Forum Discussion

Fishinghat's avatar
Fishinghat
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2015

Steering Box Slack Adjustment

I have a 1993 HR Navigator on a Spartan Mountain Master chassis. My steering gear has an adjusting screw on the side, which I assume is to take out any looseness or slack in the steering. Does anyone know what the settings are? That is, how far do I back off the center screw after it makes contact? I'm assuming something like 1/2 turn would be enough, but I don't want to experiment only to have the steering lock up on me at a very inappropriate time.

I've had a frame shop check the front end and the alignment, and all is within specifications. I've even raised the front end up and checked for any worn or loose parts and everything seems tight and in good shape. (I do the lubrication myself, so I know all the zert fittings have been serviced.)
Class A
  • Fishinghat's avatar
    Fishinghat
    Explorer II
    Apr 30, 2015
    Thanks tcooper and Brett. At this point I think I'll just let the local Freightliner dealer take a look at it and see what they think. I'll suggest adjusting the steering box, but I'll let them do any adjusting.

    I originally thought all I had to do was loosen the lock net, turn the set screw down to the end of travel and then back off 1/2 turn or so. But, apparently, that is not a good option since, as randallb pointed out, that screw is for the setup of the box.
  • fcooper's avatar
    fcooper
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2015
    My motorhome drives much better after I adjusted out some slop in the steering gearbox.

    For anyone with the non-adjustable Sheppard box, there is a very interesting thread on IRV2 about swapping the Sheppard box for a TRW box.

    Sheppard-m100-shim-or-swap-for-a-trw

    Fred
  • Fishinghat's avatar
    Fishinghat
    Explorer II
    Apr 25, 2015
    Thanks Brett. I don't know what the brand of steering box I have. I'll have to climb under the coach when I get the energy to do that, and the weather cooperates.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    First question is what steering box do you have.

    THEN we may be able to supply the correct information.

    TRW and Sheppard are the two most common. I know that in the Sheppard boxes, the word "Sheppard" and the model number are clearly embossed on the box.
  • Fishinghat's avatar
    Fishinghat
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2015
    YC 1, that video from TRW was very helpful. Thanks. However, I don't think I have a TRW, although the adjustment screw looks identical.

    However, like randallb suggested, adjusting the adjustment screw may not be a good idea. So, I think I'll error on the side of safety and avoid changing the settings.

    Dakdave, thanks for the tip. I think I'll take my coach down to the local Freightliner dealer and have them check the bellcrank, as well as the rest of the steering components. I'm getting too old and tired to muscle parts off and on under the coach, so I'll let some young buck do the dirty work.
  • dakdave's avatar
    dakdave
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    Check carefully the bellcrank.
    On my dp the steering always seemed little loose to me .I checked everything numerous times finally found play in bellcrank bushing only in exactly one spot.
    I replaced it with a super steer now all is good.

    I have worked on trucks and buses my entire working life and could not believe I missed play before
    dave
  • randallb's avatar
    randallb
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    That adjustment screw is not for adjusting an old loose box. It is there for initial setup of the box. If you take the slop out of the center position you are now tightening up the clearances across the travel of the gear set. Since there is less wear off of the center position the gear set clearance will be to tight once off center. Get a rebuilt box or live with the looseness.
    Randy

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