The high spot is actually there to aid in the adjustment of the gear box. If you turn it to the "tight" or high spot to adjust the gearbox, you will not overtighten it and have problems with the gearbox locking up. This was more common on manual steering than power. Never adjust them so tightly that you can "feel" the high spot on the gear. If you notice it when turning stop to stop, back off until you cannot feel the difference in the steering wheel.

after like 10 videos of trying to understand how this works, this is the one that did it for me

I have worked in many places as a tech, including several dealerships, who had no clue about this adjustment. It helps a lot if the front end is kept in good condition. The "hammering" associated with loose front end parts does untold damage to these gearboxes. Any time there is slack in the steering, movement accelerates until impact, so the "hammering" effect is intensified by neglect. In truth, front end inspection should be part of an oil change, but few bother. Great videos.

This is the best video/manual that is actually explaining and at the same time being able to see what happens. All of the other videos does not explain the relationship between the gears properly. Most of them say like it is some kind of unimaginable complex system, which it isn't.

That’s answered my question nobody else covers. Very helpful. Thank you.

You are correct about a tiny amount of adjustment. Turning it more than 1/8-1/4 to 1/2 max turn puts too much pressure on the internals. According to my manual.

Thanks for uploading this! I read everywhere to adjust sector shaft to help with a loose steering box, but it's nice to know what is actually happening and not just think it's some black magic

This vid is really helpful. Now I know the inner anatomy of the steering box, and I understand why my sector shaft has play and how to fix it! If the center section of the gear is so worn that I can't get rid of the play without introducing bind at the outer areas (turn to lock), I know I need a new box. 2003 F150. Thank you!

i had a TON of play and you'd be shocked at what an 1/8th turn did for my 95 land cruiser (230,000 miles). for me, 1/4 turn caused binding. thank you!

Excellent presentation. Long time I was trying to understand how the adjustments work. Now it is clear. Thanks man .👍👍

Masterfully done! And Kudos to all who are sharing their insight on the box. I have a Jeep TJ and I’m not liking the play. I checked the ujoint and the bearing on the shaft, all checks good. The slop is coming from the box and I’ll use the setting method you showed. I understand better, thanks!

BEST ADJUSTMEND VIDEO IVE SEEN FOR ANY STEERING IVE SEEN THANKS

THANK YOU, for keeping the camera on, I was a little disappointed when you said you weren't gonna show the adjustment. Then you did, lol. This is the only video I've found on it. Great description and awesome video, thanks again.

Excellent video! Really helped me understand what was going on inside the steering box when making this adjustment on my son’s Jeep. Awesome. Really appreciated this.

perfect video on how it actually works. looks pretty simple in there, not too many moving parts

Exactly the instruction I was hoping to find. Thank you for de-mystifying my steering box!

You're more than welcome! Thanks for watching!! ....just realized I had "adjustment" spelled wrong in the title! LOL

Great video! I’m working on my new project car a 95’ 4Runner and I just replaced an extremely worn idler arm that was causing some crazy slop but after I replaced it it got rid of the play in the arms but I noticed there was still a good amount of play in the steering wheel and found out about the steering gear box adjustment. Lots of videos say how to adjust it but not many explain exactly what’s actually going on in there. Thanks!

Nice high quality video for the date posted. I'm going to try again my first attempt I couldn't get jam nut loose.

The high spot in the center aid In Straight a head steering - not to bind the steering , but enough force to help hold it straight .

Thank you for your efforts.... this video explains and shows exactly what my brother was telling over the phone (long distance) last night. I have excess play in the steering on my '57 Chevy's original manual steering box.

Thanks man for uploading video on worm and sector steering system......I can imagine better now...

