When I step on the brakes in my Chevelle sometimes theres a clunk, I've replaced balljoints bushings tierods and pitman arm but the only thing left is the stearing box. The stearing seems loose and with the front end jacked up you can move the tire a little before the stearing wheel moves. On top of the stearing box there is a nut with a flat head screw in the middle - Is this for adjusting the 'play' in the stearing box? I would like to hear your oppinions.
Thanks
Jesse

This may sound stupid, but have you checked the universal joints on the driveshaft for play?
.....Sometimes they can deceive you into thinking the "clunking" noise is elsewhere.

I got to thinking the same thing...longshot!
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

Jesse, the nut/bolt is for adjusting the play. Just be sure the steering box is centered (your steering wheel may be off). There is a high spot on the gears, and that's where it has to be to adjust the play, and don't put it too tight, just barely snug. If you get it too tight, you will have to fight to get the steering wheel to turn either way from center.
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phil


It's not a NOMAD, it's a Yeoman!
Not an engineer, but I DO drive a train.

I don't think it's the universal joints on the driveshaft because i just replaced the driveshaft about 3000 miles ago. I will try to adjust the stearing box and see what that does - I allways wondered what the nut/bolt was for- Thanks, Phil, for letting me know how to adjust it.

I re-read your post and didn't see any mention of changing or checking the idler arm assy. ....If bad, that will certainly affect steering play, and can cause noise.

One other thought.......

On one of my Chevy pick-ups, I had the bolts which hold the idler arm assy to the chassis loosen up. ....That created play in the steering, but was not obvious at first.

Also check for cracks where the steering box mounts.
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WPoC

Make sure all of the shims are in place and the nuts are tight on the upper a-arms.
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If it ain't broke...Fix it anyway!