Re: Steering Gear Question

Posted by Packard 1948 On 2015/6/17 19:20:50

Thanks Mark...Are the shims really important???

I ask because before removing the front cover I disconnected the steering connecting rod (center link) from the pitman arm as per the manual and performed the "off center pull" test and the "pull through center" test because I really wanted this to be right. I connected up the scale and turned the steering wheel however I was shocked because the steering wheel turned so freely (and very smoothly) that I even thought that the steering shaft might not even be connected to the steering box...however after checking...it was certainly connected so therefore it appears that this steering gear is worn.

No big deal...the manual says that if the "off center"pull was less than 1/2 pound that I needed to remove the smallest shim from the front cover...however...after removing steering gear from the car and removing the front cover there were NO shims in there (see picture).

There were no complaints about the steering before and it had the usual non-power steering feel of turning the wheel when the car was stopped and just a tad of looseness during cruise.

So I am wondering...IF...this is not that big of a deal to worry about (such as buying shims and making it right) or just fix the seal and roll on. BTW...the manual does not show shims in the diagram.

Has anyone experienced that???

THANKS AGAIN!!!

Bill

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