Yeah Ace, I think I'd throw it away if it had an inch of freeplay too....
You guys must have some wide roads in Ok...
Curtis73- Is that an 800 series box? If so, see if you can move the sector shaft up into the box at all with the box centered, any more than a few thousandths and you should adjust the sector shaft screw. If the input shaft moves in and out of the box more than a few thousandths it needs to be adjusted...
Loosen up the sector shaft adjustment screw, then adjust the input bearing preload so you get about 2 - 4 inlbs of drag on the input shaft. if it feels clunky or crunchy it is most likely needing a rebuild, but you can adjust it to get some of the slop out.
Once the input shaft bearing is adjusted , you can see what kind of play is left, and adjust the sector shaft preload..
The gear is tapered, and the sector shaft screw pushes the gears together, to take up the slack between them.
IIRC you tighten the sector shaft screw till it has 3-4 inlbs , then back it off 1/4 turn..
I need to make sure of that value, and will do so in the morning.
Once those 2 adjustments are done, any significant play is a result of the bearings and ball channels, and the box is ready to be rebuilt.
I don't have a book with specs here at home. but I would guess that side to side play shouldn't be more than 30 or 40 thousandths at the end of a pitman arm .015-.020 each direction). I likes em tighter than that, but you live with what you get... :mwink:
It is important that you check for slop when the box is centered, otherwise you'll adjust a hard spot into the box..
Unless someone comes up with specs tonight, I'll try to find some for you tomorrow.
I hope that helps,
Mikey