My steering had alot of play . The gearbox says power steering on it, but it had been disabled since before I purchased my car. I read up on some threads and after verifying my front end components were good I adjusted the gear box by lossening the big nut and turning the center screw clockwise, but when I tightened the big nut to lock every thing up again I messed up by not holding the screw in place and it over tightened it . I tried driving it and the steering is much much tighter... but it doesn't return to center on its own. So I figure I just make an slight adjustment to my adjustment. I loosen the big nut, but now I can only turn the center screw counterclockwise .2 of a turn before it gets stuck. I put a heavy flathead on the screw and channel locks on the screwdriver to turn clockwise and I still cant get past .2 of a turn without feeling I might damage something. 85 GSL

Would anyone have any guidance. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

For what it's worth I think the big nut and the screw adjust different things. I would take the big nut all the way out and see whats going on in there. I suspect you broke the end off the screw. I know I found a steering box adjustment thread on the forum, try the archive. Good luck

 

wiggle the steering wheel left and right as u turn the center screw.

 

Thanks bud, I've been reading through all posts about steering and cant find anyone with the same issue. I did find others that have the same symptom due to overtightening (steering not returning to center), but I have yet to see any that can not loosen the screw after overtightening.

I'm trying everything I can to untighten the adjustment screw including clamping vice grips down on the end and turning couter clockwise... but I can get it loose.

I took the locking nut completely off of the adjusting screw and drove it inside my comunity and turned hard corners to see if that would break it loose and... still stuck.

I found the same size locking nut and used both on the threaded adjusting screw backing off on the one on the bottom and... still no go.

Maybe someone has some suggestions on how to get it loose... otherwise I guess I'm in the market for a new gear box....

Looks like tomorow will break my long streak of using my 7 as my DD (a little over 3 months)

 

DUDE DUDE DUDE!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!

Definately not a 1 person job. RXTASY.... Thanks... My DD streak continues...

I think it speaks volumes about our 1st gens when I start to feel bad about driving my Q45 to work instead.

Just to summarize.... As my nephew rocked the steering wheel I was able to loosen the screw a bit at a time. As soon as he started to feel a bit more looseness I locked the adjustment screw down. Now my steering is tight and returning back to center. Thanks RXTASY. I appreciate it.

 

A mistake that many make is they want to adjust the steering sector first, before bringing the rest of the steering system up to factory, or 'as new' specs. Adjusting the steering is the very LAST repair to be made as many will over adjust the sector and accelerate internal wear.

If your tie rods, idler arm and ball joints are not in good to excellent condition, replace them, the readjust the steering. Over adjusted power steering sectors will wear even faster than the manual ones, because, well, it's powered.

 

Naw, I think he did okay T. He said he already verified all of the other components before he started on the steering box. And he actually read the other threads on this subject and did the necessary research (how refreshing is that?)...

That's a nice tip on wiggling the steering wheel. That was the first thing that came to mind when I read your issue, and I was going to take a guess and suggest you try it. Nice to know that it does work. Good luck with your car, and enjoy the sporty new feel (I know what it's like).

By the way, how about some pics? Hard to tell by your avatar, but looks like a very nice ride!

 

Thanks for all the help. I will post the pics when I get home from work today.

 

She is not perfect... I still need the carpet for the back. I just put that 12A in with about 70k on it. RB header and exhaust. 2nd gen ignition coil. Stock nikki and intake (cant wait to upgrade) wish I knew how much of a difference I will feel. Holly red fuel pump. Waiting on the TT.

 

Engine pics...

 

Very nice ride!

 

Thanks... especially from someone as experienced as yourself...

If there are any suggestions based upon what you see please feel free to comment. As my name implies... always open to learning....

 

Now thats a bad *** air cleaner man. Nice ride!

 

Very nice ride mate, good call rxstacy

 

LOL

Its the stock cleaner sprayed black with open squares cut around it to expose the filter.

Thanks.