Classic/Antique Car Repair: steering, lock nut, steering box

Question
QUESTION: how to adjust 1954 mercury steering box?

ANSWER: Does the car have manual or power steering and is the box in or out of the car?
Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: its manual steering and the box is in the car.

Answer
OK, here we go.
1. Jack up the car so that the front wheels are clear of the ground.
2. Locate the adjusting screw and lock nut on the steering box.
3. Remove the lock nut and remove the lock plate.
4. Loosen or tighten the screw until there is just a slight amount of free play in the steering wheel before the wheels move. Make sure that the wheels are in the straight ahead position to make this adjustment.
5. Reinstall the lock plate and tighten the lock nut.
6. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and make sure that there is no binding, if there is readjust.
Good Luck.
Brad