[mustangman1966t]

There is a screw on top of the box that has a nut at the base to lock it in place. Go to the website that you referenced and look at the diagrams. Bexley is right, the design will always have play to it. My '66 coupe (manual) was at it's best with one inch of play. I firmly believe in converting to rack and pinion unless the car is being restored for competition.

[Player]

Sounds like the rack & pinion option is the way to go. Any suggested companies/brands other than Randal's Rack?

Those pictures on the site will probably make more sense once I get in there and work on my steering box, but I thought the screw on the top of the unit is where you fill it. Not where you adjust it.

[mustangman1966t]

Total Control (TCI) has a nice one. Stay away from Flaming River as far as racks are concerned. Check out Mustang Monthly. They have great articles on rack conversions. I think the current has one for '69s. I know their website has the tech articles.

[Player]

Regarding the steering box, do you just use a standard grease gun to fill it?

[STERLING351]

Originally Posted by Player

I'll have to measure...but I would guess a couple of inches each direction.

My Mach1 does the same thing, just not inches of play, mine is like .75inch each way, i just sucked it up and got used to it. Does it bother you that bad?

[Player]

I think I'm noticing a couple of inches in both direction. Hard to keep it straight without jumping all over the lane. Too dangerous.

So to fill the steering box, do you just use a standard grease gun?

And it looks like you fill it from the top, right? And where is the adjustment screw? It's pretty dirty and hard to access to get a good look at it all.

Thanks!

[mustangman1966t]

The adjustment screw is on the flat side of the box. There should be a locking nut to loosen before you can tighten the screw. Make adjustments a 1/4 turn at a time. Remember, overadjustment will damage the bearings.

[Player]

I'd like to try making sure it's full before adjusting it. Anyone have any info on that (such as, does it just take a normal grease gun?)

[mustangman1966t]

Take the lid off and squirt in the grease.

[Player]

Really? I had read something about turning the wheel to one side and pulling out one screw, filling it, putting the screw back. Turning the wheel to the other side, taking out the screw on the other side, filling it, and returning the screw. Something to that affect. Is that not correct?

[mustangman1966t]

Guess my memory is bad, it's only been at least twenty years. I can check my Ford Repair Manual at the house.

[Nuke Laloosh]

Originally Posted by Player

I think I'm noticing a couple of inches in both direction. Hard to keep it straight without jumping all over the lane. Too dangerous.

So to fill the steering box, do you just use a standard grease gun?

And it looks like you fill it from the top, right? And where is the adjustment screw? It's pretty dirty and hard to access to get a good look at it all.

Thanks!

Mine does the same.... Only I have roughly 3+ inches of play in either direction. It feels very unsafe for me (a novice Mach owner). I am interested in a new Rack & pinion setup as well. My eyes are glued to this thread.

[mustangman1966t]

Gear box adjustment
Disconnect the pitman arm from the sector shaft. Lossen the nut which locks the sector adjusting screw conterclockwise. Measure the worm bearing preload by attaching an in-lb torque wrench to the steering wheel nut. With the steering wheel off center, read the pull required to rotate the input shaft approximately 1.5 turns either side of center. Manual 9-10 in-lbs Power 8-9 in-lbs. Turn the adjusting screw until steering wheel in-lbs are within limits.

[Player]

Thanks, mustangman1966t!

I'm guessing there's a lot more involved with "Disconnect the pitman arm from the sector shaft" then it initially sounds like. Particularly with it being buried in there.

[mustangman1966t]

If you can't get to the nut, try disconnecting the pitman arm from the rest of the steering and leave it attached to the gear box.