steering box sector shaft adjustment

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
Tracked the play in my steering to the box, I can see the sector shaft wiggle slightly while the wheel is moved back and forth. No leaks at the moment... I have the how-to from the RAVE, anyone done this and it mess the box up? I'd rather live with the bumpsteer than have to get a new box right now.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I've done it. Injuneer can rebuild the whole box, was kinda thinking he would be the guy to ask . Put your 3/16 allen head socket on the stub of the shaft sticking up,and your wrench on the locknut. It may move oposite of the direction you think its going to go. Because the threaded shaft turns the shaft deeper or more shallow into the other shaft. Move the threaded rod only a half a flat at a time and then make sure your going the right way. If it gets too tight the steering wheel wont return to center by itself when coming out of a turn.
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
Adjust it very slowly until rolling over center is tight and then back off a bit. Mine now has near zero play, an accomplishment for a Rover.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
It's usually the bearings that wear and make everything all floppy.

yup, this seems to be the main culprit. I tighten the sector shaft and my steering is much nicer but I still have a wobble. I'll check it again after I drive to work tomorrow and see how it feels.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
yup, this seems to be the main culprit. I tighten the sector shaft and my steering is much nicer but I still have a wobble. I'll check it again after I drive to work tomorrow and see how it feels.

If your looking for a wobble start by picking up the front wheels and shake down the wheel bearings . If they seem ok you might be looking at loose swivel housings.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
If your looking for a wobble start by picking up the front wheels and shake down the wheel bearings . If they seem ok you might be looking at loose swivel housings.

Wheel bearings are good, and swivel housings are as well with the correct preload. I can see (and feel) the sector shaft wiggle when the wheel is being turned with the truck on the ground. It definitely drives better than before but still has some bumpsteer and a wiggle over patchy roads.
 

MM3846

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Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
Nope. All ends are only 2-3 months old... Came with my terrafirma HD setup. Trackbar bushings are superpro poly replaced around the same time.

I'm going to check everything again tonight (maybe, its going to be pretty hot today), but besides this issue the truck drives straight, tracks straight, and makes no noises on the highway up to 75. Two weekends ago I drove 4 hours up to VT, did a few fire roads and then drove the 4 hours home without a hiccup... and I DD the thing.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
If your looking for a wobble start by picking up the front wheels and shake down the wheel bearings . If they seem ok you might be looking at loose swivel housings.

Welp, you were right. Just checked, driver front wheel bearing is definitely a little loose. Time to order some parts.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
New wheel bearings, still have bumpsteer. The bearings did need to be replaced, but something else is still loose. The search continues!
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Since its a disco 1 I think your going to end up doing the swivel pre load to get rid of your wobble. I think pt did a write up about it someplace. That will make a big difference.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
Since its a disco 1 I think your going to end up doing the swivel pre load to get rid of your wobble. I think pt did a write up about it someplace. That will make a big difference.

Righto. I never "checked" the preload but when I put the TF steering in, it was definitely there. I'll pick up some shims from someplace and tackle this next Monday when I have the time off.
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
Have you checked the steering shaft from the column to the box itself. I also found my arm on the box itself was loose but only under load. Chocked the wheel against the curb and had my son wiggle the steering back and forth. Couldn't believe it. Threw a wren I on there and between the two 95% of my slop went away.
 

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
The steering shaft looks fine, although it is under that heat shield blanket thing. I'll try that curb test, not a bad idea.
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
I choked the wheel parallel to the curb and not perpendicular. I was in a hurry when I posted yesterday. I pulled the heat shield off when I looked at the steering shaft.