how to adjust steering box?

Corvair box is tight in the middle. Unscrewed screw about 3/4 to one full turn. No difference. (Maybe it's a little less tight (maybe) but notchy).

It's been a long time but seems I recall that one turn should make a HUGE difference.

I tapped the pitman shaft with soft hammer thinking I would set it over against the loosened screw. But I just hit it very lightly because I'm afeared of messing up. Anyway, no improvement.


What do I do?

 

The steering box is supposed to be tight in the middle, it should take some torque to turn it.

 

Thanks for the reply. I should have been more clear.........it's clearly too tight.

 

You could loosen the adjustment a long ways, and tap the pitman shaft in pretty far so it has no tightness at all, then get out your torque wrench and slowly tighten the screw until the specified torque is required to turn the other shaft over center.

 

Before you make any pitman adjustment, check the bearings on the worm. (BIG nut on end)

1. replace bearings/pitted races as necessary.
2. Adjust worm to spec. (big nut and lock spanner on end)
3. Adjust pinion like Squirrel specified.

 

And if it still doesn't feel right...take it apart and figure out why.

 

It's only stiff for about one turn in the center. The two other full turns to the left or right are very smooth (this is with the linkage removed so I can feel the way box turn quite clearly.

Since it's very smooth I don't think the bearings or preload are really at fault.

I'll try unscrewing it a couple full turns. Tapping the shaft is OK?

 

Yeah, it is a big chunk of hard steel, not much you can hurt there.

 

Get the factory repair manual and follow it to the letter. Do not monkey around. You can adjust the box "by ear" and it will seem OK then wear out in a month. Hate to tell you how I found this out .