Play/Slack in Steering
DANO2014.... Allegro Bus, 53,000 miles, 2002 on a Freightliner Chassis, Catepilar Engine 330.... I have always had a little slack or play in steering while traveling. I have to keep my attention ...
Forum Discussion
OK, my response:
Absolutely start by checking for play in all the other components BEFORE looking at the steering box.
Takes two people. With engine OFF, have your helper in the driver's seat. Have them turn the steering wheel through arcs left/right/left... Start with small arcs and increase until the right wheel just starts to turn. Look for any play from the right steering knuckle through tie rod ends, left knuckle, drag link, etc.
Next, while you are looking at the top of the steering box/bottom of the steering shaft, have your helper make very tiny arcs. There should be zero play in the steering shaft/U joints.
Once you have verified no play in the "rest of the steering components" it is time to look at the steering box itself. First question is what steering box to do you have. Some are adjustable, some like Sheppard boxes are NOT. To remove play from a Sheppard box, the box must be removed and blue-printed. There is a company in Washington state that specializes in this. If you have a Sheppard box, I can look for information on that company. Steering box adjustment is NOT something to be done lightly/incorrectly. Easy to do permanent damage if over tightened.
Absolutely start by checking for play in all the other components BEFORE looking at the steering box.
Takes two people. With engine OFF, have your helper in the driver's seat. Have them turn the steering wheel through arcs left/right/left... Start with small arcs and increase until the right wheel just starts to turn. Look for any play from the right steering knuckle through tie rod ends, left knuckle, drag link, etc.
Next, while you are looking at the top of the steering box/bottom of the steering shaft, have your helper make very tiny arcs. There should be zero play in the steering shaft/U joints.
Once you have verified no play in the "rest of the steering components" it is time to look at the steering box itself. First question is what steering box to do you have. Some are adjustable, some like Sheppard boxes are NOT. To remove play from a Sheppard box, the box must be removed and blue-printed. There is a company in Washington state that specializes in this. If you have a Sheppard box, I can look for information on that company. Steering box adjustment is NOT something to be done lightly/incorrectly. Easy to do permanent damage if over tightened.
