I'm trying to swap out my Steering box. I'm working on a 74 Mav with a V8 302. Do I have to remove the left header to get the thing out, or the master cylinder? Or the whole freaking engine?!
If you have headers,you will have to get it out of the way to R/R the box.If you have manifolds you "might" have to drop the Y pipe/head pipe to have enough room to slip it out.Otherwise once you get the rusty bolts out and disconnect the rag joint/center link it should drop pretty much straight out the bottm.Do you have power steering??? that complicates it a bit(more junk in the way)good luck.
THanks! I do have power steering, but my gear box is the original manual, so the steering is really sloppy. I'm trying to install a P/S gear box. I guess I might have to drop the steering cyllinder too? maybe the control valve? It looks like everything is woven together!
Have you tried to adjust the pre-load on your box??? sometimes that will cure the slop.I would drop the ps cyl(ram) at the frame bracket. Once the controll valve is disconnected from the pitman arm the stuff should drop out of the way enough to get the box out.
Pre load adjustment? How is that done? I have almost everything apart now. I'm trying to wiggle the Hooker Headers by the engine block bolts The pitman arm and P/s valve fell away nicely. But I didn't realize the headers fit so snug! I might have to take off the valve covers too. Wow, I didn't know what I was getting into! I have everything unbolted, and still everything is locked in place. I hope I can get all this stuff hooked up again! LOL!
Your so far along now that pre-load is the least of your concernes.Theres a set screw and a nut on top of the box.Loosen the nut while holding the set screw in place with a screw driver,turn the screw clockwise till you start to feel some resistance,then back it off about 1/4 to 1/2 turn and lock it in place by holding the screw in position while tightening the nut.It takes some play out of the sector shaft in the gear box,thereby eliminating some of the play.Headers are nice but a real P.I.T.A. when it comes to jobs like this.Make sure you replace that header gasket when you put it back together.Have fun!!
You should always adjust the Input Shaft / Worm Gear bearing preload before turning the Adjustment Screw to Sector Shaft end play
Finally I got it out! I'm glad too, because it doesn't feel good. It turns okay in the center, but then it gets all rough and hard to turn by hand. My replacement one is smooth and easy all the way through. I wonder if my manual box needs a rebuild, or just an adjustment? Maybe I should trade it. Manual steering seems to be popular amongst Mav enthusiasts.
