How *Critical* is the Torque on the power steering gearbox?

[RhainyC]

Hubby didn't have a torque wrench when he installed the box...I am going to get by my mechanic's shop very soon, to have him repack the front wheel bearings and I was going to ask him to torque down the pitman arm to gearbox nut, as the manual says I think 200fps on it...but is it ok to drive? I am a bit late asking this but got reminded I needed to have my mechanic do it when I went in next week...

*colour me blonde lately!

 

[Loanranger]

As long as it is as tight as he could get it with a 1/2 inch ratchet, it should be safe to get to a mechanic.

 

[4x4junkie]

I wouldn't drive it ANYMORE than just to get to the shop.

If that arm should happen to loosen, it'll wreck the splines on the sector shaft real quick.

 

[MAKG]

If the arm should happen to loosen, the splines on the sector shaft are the least of your worries.

It will be REALLY hard to steer the truck that way.

FYI, isn't the sector shaft hardened, but the Pitman arm isn't? That means it will bugger the Pitman arm.

 

[4x4junkie]

It'll wobble around on the sector shaft ruining the splines on both (seen it happen).