Old Old Old Dodge truck Mechanical question
Didn't know where to post this Question but have lots of Bright people here ( and some others who ? ) I have a 1964 Dodge D 100 It was my parents camper truck. Just recently the steering has g...
Forum Discussion
byronlj wrote:
There is a stud with a slot for a screwdriver locked in place by a jam nut on top of the steering box. Loosen the jam nut and then tighten the stud gently. If you tighten too much you can lock the steering or lose steering to one side. Check this before driving! I had a '62 dodge in high school and it did this. It always was loose though. I replaced lots of steering components which didn't help much.
Dave
This would be my guess too. I believe it's an old recirculating ball screw system. This screw takes up the slack.
But as another poster advises. These systems tend to wear in the area where they are used the most. Makes sense. More wear in the center of the shaft and less at the extreme ends. So I would adjust this way.
Before you adjust, make sure you have the steering box full of lubricant. These old steering boxes had a reputation for leaking the grease out over time. If the grease is gone, the ball screw wears prematurely. And even if it does not, the lack of grease can make the box seem loose.
Also make sure all the components are well greased, before you start adjusting the steering box.
Adjustment steps:
1) Raise the front end off the ground. With enough wheel clearance so you can turn the wheels lock to lock. 2)Crank the wheels all the way to the left and to the right. Does the steering wheel pressure seem consistent? 3)Then take up the screw a little. Lock the nut on the screw. Repeat step 2. Consistent? Free play feel any better? Repeat step 3 until you feel an acceptable amount of free play. And the steering wheel pressure is consistent from lock to lock. Tighten the lock nut and try again.
If you feel the steering wheel feel tighter at one end of the stroke, that is the area with the least amount of wear. And that area is where your best compromise (free play and backlash) adjustment can be made.
If a little adjustment and no real improvement in steering, you have looseness in other steering components.
I agree you can find parts for these. And these are great old trucks. Glad you want to save this one.