Thank you for making this video. I just bought a used Jeep Cherokee steering gear and used this video to inspect the play. No descernable play in the middle of the range, some play when the pittman is turned to one side. Good to go. I cleaned the steering box, painted it up and have it ready to go into the jeep soon. The previous owner adjusted the sector shaft and it is way too tight.

thank you for the video I understood really well the way the steering shaft screw adjustment works thanks again

You can put the lid on by backing the adjuster back a couple of turns and the whole assembly will go on. Then adjust it right down and back off a quarter of a turn then check the feel on the whole steering left to right. Most old boxes will have some wear in the straight ahead position. If it is too much the gears are stuffed!

That was an awesome explanation of how it works and how to adjust it.

Thank you for making it easy to understand.

Great video thank you very much never saw the inside of one of those so it makes all kinds of sense now. Thank you for sharing with us

These old cars call for an alignment spec of 1/2 degree LESS caster on the left in order to compensate for road crown, but that makes the car pull to the left on a flat road, unless... ...the sector shaft adjustment is correct. A proper adjustment calls for the box to be out of the car and to put an inch-pound torque wrench to measure the torque increase as the sector shaft goes over center. IIRC it should be about 10-15 inch-pounds MORE to bring the the box from left turning to right turning. Properly adjusted, the gearbox is going into a slight bind as it approaches center and the alignment tech can then adjust the steering wheel so this left tendency in the caster is compensated for in the gearbox when it is slightly right of center. No pulling to the right on a crowned road because of the caster, no pulling to the left on a flat road because of the sector shaft bind at center position.

Thank you.You save me from taking my box apart. Now I know what is going on inside of it. Thank you very much

Yes, steering gear is adjusted by measuring steering wheel free play travel, steering gears will wear from normal use to a point that they should to be replaced.

LEAKS.... For everyone asking about a leak at the adjusting screw if you don't have the Oring or Copper Washer Seal.... Spray it with Break Cleaner and work it back n forth (in and out), apply any type of Oil based or Oil Resistant Thread or Pipe Sealant. Permatx #1 , #2 or even some Silicone sealant

Much appreciated. My truck drove like it was on banana peels before. Feels MUCH better after adjustment.

Amazing to understand how that works in details.Thanks very much

Thank you, you saved me the senseless box replacement because I have no leaks. 😊

Awesome video on how the adjusting works. I understand so much better.

This answers a question I had. I have an steering gearbox with excess play. Just been to find he specs to adjust a hd94pab gearbox.

the easiest way to adjust that is tighten the adjustment and back off 1/4 to 1/2 turn. That gear box is worn out you might want to look for newer gear box

What a shop, nice set up !! a-1 presentation- do you make house calls ? thanks mister !!

Thank you for this. Mine is confusing because it’s tight at center but loose as soon as I turn the wheel just a bit. So going around corners it’s sloppy, but if I tighten it any more it sticks at center. It seems backwards, I would have thought it would wear more near center.

Very helpful bud. Now I know how it works makes sense, I was about to thread the adjuster till it bottomed out....thank you

On mine I try to put the cover on and it gives me a 1/2 gap or so ! I tried to hammer it down a bit and won't give

Thanks! I was going to try adjusting that nut anyway but your video really helps explain the inner workings and I have much more confidence now.. Good luck on your HOT ROD...Or mud machine or whatever your building :-)

That work shop looks heaven to me..

So glad I found your video! I've seen several so far that talk about the adjustment, but none that show the inside of the steering box, and what's actually happening when you adjust the sector shaft. I'm looking around right now at vids because my 2009 Dodge truck has some play I want to shore up. I have a question though - Since the most wear will be in the center area, due to vehicles generally travelling in a straight line most of their lives, doesn't it make more sense to adjust this with the steering wheel turned a bit off center, so that you're adjusting at a position with less wear? That would allow you to pull in as much slack as possible without running into a bind situation. It would result in a bit more remaining play at center, but it seems like that would guarantee no binding on either side. (?)

Great job of showing what this adjustment actually does.

So it would seem if you have the tie rod and steering shaft disconnected, then attempt to move the pitman arm by hand, feeling for the sweet spot between binding and backlash, you could get it pretty well dialed in.

