Pitman Arm Play Adjustment

[Coupedeville]

Hello Guys.

There appears to be a lot of road kick back in my steering on my 57 CDV.
The manual shows me where to make the adjustment but doesn't say whether to turn the allen bolt left or right. Okay stop laughing........... i know it is either/or but i don't want to adjust it then test drive it only to find it worse, as it is pretty bad on certain roads and quite scary. So making the correct adjusment would be benficial to my nervous condition..............I can hear you all laughing!!

Thanks
Joe Hunt

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Joe,

Nobody is laughing. 

But, you loosen the nut, and adjust the thread in a clockwise direction to actually press the Sector Shaft deeper into the steering box.

The Steering gears are designed with a slight taper to allow for adjustment, and when straight ahead, there should be minimal play.

Whatever you do, do not try to adjust the play with the steering at any angle left or right from centre, or you will be in deep do-do.

If you have to adjust the adjusting thread lower than the lock nut will allow, then the steering box is worn out, or the bearings are shot, as that deep, is too deep.   You need to have sufficient thread to lock the lock nut.

Bruce.

[Dave Shepherd]

Great advice by Bruce as usual, also, be careful not to overtighten that adjustment as it will cause binding and lack of return, this causes a condition of having to constantly make slight corrections while trying to maintain a straight line.  Also check the rest of the steering linkage for play first especially the idler arm.

[Coupedeville]

Hello Bruce & Dave.

Thank you both for the advice.
I will take a proper look at the idler arm tomorrow before i do any adjustments to the pitman shaft.
I fitted a new rag joint a couple months back while i had the steering box out and that seems ok. I didn't go into the steering box at all as the leak was from the end cap seal, much to my relief.
There has always been play in the steering and i do struggle at times to keep her straight on uneven surfaces. I have been told this is typical of 50's Yanks, especially those running on bias ply tyres as mine is, though this is usually the car being pulled to one direction or the other. But the last couple of days i've been experiencing quite obvious knock in the steering similar to when a wheel is out of balance so, something is loose somewhere. So now the process of elimination begins.

Thanks again

Joe Hunt

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Another thing that "plays" with the handling of any vehicle is not having correct wheel alignment.

If everything is correct, even with a bit of play in the steering box, the vehicle should run straightish, with slight movements caused by road surface conditions.

Bruce.