Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1949 Chevy truck steering, chevy truck, steering box

Question
Tazz, there is a lot of play in my '49 Chevy steering. Is there a way to adjust the steering to see if I can reduce or eliminate the free play without removing everything and rebuilding?


Answer
Definitely. On the steering box itself there is a slotted stem with a lock down nut. Loosen the nut and slowly screw the tensioner in while someone lightly moves the wheel back and forth.

This all of course presumes all is well in the front end. Idler arm, tie-rods, etc.