How does one tell if a power steering box is bad? Should the input and output be tight? My box seems to have some slop when I turn the wheel you can see that the pitman arm doesn't move until there is 5 degrees of movement either way. I think this is abnormal but I'm just getting everybody's opinion.

 

That is not right; but it doesn't mean the box is "bad".

There are adjustments for both shafts in it: the one the steering column is attached to, and the one the Pitman arm is on. Proprely adjusting those will usually cure it.

The one for the worm shaft is around the end of the gearbox, right under the "rag joint". There's a big sheet-metal jam nut, and the adjuster itself is about 2" in diameter and has 2 holes in it for a spanner wrench to turn it. It doesn't usually need much adjustment until the car has several hundred thousand miles on it. Since I'm well beyond that on mine, I've had to rebuild my gearbox already.

The one for the sector shaft (or Pitman shaft, if you want to call it that) is the nut and Allen screw on top of the gearbox. You adjust that one to take out the play in that shaft, after you set the other. Odds are, if you just tighten the Pitman shaft one, you can get rid of alot of the slop. If you tighten it too much the steering will bind. Try loosening the jam nut while holding the Allen still; then tighten the Allen about a half turn; then re-tighten the jam nut. Drive it, see if it's better. Repeat until the steering starts to feel tight, then back it back off a little bit.

 

hey JPrevost did you ever get a hold of the foamseal guys?

 

RB83L69, thanks for the details. I have a Chilton's manual and it goes into great detail (believe it or not) on how to adjust the worm gear backlash. It does not howevery go into much detail on the pitman arm lash. I'm familiar with the internals but have never had to rebuild one as of yet. I think I'm going to rebuild the one I have that's a 2.25 turn box and just try adjusting the pitman arm like you suggested. Crossing fingers.
Rembrandt, I've been on vacation but I haven't gotten a call back or any e-mail reply. I haven't followed up on it because I've been busy trying to get my car past inspection and working. It hasn't been forgotten, I just had my car fail inspection which is taking more than it's share of time. I'm sure I'll get some, just a matter of time. And when I do I'll post the details like I promised.

 

Hey no prob, no rush, I understand.

just wanted to plug to see if there were any updates.

I can't wait. If it is decently effective I'd like to pump my car full of it.