 |
|
|
04-01-2010, 03:19 PM
|
#1
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: san diego, ca
Posts: 2,750
|
incase anyone was wondering, here's how to adjust your steering gear box:
STEERING GEAR
NOTE: Adjusting the steering gear in the vehicle is not recommended. Remove gear from the vehicle and drain the fluid. Then mount gear in a vise to perform adjustments.
OVER-CENTER
1. Rotate the stub shaft with Socket 8343 from stop to stop and count the number of turns.
2. Center the stub shaft by rotating it from the stop 1/2 of the total amount of turns.
3. Place torque wrench and Socket 8343 in a vertical position on the stub shaft. Rotate the wrench 45 degrees each side of the center and record the highest rotational torque in this range. This is the Over-Center Rotating Torque.
NOTE: The stub shaft must rotate smoothly without sticking or binding.
4. Rotate the stub shaft between 90° and 180° to the left of center and record the left off-center preload. Repeat this to the right of center and record the right off-center preload. The average of these two recorded readings is the Preload Rotating Torque.
5. The Over-Center Rotating Torque should be 0.45-0.80 N·m (4-7 in. lbs.) higher than the Preload Rotating Torque.
6. If an adjustment to the Over-Center Rotating Torque is necessary, first loosen the adjuster lock nut. Then turn the pitman shaft adjuster screw back (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) until fully extended, then turn back in (CLOCKWISE) one full turn.
7. Remeasure Over-Center Rotating Torque. If necessary turn the adjuster screw and repeat measurement until correct Over-Center Rotating Torque is reached.
NOTE: To increase the Over-Center Rotating Torque turn the screw CLOCKWISE.
8. Prevent the adjuster screw from turning while tightening adjuster lock nut. Tighten the adjuster lock nut to 37-52 N·m (27-38 ft. lbs.).
__________________
They speak of my drinking, but they never consider my thirst
-Scottish proverb
|
|
|
|
04-01-2010, 03:59 PM
|
#2
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 1,500
|
Can't get simpler than that.
|
|
|
|
|
04-01-2010, 06:22 PM
|
#3
|
|
Gold Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 6,896
|
Why would I need to adjust my steering gear, especially since it says it is not recommended?
__________________
2007 Black Unlimited Sahara, Black Hard Top, Khaki Soft Top, Khaki Interior, 3" Black Diamond Springs and sway bar links, Rancho Steering Stabilizer, Helo Black Maxx 6 17 X 9 wheels, Goodyear Duratrac 315/70-17 Tires, Poly Peformance High Steer Kit, Poly Performance Upper and Lower Front and Rear Adjustable Control Arms, Poly Performance Rear Track Bar Bracket, Poly Performance Chromoly Tie Rod, Offset Upper Ball Joints, Mopar Front and Rear Bumpers and Skid Plate, Warn 9.5ti winch, ARB High Output Compressor with tire inflation kit, PIAA 510 SMR Fog Lights , Silverstar Headlights, Front Rancho 9000 shocks, Rear Bilstein 5100 series shocks, 5.13 gears, Kenwood DNX9990HD, Infinity 6020CS, Infinity 6022si, Alpine MRP-F250, JBL P1024, Alpine MRP-M650
|
|
|
|
|
04-01-2010, 06:37 PM
|
#4
|
|
Web Wheeler
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,138
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prot
Why would I need to adjust my steering gear, especially since it says it is not recommended?
|
It's just not recommended to adjust it while it is still installed. There is no way to measure the results when still installed.
|
|
|
|
|
04-01-2010, 06:38 PM
|
#5
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: san diego, ca
Posts: 2,750
|
its not recommended to do it on the rig....or if you dont know what you're doing. lol i have to as mine's WAY out of adjustment. it's really not that hard to do though..
__________________
They speak of my drinking, but they never consider my thirst
-Scottish proverb
|
|
|
|
|
04-01-2010, 06:41 PM
|
#6
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 1,500
|
I have heard that several people have adjusted it just 1/8 turn while still on their rig with no issues.
|
|
|
|
|
04-04-2010, 01:22 AM
|
#7
|
|
What was I thinking?
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 5,362
|
Is Socket 8343 a Mopar part number or an off the shelf part-store item?
