Maintenance and Adjustment of Classic Manual Steering Gears

If you drive a classic car or a vintage truck, you might be familiar with the “quarter-turn wander”—where you turn the wheel, but the car keeps going straight. Many owners accept this as “old car charm,” but it usually indicates a neglected Manual Steering Gear.

Unlike modern sealed units, classic manual boxes (often Recirculating Ball or Worm and Sector types) require specific maintenance to stay sharp.

Highway Car Driving. Caucasian Men Behind the Wheel on His Road Trip.

1. Lubrication is Life
Manual gears don’t use hydraulic fluid, but they aren’t dry. They are filled with heavy gear oil or semi-fluid grease. Over decades, this lubricant can leak out or harden into a wax-like substance. Checking and topping off the gearbox lubricant is the first step to preventing internal wear.

2. The Lash Adjustment
Most manual boxes feature an adjustment screw (sector shaft adjustment) designed to take up slack as gears wear.

• The Warning: Over-tightening this screw is the fastest way to destroy the box. It binds the gears, preventing the steering wheel from returning to center. Adjustment should be done in tiny increments to find the “sweet spot” between no play and no binding.

3. Check the Mounts
Sometimes the gear is fine, but it’s loose on the frame. Ensure the mounting bolts are torqued to spec.

With proper grease and adjustment, a manual steering gear can offer precise control, proving that your classic car doesn’t have to drive like a boat.