Absolutely Beautiful..Thank You..

how does moving the sector shaft up and down losen or tighten the teeth? Is the rack at an angle? are the teeth tapered?

So those splines are tapered? Thanks for the explanation.

If your gear box whines while you turn is it bad?

Thanks. High spots? I was surprised at how many different steering boxes they have out there. There's definitely some differences. This Datsun one is the only one I've torn into. Maybe one of these days I'll do this to the '64 Fairlane I have. I think a lot of people just think the excessive play is from the design since they're use to rack-n-pinion.....they just accept it rather than fix it. A new box and front end parts make a world of difference!! But, there's no new boxes left. :(

Can u provide me a link to a video which explains connections between tie rod,steering arm and spindle?..

TOP ! In Deutschland gibt es so gute Erklärungen nicht.Alle haben Angst an der Schraube zu drehen ! Danke !! :-)

Great awesome video, now I really can imagine what is happening down there that makes my 94 vic play on the lanes :D Thanks so much Mike you made our ride safer before it is too late :P

How does this work? Are the gear teeth on the sector shaft tapered?

Please don't warry about play under steering, (say stopping at the intersection (if the steering is hold it in to one side lock) and find to have a massive play in it, is because the angle of the gears teeth are designed that way in order to turn easy, .. but tighter wile you drive on a straight line. And wishing that the tight spot will wear out.. (of course everything does), but if the hard face wears out prematurely that..... it's not a good thing. So no matter how much play is obtained in the adjustment, on a straight line position there always be less play. And adjusting in a dry gear mashing, it's only done on differentials, (where there should be motion movement, but no slack at all, until some lubrication is add it on , and that is the proper adjustment ............ (no need of "MANUAL"... Which it's only a reference, but a diff has constant mashing.....very different that a steering box. If you'll use a scale on the steering wheel, please use a support anther, and also lubricated otherwise that massive extension on the steering gears will course binding the steering gears and foals reading will occur. Thank you for your video, I am only adding on to your much appreciated description .

So is it adjusting the play coming out of the gearbox or going in, because I have a ram 3500 and there’s a ton on play going on by the steering shaft and I just don’t want to adjust it to much

Thank you for the Education Sir Bluehands

I realize this is a demonstration. But what if the system was pressurized or had some type of lubrication? Would the results be different regarding binding?

awesome video , thank you so much , keep doing your videos , very helpul

Awesome show and tell, that is the best way to learn how to understand a gear box

HI, Great video. I seems you are working on a Datsun, funny. My Yamaha golf cart has a very similar steering box. I am going to use your tips when I tear it down this summer. If there is excessive wear, is Pitman arm replacement the remedy? what lubricant is recommended?

Thanks for the video are you familiar with the steering boxes that have the big slotted screw in the front ????? I see how ajusting a gear box does by turning that screw now inside , my 69 F250 has a big slotted screw and a lock ring guy at the shop said you can't just turn that top ajuster it will make it worse , you need to loosen the lock ring and turn the slotted screw in so much and the top one a certain way ? Have yet to see a video on ajusting in other words they need to be adjusted together it's a Bendix power steering box .

Thanks you saved me on this video I tighten my too tight didn't know what was going on it wouldn't come back out at the turn the wheel little bit unscrew turn the wheel little bit unscrew

Have you ever seen the adjustment plate at the top of the sector shaft get worn out. And can I replace just the four bolt plate or would I have to replace the whole box... Truck steers fine but has play and rattles on bumpy roads.. There is no plate left at the top of the sector shaft where the adjustment screw goes it's completely worn... The shaft teeth and adjustment screw look ok.. I will be posting a video later today to show the problem

You are the man. Sweet video. I am now a follower. lol

What happen if you dont get this fix? Will it just leave you with out steering at high or low speed?