Thanks for the write-up, it will come in usefull at some point 
|
|
|
|
|
06-13-2012, 08:38 PM
|
#8
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kailua, Hawaii
Posts: 78
|
Nice write up. Will this adjustment help with "wondering"? My JK wonders all over the road and I'm not sure if its the Gear Box or my Lift or the Tires and Alignment? Not sure where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated.
E:
__________________
Time Flies when your having Rum!
|
|
|
|
|
06-13-2012, 08:40 PM
|
#9
|
|
Plasti Dip yourself!
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: 6,000 ft, Colorado
Posts: 3,705
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by WATERMAN31
Nice write up. Will this adjustment help with "wondering"? My JK wonders all over the road and I'm not sure if its the Gear Box or my Lift or the Tires and Alignment? Not sure where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated.
E:
|
Did you correct the caster after after the lift?
|
|
|
|
|
06-13-2012, 08:43 PM
|
#10
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kailua, Hawaii
Posts: 78
|
I had a 4 wheel alignment and they said it was with in spects. Is there a better adjustment for camber than factory? This thing really wonders around the highway.
__________________
Time Flies when your having Rum!
|
|
|
|
|
06-14-2012, 06:58 AM
|
#11
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 267
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WATERMAN31
I had a 4 wheel alignment and they said it was with in spects. Is there a better adjustment for camber than factory? This thing really wonders around the highway.
|
4 wheel alignment?
I thought with wranglers you can only do 2 wheel alignment...just saying....
I have had to do minor adjustments to my steering gear while on vehicle. I have had to adjust 1/8 turns clockwise twice. No issues. If anything has made the steering feel better.
__________________
Current stable:
09 JK Rubicon 35's and 5" lift - modded
09 WK Limited 5.7 Hemi OVERLAND - stock
07 MB AMG E63 "My 11 sec sedan" - modded
11 HD NightRod Special - modded
|
|
|
|
|
06-14-2012, 07:50 AM
|
#12
|
|
Web Wheeler
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,138
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurtleSlinger
4 wheel alignment?
I thought with wranglers you can only do 2 wheel alignment...just saying....
I have had to do minor adjustments to my steering gear while on vehicle. I have had to adjust 1/8 turns clockwise twice. No issues. If anything has made the steering feel better.
|
Most alignment shops check the alignment on the rear axle, too, even on vehicles with solid axles. Something can be bent, and checking all the angles will reveal that.
It's funny you said the adjustment made the steering feel better.
I just posted in another thread on this subject that the adjustment isn't a matter of just making it feel better. It's a matter of obtaining the correct pre-load.
|
|
|
|
|
06-14-2012, 08:05 AM
|
#13
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kailua, Hawaii
Posts: 78
|
Yup, 4 wheel alignment, I have adjustable upper & lower control arms. They, the dealer, said all were in specs except one was just out of spec but shouldn't be a problem?!
Question, Pre Load, will that take out the "play" in the steering? It really wonders at like 55 to 70 mph.
__________________
Time Flies when your having Rum!
|
|
|
|
|
06-14-2012, 08:39 AM
|
#14
|
|
Web Wheeler
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,138
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WATERMAN31
Yup, 4 wheel alignment, I have adjustable upper & lower control arms. They, the dealer, said all were in specs except one was just out of spec but shouldn't be a problem?!
Question, Pre Load, will that take out the "play" in the steering? It really wonders at like 55 to 70 mph.
|
If the pre-load is too loose, there will be play in the steering box.
That's not the only possible cause, though.
|
|
|
|
|
06-14-2012, 08:41 AM
|
#15
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: moncton, NB
Posts: 19
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by TurtleSlinger
4 wheel alignment?
I thought with wranglers you can only do 2 wheel alignment...just saying....
I have had to do minor adjustments to my steering gear while on vehicle. I have had to adjust 1/8 turns clockwise twice. No issues. If anything has made the steering feel better.
|
Although most don't have any adjustments in the rear it's good practice to check the specs on the rear as well. Because although it isent adjustable it needs to be factored in. If you have some toe in or out in the rear this can cause dog tracking. So a thrust alingment is done using the rear axle as a starting point for adjusting the front. This in turn gives you little to no pull!
|
|
|
|
|
|
>
Steering Gear Adjustment
