Steering Rack Preload adjustment help PLEASE!!

It was tightened by the previous owner, how do i go about loosening this? I cant get to it from the from under the front or from the wheel well

 

I realize i have to loosen the nut at the base, does anyone have the size of the nut?

 

Definitely bigger than 10mm.

 

Are you having any issues? Once you start messing with the preload it is only a matter of time until the rack has too much strain on it. You wont be able to tell how much to loosen it as well.

 

Steering wheel isnt returning to center after a turn, just had an alignment and everything was in spec, would loosening it increase the strain on the rack?

 

Are you certain it was tightened? Do you have the specs from the alignment?

 

Is it hard to steer all the time as well?

 

I dont have the printout, but i took it to two different shops because the first one said their printer was down, and i couldnt get a print out, second one gave me a print out and it showed everything was in spec, except camber was off one of the front tires, but they fixed it, no it doesnt have any trouble, steering normally, im not 100% sure on if it was tightened just speculating

 

The preload adjusters on both gearboxes and R&P steering setups are to take slop and looseness out of the wearing gears. It is much more common with gearbox setups that they need adjusted. I believe your issue is something else.

 

Have you inspected your front end for binding parts in the front end and steering shaft? When going straight and only making a couple degrees of steering a bind up most likely wouldn't be noticed but multiple rotations of the wheel when turning could be noticable. The alignment shops should do that but they may not have. I would start by having a thorough inspection done.

 

I don't get any binding and the u joint looks good in the steering shaft

 

Big channel locks loosen jam nut and back off like 1/16 of a turn and see how it feels

 

How should i go about reaching it? The wheel well is super tight and i can barely get sn angle through the front

 

You can I’ve done it your gonna have to try some different angles to get it. If not u can remove the 2 17mm bolts and move the rack around to a position that works

 

I was thinking this. I’ve had to do it on my solid axle f250 but you’ll know you need to adjust it because you can turn the steering wheel slightly and it won’t turn the vehicle while driving down the road lol.

 

I would look else where for your trouble.
Tweaking on the rack preload adjustment shouldn't be taken lightly.

 

Could this be a caster angle issue?

If nothing is binding and it's otherwise steering normally.

I'd be interested to see what the caster angle is.

 

Ya don’t think your gonna pull that much caster with a stock arm. If in fact someone played with the preload more then likey that’s your issue and looking at the pic you can see someone has in fact adjusted it. Just buy a reman steering rack. Do not buy aftermarket new

 

I will agree.

And I don’t know why the previous owner fooled with the adjustment on the R&P?
You are going to need to figure out how to measure the preload.
I’ve never done, and I don’t intended to ever do it.
I’ll likely buy a whole rack.

Best of luck buddy.


Hopefully this helps you in some way?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiuveryk-P4AhXqmmoFHY28ChkQFnoECDEQAQ&url=https://www.tundrasolutions.com/attachments/tsb-pdf.5909/&usg=AOvVaw3Zbb6mvKvXqpVqJUbhl8Wh

 

Sounds like he was just figuring that since everything else seems good that this was the last option and didn't actually know if the PO did adjust it. Most likely a situation with caster that is too negative.