Steering Box Adjustment

This procedure adjusts the steering box over-center preload to eliminate play in the steering system while maintaining proper steering effort and feel.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power steering fluid × 1 — Mopar ATF+4

Fluids

• power_steering — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear tires
3. Lift front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under the frame rails
4. Remove front wheels for easier access and to allow free steering movement
5. Verify power steering fluid level is correct before beginning adjustment
6. Inspect tie rod ends, ball joints, and steering linkage for wear - repair any worn components before adjusting steering box

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate steering box adjustment screw
   The steering box is mounted on the driver side frame rail. Locate the adjustment screw on top of the steering box - it has a locknut and adjustment screw in the center. Clean the area around the adjustment screw and locknut to prevent dirt from entering the box.
2. 2

   Check initial steering play
   From inside the cab, gently rotate the steering wheel back and forth to feel the amount of free play in the system. Note the amount of play at the rim of the steering wheel for comparison after adjustment. Typical excessive play is more than 1-2 inches at the wheel rim.
3. 3

   Center the steering wheel
   Turn the steering wheel to center the front wheels in the straight-ahead position. The adjustment must be performed with the wheels centered, as this is where the sector shaft meshes at the over-center position. Mark the center position on the steering wheel with tape if needed for reference.
4. 4

   Loosen the adjustment screw locknut
   Using a 1/2 inch wrench, loosen the locknut on top of the steering box approximately 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Do not remove the locknut completely. The adjustment screw is located in the center of the locknut and requires a flathead screwdriver or allen wrench depending on your model year.
5. 5

   Perform initial adjustment
   With the steering centered, use a flathead screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw clockwise in small increments (1/8 turn at a time). After each adjustment, check for play by gently moving the steering wheel back and forth. The goal is to eliminate play without binding the steering.
6. 6

   Check for binding through full range
   After making an adjustment, slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock (full left to full right) to ensure the steering does not bind at any point. The steering effort should be consistent throughout the entire range. If binding occurs, back off the adjustment screw 1/8 turn and retest.
7. 7

   Fine-tune the adjustment
   Return steering to center position. The proper adjustment should have minimal to no play at center (less than 1 inch at wheel rim) while maintaining smooth steering throughout the full range. Continue making small adjustments until this condition is achieved. A slight amount of play (1/4 to 1/2 inch at wheel rim) is acceptable and preferred over tight steering.
8. 8

   Tighten the locknut
   While holding the adjustment screw firmly in position with the flathead screwdriver, tighten the locknut with the 1/2 inch wrench. Be careful not to allow the adjustment screw to turn while tightening the locknut. Consult factory specifications for the adjuster plug locknut torque (typically in the 30-45 ft-lbs range for Saginaw-style gears); verify the exact value for your steering box before final tightening.
9. 9

   Verify final adjustment
   After tightening the locknut, recheck the steering for play at center position and smooth operation through full lock-to-lock travel. If binding occurred during locknut tightening, loosen the locknut and readjust. The steering should return to center smoothly after turning.
10. 10

    Check power steering fluid level
    Check the power steering fluid level in the reservoir. Top off with the manufacturer-specified fluid as marked on the reservoir cap (Mopar Power Steering Fluid or the ATF grade specified for your model year) if necessary. Some fluid may have been displaced during the adjustment process. Do not overfill.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall front wheels and torque lug nuts to factory specification (typically 135 ft-lbs for steel wheels, 100-120 ft-lbs for aluminum)
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands
3. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock several times to circulate power steering fluid and check for leaks at the adjustment screw area
• With engine running, verify smooth steering operation with minimal play at center position
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area to verify steering feel and responsiveness
• Verify steering returns to center properly after turns
• Check for any unusual noises from the steering box during operation
• Recheck power steering fluid level after test drive and top off if needed
• If excessive play returns quickly or steering becomes notchy, the steering box likely has internal wear and requires replacement

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