Steering Box Screw

[Rich77]

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Hi Guys,
I don’t know how this screw/bolt came off. I can’t find it.
I think it’s supposed to be the adjusting screw.
I’ve looked all over. Do you know where I can get a replacement?
Thank you!

 

[Rich77]

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I think the bolt/cap in the blue photo is what I’m looking for.

 

[rusted nuts]

never in my 70 years have I seen one,,, come off. Well 60 years anyways.

 

[idahovette]

@Rich77 ..is that a picture of yours....I don't see anything missing?????? That's an adjustment point on the ps box......jam nut on the adjuster

 

[Ricko1966]

It's an adjuster you're not supposed to actually adjust after initial setup.

 

[75gmck25]

It should have an Allen wrench fitting in the middle, and a locknut around the outside.

You put the Allen wrench in to hold the adjuster, and then loosen the outer locknut. If you want to take a little play out of the steering you would turn the center adjuster portion clockwise a very small amount (not more than 1/4 turn), and then drive the truck to check that it still returns to center properly.

 

[Rich77]

Ah, it is an Allen head.
But from the second pic that I posted, it looks like there’s a cap or something missing??

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[Ricko1966]

That screw is the last screw you touch if doing an adjustment. If you are trying to adjust play out by removing backlash you probably have a worn bushing and the box is rebuildable after you push everything to eliminate the slop in the bushing it eggs out the housing,now its junk. Kinda like setting up a rearend, just taking the lash out doesn't fix incorrect pinion depth or a worn out bearing.

 

[Rich77]

Is there supposed to be a cap over the screw to cover the Allen head?

 

[Turbo4whl]

That allen adjuster screw is captured when the steering box is assembled.

See in the picture how the head of the adjuster screw is in the slot, on the end of the pitman shaft. Some steering boxes may have a longer adjusting screw with a cap nut, your box does not.

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[rusted nuts]

Is there supposed to be a cap over the screw to cover the Allen head?

No, no cover,, no cap.. what you see is what You should have.

 

[KingKlung]

I recently replaced my steering box with a rebuilt box among other steering parts. After adjusting all the other parts I finally decided to adjust the steering box with an allen wrench . I only moved it by 1/16 turn. It worked but I turned it again by 1/16 turn. Its right on now.

 

[CalSgt]

No, no cover,, no cap.. what you see is what You should have.

^^^^ This

Looks totally normal to me

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[TotalyHucked]

That's how it's supposed to look, no cover or anything. Don't touch it, don't adjust it. It's not an adjustment contrary to what so many people claim.

 

[75gmck25]

If you read the GM shop manual, it is definitely an adjustment point. However, there is at least one other adjustment you do before you touch that allen screw. It’s all explained in the repair manual.

And when you adjust the Allen screw the steering box should be disconnected from the steering linkage, and you should measure the drag with a spring scale to ensure you do not get it too tight.

I have also seen multiple posts where someone adjusted the play without following the manual, and they all seem to have survived. However, you need to be very cautious because in the worst case it could cause the steering box to unexpectedly bind, and possible lock up.