Power Steering Gears - SAGINAW Recirculating Ball: Adjustment: Preliminary

Worm bearing preload adjustment must be made first. Over-center preload adjustment is made next. Do not reverse the order of adjustment. Adjustment of steering gear can be made on or off vehicle in most cases.

When making the worm bearing preload adjustment with gear on vehicle, the pitman arm must be disconnected or the steering linkage disconnected from the pitman arm. The torque wrench can be connected directly to the worm shaft (input shaft) or to the steering wheel retaining nut (steering column drag is negligible). When making the over-center preload adjustment, torque wrench is attached to the sector shaft (after removing pitman arm) or the steering wheel nut.