Stiff Steering

[BugsandJeeps]

Hi All,
Just wondering how stiff the steering should be in the M37? When i first got it the tire pressure was under 10 lbs so I aired up to 35. This helped low speed steering but I have run the truck up the road a couple of times now to 30 mph and there is a considerable effort required to turn the wheel at speed. There is a bit of wandering and correction needed but generally the steering wheel is very stiff. Is this normal?

[PoW]

In a word, no.

Park it and have someone rotate the wheel whilst you look for 'slop' in any linkage or tie rod end.

Something is either looking for lube or replacement.

The M37 in stock form is easy enuf to steer.

PoW

[Rdinatal]

The truck definitely needs to be moving to help on the steering effort. Once underway it's not like power steering but fairly easy. A lot of 'feedback' through the steering wheel is to be expected.

As 'PoW' said, put the front axle on jack stands and check movement. Any slop would be worn items. Be sure to check the side-to-side movement of the idler arm.

[BugsandJeeps]

I put the front on stands and checked the slop in the steering. Even with no weight on the wheels the steering is stiff. There is a little play in the steering linkage but seems minimal. I turn the wheel just an inch or so and the linkage starts to move. I do notice alot of side play in the steering box output. It moves back and forth about 1/4" when turning the wheel. I assume that is not normal?

Mike

[BugsandJeeps]

I removed the idler arm drag link and the steering wheel is still stiff to turn. Turning the knuckles/hubs by hand is very easy. That along with the sideplay on the steering arm shaft makes me think i have a problem with the box itself. So i started to pull the steering gear out to disassemble and replace any bushings/bearings. All going good til I get to the 3 bolts that hold the box to the frame. How do you get at the back of those? Do I need to remove the generator?

Mike

[just me]

And I always thought removing the steering wheel was the hard part! You could try offset box wrenches.
(I had the powertrain out when I did mine.)

[BugsandJeeps]

Got it out. Had to remove a splash pan from below and then got them. Steering is very stiff and i'll be pulling the gear apart. Found a great post by sturmtyger380 to guide me through it.

viewtopic.php?t=9432


Pulled the steering gear apart and found that the there are no shims between the lower housing cover and the steering gear housing. Whoever put it back together used silicone and when the housing cover bolts are tightened up the steering gets really tight. Loosen them and the steering is smooth and easy. Are these shims(31, 32,33 in my Canadian army manual) available? The exploded parts view in the vintage power wagons shows them but i don't see them in the catalog.
Mike

[ez8]

Give them a call and find out. They are a helpful bunch at VPW; I've never had anything but good interactions with them.

Midwest Military has them, but John Bizal had a heart attack a few days ago and I wouldn't bet that his family's first priority is filling new orders quite yet.
https://shop.midwestmilitary.com/produc ... late-shim/

It looks like these are just paper gaskets so you could get some different thicknesses of gasket material and make some for yourself. Might be a fun afternoon activity on a rainy day.

[BugsandJeeps]

I was hoping they were just gaskets. I will pick up some different thicknesses and give that a try.

[BugsandJeeps]

I picked up some felpro gasket sheet( 3/64"thickness) and made a gasket/shim. Worked perfect and getting the truck back together this weekend. Hopefully it solves the stiff steering.

[Cal_Gary]

Charles at m-series rebuild has plenty of used steering boxes. Send him a PM from here.
Gary

[BugsandJeeps]

Stiff steering was resolved by the install of the correct size gasket/shim. The install of the lower steering gear cover without the seal meant too much preload on the steering shaft was causing it to be stiff. Added the gasket and took it for a ride. Not quite 1 finger steering but much much better.