Steering box adjustment

[Lenny51]

My steering wheel on my 51 has a lot of play in it I turned the top adjustment in . There is a plate underneath that you can turn looking
from the bottom of the car do I turn it clockwise or counter clockwise
& how much do I turn it .
I am getting a new idler arm kit from Chris , the king pins are tight &
the rest of the linkage feels tight . The wheel bearings have a little
play but I cant go to the next cotter pin hole
Thank you for any help on this

[19Fordy]

I think this adjustment is made with the car jacked up so there is no weight on the front wheels.
Double check to be sure.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Lenny51

My steering wheel on my 51 has a lot of play in it I turned the top adjustment in . There is a plate underneath that you can turn looking
from the bottom of the car do I turn it clockwise or counter clockwise
& how much do I turn it .
I am getting a new idler arm kit from Chris , the king pins are tight &
the rest of the linkage feels tight . The wheel bearings have a little
play but I cant go to the next cotter pin hole
Thank you for any help on this

The top screw is what adjusts the sector play. This is done with the steering wheel centered and is screwed in to tighten. The bottom is most likely the same as the top (screw in to tighten).
Just a hint, after adjusting the sector shaft play, if you feel a resistance while turning the steering wheel either right or left of center, this could indicate a worn worm gear

[JSeery]

However, there is more to it than just tightening the screw clockwise. You need the pitman arm remove (best) or the front wheels raised (less desirable but doable). IF the bearing preload is correct, then you can proceed to the adjustor. The steering has to be centered to make the adjustment. With the steering wheel centered the adjuster is turned in a small amount and then the wheel turned side to side through the center point to feel for a slight resistance at the center point. Adjust, check, adjust, check, etc.

[tonydennisadw]

screw in clockwise 1/4 turn at a time then check wheel any resistance at all back off till none

[tonydennisadw]

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sorry this was for the top adj screw only

[fordy_nine]

The procedure is well-described in the factory service manual. You could do more damage than the $25-30. cost of the manual. You could probably get one from Shoebox Chris........Bob L

[terry]

When my 48 ford pickup's steering wheel had play in it, I removed a shim from behind the endplate and doing this made a lot of difference. You wouldn't think such a thin shim would make any difference, but it did. Terry

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by terry

When my 48 ford pickup's steering wheel had play in it, I removed a shim from behind the endplate and doing this made a lot of difference. You wouldn't think such a thin shim would make any difference, but it did. Terry

Yes, that is why it is important to assure the preload is correct (the adjust with the shims) before you attempt to make any other adjustments.