| Steering Box Adjustment - 1976 Royale [message #337544] |
Tue, 02 October 2018 10:48  |
Bill Van Vlack
Messages: 419
Registered: September 2015
Location: Guemes Island, Washington
Karma: 14
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A talented friend helped me adjust the steering box on my '76 Royale this weekend. I had noticed about a 2" play in the steering wheel and verified it by jacking the coach, disconnecting the lower steering column, and turning the steering shaft back and forth. Movement in, no movement out for about 10 degrees of swing.
First, we disconnected the steering hoses, drag link and lower steering column and pumped out the fluid, and then followed a procedure that he had done before with long term success.
First we went to loosen the pitman shaft adjustment screw in preparation for the bearing cartridge adjustment and found it all the way out so we left it there. The first swing of the torque wrench showed no preload, so the cartridge was tightened down to 5 inch-lbs of resistance. Locked down the cartridge at that point and went to the pitman shaft adjustment. Tightened it until there was about ten inch-lbs at center, and smooth operation from lock to lock and called it good. Noticed that there was about an inch-lb more resistance going one direction than the other due to raising the pitman arm in one direction and lowering it in the other. Averaged the readings. Afterwards there was no noticeable play in the steering box
Note that we did this with the steering box still bolted to the coach and an extension on the torque wrench that let us turn it 360 deg smoothly at hood opening level.
Interested in others' experience with these adjustments.
Bill Van Vlack
'76 Royale; Guemes Island, Washington; Twin bed, full (DS) side bath, Brazilian Redwood counter and settee tops,455, 6KW generator; new owner a/o mid November 2015.
[Updated on: Thu, 04 October 2018 22:33] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Steering Box Adjustment - 1976 Royale [message #337601 is a reply to message #337544] |
Thu, 04 October 2018 07:51  |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Leaving it in the coach to adjust is interesting. You did all the correct prep work except removing it and that sucker is heavy and getting the mounting bolts back in is fussy.
I did my '74's box on the bench. I also got minimally different, torque readings in each direction. Nothing I tweaked made any difference. I also averaged them to get the reading.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Steering Box Adjustment - 1976 Royale [message #337609 is a reply to message #337544] |
Thu, 04 October 2018 12:27 |
mercdave
Messages: 45
Registered: May 2014
Karma: 2
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I have to add that Bill did ALL of the prerequisites required before adjusting the steering box. This included replacement of most of his front end and inspection of all steering components.
Dave L
Lynnwood, Wa.
1976 GMC 26' Edgemonte Rear Twin
1973 GMC 23' Rear-Ended, Totaled
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