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How to check correct bearing preload - rebuilt steering box?

T

timsch

Member
Hello, all. I'm rebuilding a late model 8N steering box. I have two new bearings and races installed and I am at the point of adding shims. The sectors are not in yet.

When checking the preload on the bearings, how much drag am I looking for? Right now, I have shims installed and the tube bolts snug. I can detect no end play when pulling straight in & out, but can fairly easily turn the shaft with my fingers, and can also wiggle the shaft sideways and feel just the slightest shifting.

Should I be able to turn the shaft easily with my fingers if there is enough preload?

Tim
 
yes.. you are good. this is how I do them. only a hair of preload, and no slop. otherwise you are wearing the bearing out
needlessly.
 
Have the steering all connected to the front wheels, turn what slack you can one way and make a mark under the hub on the tube. Turn it the other way
till the slack is out and make another mark under the hub. If the two marks are even you got it. If one mark is above the other you have too many
shims.

Zane
 
Your preloaded sounds good . Use your steering wheel and get a good feel for the resistance as a reference after you install the sectors .

2 bolt or 4 bolt , install the primary sector and pitman arm . leave it loose so you can feel the teeth tapping while you rock the pitman arm and adjust until you just loose the slack plus just a hair , repeat for the secondary . Getting them tighter than they need to be will prematurely wear your bushings and burden both bearings . Turn your steering wheel and see how it feels .

I notice all 4 shafts I have for the early boxes have a hole a few inches above the top bearing race . The one shaft I have for the late box has no hole . I want my top bearing to be below the oil line so I plan to make a dip stick I can use if I remove the steering wheel nut .

The worm gear balls are probably the most overlooked part . They turn the rotating action into reciprocating motion by force . I use full synthetic 80-90 wt to help ease that burden . A few drops every oil change on the bearing at the top of the tube would also help along with anti size for the steering wheel splines .
 
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