G-body Steering Box woes

[Stg1Regal]

In my 82 Regal I put my 86 GN powersteering gear box, it runs off the pump of the 71 455.. works great to an extent.

I have recently been experincing that in a stright line while driving, i feel a loose spot in the steering while at center, seems to "catch" or engage 1" to 1.5" from center.. wich gives me 3" of a loose feel in the wheel.

So I thought replace the rag joint maybe thats bad, so I go all out, and just switch to the Jeep steering Shaft conversion. (BTW) I really like..

Nope... still there... so I find or discover one can adjust the load on the steering box to over come wear, 5/8" jamb nut and 3/16" allen on top of the box.

So I follow close what most of the internet info thats out there and adjust it.. yep now it "seems" tighter.. but still that "loose" spot at the top and bcause of the firmer feel its twicher.. so it seems when i wanna switch lanes, or manuver thru traffic, it very upredictable , you have to "saw" at the wheel.

Tried to adjust it back.. but no avail .....

Any ideas? thoughts....... it is a brand new suspension and tires, done in poly.

kinda heasitant about driving it again after a 4 hr round trip . it was fun:squint:

[canadiantbone]

get a hold of 6spdmalibu , I know that he has just done the same thing & I think he figured it out .

[6spdmalibu]

There is a good write up on it here: http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/boxmesh.shtml
If after you make the adjustments and still have play, have someone turn the wheel back and forth. Then watch for slack/slop in the steering gear. Fix, lube and replace as needed.
hope that helps.

Jerry

[Stg1Regal]

6spdmalibu

I also put in all new linkage... everything.

I tried the "Over Center" adjustment while the Box was still on the car according to the http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/boxmesh.shtml (http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/boxmesh.shtml) tech pages.
the one contributed by J. Matthew Daugherty.

That "numb" feeling on center is still there, so maybe I should remove it and set it up and include thrust bearing preload as done by Jeff Davidson?

Or play only more with the Over Center adjustment?, Like Jeff stated
If the "over center" adjustment is even slightly too tight, the steering will feel 'numb' on center and not want to return to center after a turn.

Dead on what my feels like.

Any one around the Richmond or Indianapolis, IN area, know how to set these up?

I like to have it resolved in time for the RTTH. Thanks

[a67]

I'm not in your area so can't help with the adjustment. However, having done the 'play with the center bolt' along with doing the adjustments correctly, there is a huge difference.

To do it properly the box needs to be removed from the car, drained of fluid, and mounted in a bench vise. Then use a small inch/pound torque wrench to measure the rotating torque.

If you can find someone, even a shop, that knows how to do this it is worthwhile.

The other item is that the re-circulating balls and races may have worn. No amount of adjustment will correct it. This is where a 'good' rebuild shop is required. The balls come in different sizes that will be fit to the worn races. This is one of the reasons that Lee boxes are highly acclaimed.

Bob

[6spdmalibu]

Bob is correct. You need to pull the box out of the car before you can adjust it properly. The couple of hours work will be worthwhile in the end. Take your time.

Jerry

[Stg1Regal]

6spdmalibu

I'll do that.....

Whats a good baseline to start with since I screwed around on the settings already? mainly the over center adjustment.

thanks

[6spdmalibu]

Back off the over center adjustment. And do the thrust bearing pre load first. Then adjust the sector adjustment. Follow the instructions posted above and you'll be fine. Just make sure you have the proper tools first.

Jerry

[SYDEWAYZ71]

Not sure if this applies to your setup and I've never tried this but others have said it worked for them...
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm

[6spdmalibu]

Good post Eric. Lucky for me that the box and pump were bought at the same time and checked for compatibility. Easy fix if it wasn't after reading that link. Thanks.

[6spdmalibu]

Stg1rgl, wondering how did your steering box adjustments turnout?