Bad gear box?

[Hardwareman]

I've been feeling every bump in the road for as long as I can remember in my Ranger and was told by shops even that my balljoints are ok. I've noticed a little play in the steering wheel as well so I finally got under it right now while I was changing my rear diff fluid and engine oil. I grabbed the steering shaft and moved it back and forth while the truck was running and it seems to be moving a bit before the pitman arm actually moves.

This steering box has over 500,000 miles on it and most of them have been with 33" rubber. Could this be causing my problem and do I need a new one? Thanks guys!




Allen

 

[4x4junkie]

Quite possible...

You could try readjusting the meshload, sometimes that can fix it if it's not too terribly loose. Be careful you don't adjust it too tight, or it will bind and prevent the steering from working properly.

With that many miles though, other stuff could very well be worn out in there.

 

[Hardwareman]

How do I adjust the "meshload"?




Allen

 

[4x4junkie]

Disconnect the steering linkage from the pitman arm, loosen the bolt on top of the box and tighten the center screw just enough to where you start to feel a slight bind in the steering as you SLOWLY rotate it across center (straight ahead position). Then loosen it back up just enough to relieve the bind (draining the fluid will make it a bit easier to feel for the binding, although I've done it without having to drain it).

If this doesn't help (or only helps slightly), then it's due for a replacement.