Hand turn Sheppard steering gear?

[tgejesse]

Hi all,

After 2 years of owning and staring at my truck I finally got the help I needed to change my Sheppard steering gear in my 1165.

I read a thread in here not too long ago about the nightmare that was this gear. This thing is a monster. I don’t wish a bad gear on anyone

I still have some work to do, so I cannot do a complete test…. But I was curious if those of you who know enough about these things can tell me if you’re supposed to be able to turn the pitman arm by hand?
I can on my old one, but cannot on my new one. Hoping this is good news.

Curious to hear your thoughts. Here’s a vid of the old one.

June 14, 2024

youtube.com

 

[Mogman]

You are not turning the pitman arm, you are turning the input shaft.

 

[tgejesse]

You are not turning the pitman arm, you are turning the input shaft.

The effect is a turning Pittman arm. Potato potato

 

[Mogman]

I would expect it to be tighter, maybe too tight to turn with your fingers, but yes you have to be able to turn the input shaft or it will not steer.
If it is full of fluid and the ports are capped then it would be hydro locked and very hard to turn, why the truck is nearly impossible to steer without power assist.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

That gear has specific instructions for installation, do not turn the input shaft while it’s out of the truck.
This gear uses a sesctor shaft, turning it to far in either direction can cause issues.