How do I adjust the steering gearbox? - 1988 Dodge Ram Wagon

The idler arm would be in the steering section for a car with a steering gearbox.
Your problem may be a vac leak, or the idle air control valve is sticking open. The idle speed is controlled by the engine computer, so there are no adjustments.

Alot of vehicles have an adjuster bolt on the gearbox, tighten that bolt, should take out alot of the play, if it has the adjuster. It will be a bolt usually on the top of the gearbox not attached to anything like a bolt holding the box in place.

The steering box will have to be removed and disassembled to replace the seal in the pitman shaft and on the steering shaft. You many be able to get a kit that has both seals and the gasket. Be careful to not turn the adjusting screw in the center of the cap as that adjusts the "freeplay". It may be best to take it to a professional.

What year is your vehicle? If it is older and is equipped with a gearbox instead of rack and pinion you need to take the slack out of the gearbox. There is an adjustment nut on top of the gearbox. You will need a ratchet with a long extension and a socket, I think its 17mm. You will see the nut with a slotted post in the middle. Loosen the nut then use a long screwdriver to tighten the screw about 1/4 of an inch. Dont tighten it too much you can cause the steering to bind if you do and ruin your gearbox. Just tighten it enough to take the salck out,. I had to do this on my 95 bronco.

2 inches @ the steering wheel? i do not recommend tampering with the screw on the gearbox. that is for adjusting the sector shaft, usually only adjusted on high mileage gearboxes. since most of your driving is straight the gearbox worm gear wears out in that position, by adjusting it, it tightens up the gap in the gears the problem comes in when turning because it can be too tight on the ends of the shaft possibly binding up in your gearbox.and no matter what happens next it probably wont be good. try checking the couplings in the steering shaft. with the vehicle off, steering unlocked, have someone move the steering wheel left and right making sure not to move the tires, your looking to see play at all joints, couplings, or pivots. where you see one piece moving and the other not.

you should really never have to adjust unless you were rebuilding it, if theres alot of play in the steering then check the front end components, if every thing is tight then replace the gearbox, this is common on these trucks the gearbox wears,

On top of the steering gearbox, is a threaded stud that has a slot in the head of it, and a nut on that stud.

Make sure the wheels are straight. Use a large flat tip screwdriver for that stud, take an end wrench, and loosen the nut.

Screw the stud down 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Tighten the nut. Check the slack. If the steering is too tight, back it off. Too loose, tighten a little more.
Drive the vehicle a few blocks, check the steering out. Come back, and do adjustment some more if necessary.

It's a fine line between too tight, and removing slack. DO NOT drive it being too tight. Readjust until it's right.
If your vehicle is an '83 Jeep, it's 26 years old. The steering box may be worn out.

you need to check the tie rods

here's a good video on how to check them

http://www.ehow.com/video_4774869_check-tie-rod-ends.html

robert

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Is it time for a new belt, or adjustment?

No adjustment, sound like gearbox has failed, be sure to flush power steering system before installing new gearbox.