Other Generations of Dodge with loose - goose steering?

[Mopar1973Man]

Like before I left for my Camping trip I spun another 1/4 turn tighter on the steering gear box and the steering is near perfect. Tight and wander free even with a 8,000 pound trailer yanking on the rear bumper.

[flagmanruss]

If it's so simple...  and I really hope it is a goodfix...     Why are long standing, highly thought of, front end shops oblivious to this?  Duhh!!   It certainly is where I'm going to start. 

 

Good melting going on today & looks like most ofthe week...  everyone of working on ice dams.  We've got one tiny spot in the kitchen with a water spot.  We've been applying long dark socks with ice melt with a pole with a hook, crossing the ice dam & it is quickly cutting a drain path. 

[Mopar1973Man]

Russ... When you do the adjustment do it slow and little at a time. Most will suggest you do it following the FSM directions.

 

There is a WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD (Page 19-17 of 2001 FSM). This is at the input side of the gear box and there is a very large jam nut and adjustment plug.

 

Then there is the other adjustment PITMAN SHAFT OVER-CENTER PRELOAD (19-17 of the 2001 FSM). Standard nyloc nut and a Allen set screw. Turn the allen inwards. I typically do it in 1/4 turn amounts.

 

If either adjustment is done wrong it could lead to damaging the gear box as some have reported to me. But most people don't want to pull entire steering box out to just the slack out of it.

[flagmanruss]

Is there a good link to the Factory Service Manual?   The second adsjustment was what was stripped out of my 80 Challenger when my ex returned it. 

[Mopar1973Man]

As far as I know all the download links are functional.

[flagmanruss]

Found it.  I hadn't looked in the Download section.  Not in the Articles.   

No, I don't want to pull (or have pulled) the gearbox just to take the slack out of it.  If it can be done in the vehicle, it would save a lot of time.  If Worn thrust preload has to be redone, I think I'm gonna need to get help with this.   

Edited March 10, 2015 by flagmanruss

[flagmanruss]

I wonder what causes this?   Lot's of vehicles go their whole lives & never need steering box adjusted...  or used to...   

[Mopar1973Man]

I've had to adjust my 72 Dodge Power Wagon, 73 Dodge Charger, 76 Dodge Motorhome... From what I found is wear and tear from debris is the biggest factor. Like I'm due to change the power steering fluid very soon on my truck again its dark and getting a burnt / well used smell now.