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Old 04-03-2016, 10:52 AM   #1
katy
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Default Steering box # of turns question

Turning the wheel to the right until it stops takes just over 1 full turn, turning to the left until it stops takes just over 1&1/2 turns. Is this normal? I would suspect that it maybe should be aprox 1&1/4 turns in either direction.
'31 CCPU w/2 tooth steering box, has aftermarket shortened pitman arm. W/wheels straight ahead the pitman arm is straight down.
Kingpins are tight, no slop. Tie rod and drag link ends are all snug, no slop.
No appreciable slop in the steering box.
The long kingpin wedge bolt nuts are on the back of the axle.
This is a "refurbished" vehicle we bought last year.
TIA, Ken
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Old 04-03-2016, 11:32 AM   #2
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Steering box # of turns question

Yes, it should be equal side to side. Read the SERVICE BULLETINS for the adjustment proceedure to center it.
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Old 04-03-2016, 02:48 PM   #3
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Steering box # of turns question

Just as Tom said, the adjustment procedure is in the Service Bulletins. There are 4 adjustments which need to be done in order and then re-checked/adjusted.

These adjustments can be done while the box is still mounted in the car. A screwdriver needs to be 'warped' in order to get at the last adjustment, but, the last adjustment usually doesn't require much. However, it may in yours since its off quite a bit.
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Old 04-03-2016, 03:01 PM   #4
George Miller
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Default Re: Steering box # of turns question

A shorten steering arm will do that. in effect it will raise the drag link which makes it turn the wheels to the left . The distance from the front mounting point to the steering gear arm is shorter. Which turns the front wheels left.
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Old 04-03-2016, 06:48 PM   #5
bettlesr
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Default Re: Steering box # of turns question

This is why many use an adjustable drag ling. So you can make the center of the box go straight ahead.
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Old 04-03-2016, 07:08 PM   #6
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Steering box # of turns question

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Katy -
To compensate for the difference in turning radii, replace the long king pin stop nut on the right side with an ordinary hex nut of typical height, without a lock washer. The washer is not needed, as that pin ain't goin' anywhere once it's properly embedded into the axle and held in place by the weight of car against the kingpin. Doing this will slightly increase the turning radius to the right at the extreme by more than just the difference in nut heights. Maybe not the perfect solution, but you will pick up some additional travel here.
If you can manage the almost circus-like trick of adjusting the eccentric screw on the frame rail side of the steering box, by all means try this first. Remember that to increase the turning radius to the right, you will turn the slotted eccentric screw head to the left, and vise-versa.
'Sorry, but this is as short as I can make this posting. 'Good thing I'm not trying to explain how to rebuild an engine in two short paragraphs!
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