springy. What car be the issue outside the steering box ?

[@arealassassin]

wheel alignment.

[@donnaharrigan869]

What is the name of your store?

[@bryanwelton1442]

good vid

[@Chuy_Peraza]

Great explanation sir! I only have a few questions first. Do we put the key in the ignition to make the person assisting me to move the steering wheel move or no key in the ignition? Also I messed up loosing the screw and didn’t hold the knot as I was thighed it.. what do I do if I messed up not holding the screw as I thighed it sir?

[@juandeluna4994]

what year is the f 150 in the video? im having the same problem with my 96 f 150 ive already gotten ball joints and tie rods replaced also alignment done

[@scottfree2929]

I wonder if a unscrupulous mechanic shop will keep a car for 10 days, while they tell you they're ordering a new gear box and installing it. for $1000?

[@robertsutton6033]

what if I too far can I just go back the other way

[@crustyHO]

Yes, just don't go back further than what it was previously set to from the factory.

[@garybrown7044]

after buying & selling cars for over 50 years, it hought i'd heard it all untill last sunday. took an antique, restored olds for a test drive. beautiful car, however the steering was so sloppy i could barely keep it on the road. seller told me steering was fine, it was the pavement. pavement looked fine, i guess i should have the "idiot" tatoo taken off my forehead.

[@61rdf]

Very helpful! Thank you