Posted by Nick [172.68.141.175] on Sunday, April 07, 2019 at 20:10:01 :
So after yet another funeral of a retired CDF person that the family requested my truck in CDF garb, I came home and put the truck on jack stands, want to address the steering problem and a few other minor issues that have been nagging at me.
I think THIS time I found a possible culprit.
Today I took the steering wheel off and removed the column and box. Took the box completely apart and totally cleaned and degreased it. Put it back together dry to test fit everything. No slop. All nice and snug. The arm didnt move side to side on the worm gear. So I figured ok, cool, taking it apart did something. So I greased it all back up and reassembled. Back to about 1/4" slop on the arm. So I took the cover back off. And thats when I saw it.
The square locking plate that holds the head of the adjusting screw was not in the slots of the three tooth arm. Just the head was in the slots. I guess the grease pushed it out when I reassembled and I didn't see it with all the corn head grease in the way. I slipped the lock plate back in the slots and reassembled. All is now tight and full range of steering. Almost dinner time, so I think tomorrow I will reinstall and check for slop while its up on jack stands. Its possible I didn't have the plate in the slots the first time either, due to the grease and me being stupid and not paying attention.
Tomorrow I plan on ordering some t-bolts and eventually replacing all the rear end studs to eliminate the stripped axle case leaking oil.
Ill update the steering outcome when I finish all the other repairs
Nick
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