Muy buenas clases

I was always taught to tighten until you locked it down, and back off 1 turn. The high spot is not from wear, they are indicators to aid in adjustment. At least on American vehicles. You usually only get 1 or 2 adjustments from them before the wear is excessive and you can no longer adjust the slack out. Good job.

I have to question this a bit. There should be more wear at the center than at the ends, because you drive straight more than you go around tight corners. So it seems to me you should adjust it for almost no play at the ends, then it is whatever it is in the center (that is, there will be more slop there because there is more wear). I also wonder about what happens when the gearbox heats up - does that play at the ends go away or get bigger? But for sure, do the adjustment at the ends (the tighter end if there is any difference).

Thanks for the input! Great info! In Germany, all cars have to go through inspections and that was something they checked. I like the "rule of thumb" in your first post. What is the "high spot" you mentioned?

Nice very informative, I appreciate your work and your experience.

Thank you

In the other many mexican videos say whats the proble and how to fix the problem, But the question is, why this problem hepening, and I'm of those like you that want to know, WHAT IS HAPENING INSIDE, HOW IT EXACTLY WORKS! SO Thankyou so mucch! Man,..

Ah got it now, great video and saved me opening up my old one to see how it worked :)

Hi, I was trying to replace gear box oil in my 720 truck , but cant find any evident "plug" to drain old fluid! can you please help? thxs!!!!!

Really helpful

Great Video! Thanks for taking the time to make and post it!

hey this is my second gear box from o 'rally auto parts store dont no if u heard from them or not both boxes were no good i still have play in my wheel everything is new under there with the truck running i can turn my rag joint shaft and as sonn as i move it ican see the oitman arm starts to move bit not my tires wat do u think

hi for the adjusting screw there it have no Oring in place.So the oil may leak thru there right.

Good work its all clear now! Cheers again.

Hmm....I've only done it on the Datsun, so I'm not familiar with the Ford box. I would check it with the steering linkage disconnected from the pitman arm. If it's still the same, I would guess that the box is worn unevenly and you might have to find a middle setting you can live with. Maybe there's another vid on youtube geared more toward the Ford box? Sorry....I wish I had better info for you.

Is pitman arm used in rack and pinion mechanism? because by book uses this term even in rack and pinion mechanism...In which all steering gear system we use the term pitman arm?.....Please explain Sir....Its confusing.....

Good demonstration.

So I have a 1985 Chevy c10 steering gear box..an I can't find a video or diagram of the ajustment section..mine has a spring a ajustment bolt a dime shaped plate..but there was a ?? Seemed like a washer but it was so far gone so I couldn't tell what it was.? Any help?

Phucking phantastic! Thanks for an outstanding explanation!

Thank you for this.

My american willies jeep having manual steering gear box.from long time i buy this jeep i can turn full only one side (up to tire touches the body.)But other side can turn only half only.So for turn other side i have to from and back the jeep 2-3 times.Where is the problem?How can i fix the problem.Please help me..

Anybody that dislike this video I challenge you to make a better video than this gentleman. Great effort great explanation simple into the point

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. :)

any idea whee i can get a rebuildt kit for this Saginaw 267625 ? it is almost not to find

Awesome video....does a type of oil go in there....?

Should be adjusted for zero play when the wheels are straight. Should be some play when wheels are turned.

im doing this on my truck but when u turn to your right is tide bot to the left has a little play any advise for that is a 92 f150

This is the video I needed

Cool now I understand these better and am now an expert on the matter 💥😆💥

Please help. Could extensive play in the sector shaft cause a loud thud over bumps/potholes? 2013 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Thanks in advance.

With it out of the car like that, you should be able to set it up with and inch pound torque wrench. Remove the shaft and turn the gear directly with the torque wrench, specs should be in your GM manual.

I just replaced my gear box and after a test drive it is leaking from between that nut and the adjustment screw. Any thoughts on a fix? Any input is much appreciated. And great video. Thank you.