recondude
New Member
- Joined
- August 5, 2006
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Houston, TX
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 93 XLT 2x4
My 93 Ford Explorer has a slight knock when turning the steering wheel from one direction to the other. This is a very light sound, and can only be heard if stopped.
I was just told that these steering boxes are adjustable. I looked it up in our service manual, and there is a section on meshload for power steering gear. It goes through a process of removing the pitman arm, then disconnecting lines, and using an inch pound torque wrench to adjust the load so that the torque over center is less than 10 in-lbs over the torque to go to center from 45 deg from right stop. I'm aware that this is probably vague.
Anyways, has anyone ever adjusted this meshload? If so, does this slight knock sound like a needed adjustment. There is some play in the steering, but it has never been tight to begin with.
If it matters, its a 2x4, 4 door, w/ automatic and 167,000 miles. This adjustment has not ever been done to my knowledge.
Sorry for the long post,
Thankyou for any input
P.S. I meant to ask if it was pertinent that I adjusted the mesh per the steering wheel torque process, or if it would be ok to just adjust it be feel. I understand its meant to be tighter at center than to the left or right. If I put the wheel at center and simply adjusted it to rid it of the knocking sound and play, would that be good enough? I'm not racing the thing. Just want it a little tighter and not making noises. Once again, thanks and i apologize for the long post.
I was just told that these steering boxes are adjustable. I looked it up in our service manual, and there is a section on meshload for power steering gear. It goes through a process of removing the pitman arm, then disconnecting lines, and using an inch pound torque wrench to adjust the load so that the torque over center is less than 10 in-lbs over the torque to go to center from 45 deg from right stop. I'm aware that this is probably vague.
Anyways, has anyone ever adjusted this meshload? If so, does this slight knock sound like a needed adjustment. There is some play in the steering, but it has never been tight to begin with.
If it matters, its a 2x4, 4 door, w/ automatic and 167,000 miles. This adjustment has not ever been done to my knowledge.
Sorry for the long post,
Thankyou for any input
P.S. I meant to ask if it was pertinent that I adjusted the mesh per the steering wheel torque process, or if it would be ok to just adjust it be feel. I understand its meant to be tighter at center than to the left or right. If I put the wheel at center and simply adjusted it to rid it of the knocking sound and play, would that be good enough? I'm not racing the thing. Just want it a little tighter and not making noises. Once again, thanks and i apologize for the long post.