Re: (ET) New tires for steering

[Klein Robert W NPRI <KleinRW Npt NUWC Navy Mil>]

Chris,  I had this problem myself.  Problem was with the for/aft steering 
shaft adjustment.  If it's not set right there's to much gap between the 
sector gear and the steering wheel shaft pinion gear.  As long as these 
gears aren't completely worn (requiring replacement) you can to fix it as 
follow:

Jack up the front end as high as possible to work underneath.  Use jack 
stands under the front end so the wheels are free to turn completely from 
right to left.

The sector gear is mounted on the horizontal shaft.  Make sure the roll 
pin is still  present.  Years of bashing the wheels into stuff causes this 
roll pin to get loose and sometimes fall out completely loosing steering.  
Mine did!

Once you know the sector gear is affixed to the shaft, remove the cotter 
pin at the rear of the horizontal shaft.  Carefully remove the stack of 
thin shim washers from the shaft.  Note the order that there are in.  
Write it down and draw pics.  This is where the steering adjustments 
happen.

Clean the washers and set aside.

Clean and degrease the sector gear AND the pinion gear.  When clean finger 
coat both gears with axel grease.

Take a 6" C-clamp and clamp the sector gear snug to the pinion gear.  
Slightly wiggle the steering wheel to make sure the pinion gear is seated 
in the sector gear.

Replace the stack of washers onto the shaft.  You need to make up a ship 
washer to make up the gap between the end of the stack of washers and the 
cotter pin hole.  I used a couple of appropriately sized SS washers so the 
new cotter pin snugly compressed the washer stack forward.  

Remove the C-clamp and try turning the wheels lock to lock.  It may take a 
few tries to get it right but when done you'll be good for another 20 
years!

Remember to lubricate ALL zerk fittings.

Good luck.

Bob Klein