steering box

Does a steering box have a "nuetral or center"?? doses it matter where its set up for driving straight down the road? or is it just a "motor" and as long as you never hit the ends wont matter?

Situation:
reverse saginaw, ford gearbox with 4 turns lock to lock, the 56 willys hits the stops at 2.5 turns. the pitman arm favor's the left side at dead center (2 turns) so when set up to turn the 1.25 turn to left it hits the frame. if I shorten the rod the box will not be in the center position, at rest but will still have the 2.5 turns with out bottoming out.

Sorry this is kind of cofusing!!!
whats your thoughts
CAM

 

Most manual steering gear boxes do get a little "tighter" in the center of there travel so you don't "chase" the steering wheel. The FSM has a great explaination of this and why. Mike

 

Thanks mike
This is a power steering setup with a ford box.
What is FSM??? where do I find it?
Never mind about the sevice manual think I got it!!
CAM

 

FSM = factory service manual.

You should have a 'center' with the Ford box if it's like all other PS boxes. You need to make your tie rod's center the same as the steering box's center.

Run the Ford box to one stop (without connecting it) and then to the other, and count the turns. Half of that will be at the center. Make your steering center at that point by adjusting the length of the short tie rod. Place the wheel on the steering column so that the wheel spoke points up (or down) at center). If you don't have enough travel, lock to lock, then you need a longer pitman arm. Adjust the stops at the knuckles so that the tire just clears the springs at the lock.

hth!

 

Thanks Tim
I have 4 turns (box)and only use 2.5 turns (bump to bump), so good that way.
I'll "center" the pitman arm as you said and go from there.
CAM