Steering Gears & Linkage: Adjustment

Check for excessive free play in steering by raising front of vehicle, placing wheels in straight-ahead position, and lightly turning steering wheel back and forth while holding one of the wheel spokes at outer end. Free play should not exceed 5/8" (15 mm) before resistance is felt in steering wheel.
If free play is excessive, check for loose or worn steering linkage components, check for tight mounting of gear box, and check for proper tightness of gear box cover. If these are found to be in good condition and properly tightened, continue to next step.
Disconnect drag link from pitman arm. Turn steering wheel 180-200° from center, in either direction.
NOTE: Center position is determined when pointer on worm spindle dust cop is in line with square boss on worm cover plate.

Loosen adjusting screw lock nut and turn adjusting screw out one full turn.
Working under vehicle, move pitman arm back and forth while gradually tightening adjusting screw. Repeat until no play is felt at pitman arm (without stiffness). Hold adjusting screw in this position and tighten lock nut.
Take off horn button and disconnect horn wire. Attach a torque gauge to steering wheel nut. Turn steering wheel through centerpoint. Steering is correctly adjusted if torque gauge reads 7-11 Inch lbs. (8-12cmkg). If necessary, repeat and recheck adjustment.