Can anyone explain how the adjusting screw on the steering box works? I put in new seals and new bushings in my steering box and now have it reassembled. The book says to have about 1 lb. of drag on a 8" arm attached perpendicular to the arm that goes to the steering wheel. No matter how I adjust the screw I can't seem to increase the drag. Everything seems nice and tight, with no play in the worm gear. The adjusting screw itself has quite a bit of wobble in it when it is not threaded through the cap. Any suggestions?

I just adjust them so there's a tiny bit of play, and that's that. I don't think you want to take out 100% of the play, just 99%. If it's tightened to the point of measurable drag, that represents some level of wear taking place -- maybe that was fine when the box was new and replacement parts were available, but I wouldn't go that way now.

An addendum to that - only adjust the play out with the wheels pointing straight ahead. For whatever reason there is always more slack with the wheels turned one way or another, if you adjust out the slack it will be too tight when straightened out again.

I've had a rebuild kit (bushings, seals, gaskets) sitting around for about 10 years now waiting to go on the 1800E's box. But it doesn't look terribly easy, and that has never percolated to the top of my to-do list.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The rebuild I did was dead simple. The steering box came off the car easily, but then I had the engine out of the car so clearances weren't a problem.

Once out it is just a matter of unbolting 8 bolts and taking the pieces off. My kit had new seals and gaskets, and two new bushings. I had the bushings pressed in and reamed at a machine shop--cost $20. The new seals are the same as seals for wheel bearings--just tap into place. While it was apart I cleaned everything up and painted the steering shaft gloss black. Still, if you aren't taking stuff apart anywhat I suspect it is easier to leave it alone....