A Handy Guide to Steering Box Adjustment

A malfunctioning steering gear box could spell trouble for you out on the road, interfering with your ability to control your vehicle with your steering wheel. You could put yourself and other people in serious danger with a maladjusted steering gear box.

Because of this, adjusting a steering gear box is something every driver needs to know if they want to keep their vehicle in tip-top condition. If you want to familiarize yourself with the process of how mechanics carry out steering gear box adjustments, then read on.

Why Is The Steering Gear Box So Important?

The steering gear box is arguably the most important component of your vehicle’s steering system. It performs a variety of functions. For example, it allows you to control the angular turning of your vehicle’s wheels by simply rotating the steering wheel. This way, drivers have better control over their vehicles and don’t need to exert as much effort to make small turns.

It is able to accomplish this by multiplying the driver’s strength, meaning one rotation of the steering wheel is enough to change the directional course of the vehicle regardless of its size. This is why drivers are able to control and handle large vehicles like trucks with relatively small steering wheels.

How Can You Tell When A Steering Gear Box Needs Adjustment?

One of the clearest indicators that a steering gear box needs adjustment is when there’s excessive play in the steering wheel. If you find yourself exerting more effort to keep your vehicle straight and on the lines of the road, there’s also a good chance your steering gear box is either worn out or in need of adjustment.

Other indicators include leaking power steering fluid from the steering gear box itself, which means the box either needs adjustment or total replacement. Hitching and difficulty turning the wheel are other clear signs that it’s time to open the steering gear box for some adjustments and/or repairs.

With that said, adjusting steering gear boxes is an incredibly difficult procedure that should be reserved for professionals who know what they’re doing. You could very easily ruin the controls of your vehicle if you don’t perform adjustments or replacements properly, or fail to correct your errors in time. 

On average, a steering gear box should last you around 100,000 miles before needing replacement, but the necessity of steering box adjustments will vary from vehicle to vehicle.

The Two Types of Steering Gear Box Adjustment

If you want to know how to adjust a steering gear box, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the two types of adjustment: worm bearing preload and sector lash adjustment.

Worm Bearing Preload Adjustment

The first of the two kinds of steering gear box adjustments is the worm bearing pre-load adjustment, which is also known as worm endplay. This adjustment is important because it ensures that the worm shaft is secure inside the gear box housing.

It can be a problem if the worm shaft becomes too loose because it might end up getting dislocated when you drive and cause you to lose control of the steering wheel. This has the potential to lead to fatal consequences if these adjustments aren’t carried out.

Mechanics may perform the following steps on your vehicle during a worm bearing preload adjustment.

1. The mechanic disconnects the piston arm if the gearbox is installed inside your vehicle.
2. The locknut of your steering wheel is turned twice to loosen it up.
3. The steering wheel is turned from side to side with a torque wrench to measure the amount of force needed to turn the wheel to its center position.
4. The worm endplay is either increased or decreased until it is reset to its default position, fitting the specifications of your vehicle’s model.
5. Once the steering wheel has been adjusted, the locknut is tightened once again.
6. The mechanic ensures that the steering wheel can turn easily from stop to stop. This is so they can guarantee that the steering wheel can still be rotated without any complications when you drive.

Sector Lash Adjustment

The second of the two types of steering gear box adjustments is sector lash adjustment, and it must always be performed after the worm bearing preload adjustment. This adjustment is important because it determines the endplay of the sector shaft, allowing it to turn without binding itself to the adjustment screw.

It also prevents worm shaft axial end play while providing the least amount of resistance to the shaft’s movement.

Mechanics may perform the following steps on your vehicle during a sector lash adjustment.

1. The mechanic turns the adjustment screw in and out of the top plate of the vehicle’s gear box.
2. The stub shaft is centered and adjustments are made according to the specifications of your vehicle’s model.
3. The locknut is loosened, and the adjustment screw is turned to decrease the lash and tighten the wheel.
4. The sector shaft screw is either tightened or loosened until it has returned to its default position, fitting the specifications of your vehicle’s model.
5. The locknut is tightened once again and the gear box is tested to see if everything is working as intended.

Find the Right Steering Gearbox For Your Vehicle Easily  

If your vehicle’s steering wheel has excessive play, your vehicle might have a faulty steering box. A steering gearbox isn’t a part that’s regularly replaced. However, some vehicles will need a replacement if the steering box is leaking steering fluid or if it’s worn out. If not replaced immediately, the steering box can cause more excessive steering wheel play, which can compromise your steering accuracy. Luckily, CarParts.com has high-quality steering boxes. 

Searching for the right parts can be confusing, but not at CarParts.com. Finding replacement components is easy and hassle-free, thanks to our vehicle selector. You can also use our search filters to narrow down your search according to the brand or price range you prefer. Have questions regarding your order? Don’t think twice about calling our toll-free hotlines. Our friendly customer service representative will be able to answer all your queries.

Take a look at our selection now and purchase a replacement steering box for your vehicle today!