Steering Shaft & Tilt Wheel
#1
Steering Shaft & Tilt Wheel
If I hadn't waited til today to order a CDROM shop manual I could answer some of these questions myself
I already know that these trucks are generally to have sloppy steering
I have a 78 F150 2wd with tilt wheel with a C6. If I grab the shaft above the rag joint I can watch the steering wheel through the windshield and see that there appears to be an inch or so of play in the steering column.
The front end seems good from the new steering box down to the wheels and I can let go of the wheel and it tracks straight, but there is about 2" of play at the steering wheel. I may be exaggerating some. I am going to replace the rag joint even though it seems ok when I twist above/below it. I think I am getting most of the play in my steering shaft.
1. I know lots of people have aftermarket steering shafts. Is it possible to rebuild the joints / OEM shafts? It seems like most of the people who replace the shafts in their truck are those that didn't originally have PS or those with 4x4s.
2. When OEM steering shafts were/are new do they have play in them? I am guessing the U-Joint that allows for tilt wheel wears out. Sometimes I wonder how good this steering actually was right from the dealer when the truck was new and wonder if I should leave well enough alone, but 1-2" at the wheel is way more than my 91 which is pretty similar.
3. How many universal joints are inside of the tilt wheel columns on a truck like mine, from steering wheel to rag joint? Is the tilt wheel joint replaceable and can it be replaced without taking the entire column out of the truck?
4. Are the factory shafts at the tilt portion of column splined or are they even replaceable? I have seen U-Joint repair kits at JBG etc. Has anyone used one?
5. If it is possible to just rebuild the existing shaft, what other parts are recommended? I am going to do the rag joint if I have to take the steering shaft out, even though it seems cool when I test it. I have read about an upper and lower bearing here on the forum.
I already know that these trucks are generally to have sloppy steering
I have a 78 F150 2wd with tilt wheel with a C6. If I grab the shaft above the rag joint I can watch the steering wheel through the windshield and see that there appears to be an inch or so of play in the steering column.
The front end seems good from the new steering box down to the wheels and I can let go of the wheel and it tracks straight, but there is about 2" of play at the steering wheel. I may be exaggerating some. I am going to replace the rag joint even though it seems ok when I twist above/below it. I think I am getting most of the play in my steering shaft.
1. I know lots of people have aftermarket steering shafts. Is it possible to rebuild the joints / OEM shafts? It seems like most of the people who replace the shafts in their truck are those that didn't originally have PS or those with 4x4s.
2. When OEM steering shafts were/are new do they have play in them? I am guessing the U-Joint that allows for tilt wheel wears out. Sometimes I wonder how good this steering actually was right from the dealer when the truck was new and wonder if I should leave well enough alone, but 1-2" at the wheel is way more than my 91 which is pretty similar.
3. How many universal joints are inside of the tilt wheel columns on a truck like mine, from steering wheel to rag joint? Is the tilt wheel joint replaceable and can it be replaced without taking the entire column out of the truck?
4. Are the factory shafts at the tilt portion of column splined or are they even replaceable? I have seen U-Joint repair kits at JBG etc. Has anyone used one?
5. If it is possible to just rebuild the existing shaft, what other parts are recommended? I am going to do the rag joint if I have to take the steering shaft out, even though it seems cool when I test it. I have read about an upper and lower bearing here on the forum.
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#5
1. I know lots of people have aftermarket steering shafts. Is it possible to rebuild the joints / OEM shafts?
2. When OEM steering shafts were/are new do they have play in them?
Not as far as I know
I am guessing the U-Joint that allows for tilt wheel wears out.
Eventually
3. How many universal joints are inside of the tilt wheel columns on a truck like mine, from steering wheel to rag joint?
TWO
Is the tilt wheel joint replaceable
YES
and can it be replaced without taking the entire column out of the truck?
NO
4. Are the factory shafts at the tilt portion of column splined
NO
or are they even replaceable?
I doubt it
I have seen U-Joint repair kits at JBG etc. Has anyone used one?
NO
5. If it is possible to just rebuild the existing shaft, what other parts are recommended?
Sure ... With Less Used parts
I am going to do the rag joint if I have to take the steering shaft out, even though it seems cool when I test it. I have read about an upper and lower bearing here on the forum.
Here is a blow up of the column
2. When OEM steering shafts were/are new do they have play in them?
Not as far as I know
I am guessing the U-Joint that allows for tilt wheel wears out.
Eventually
3. How many universal joints are inside of the tilt wheel columns on a truck like mine, from steering wheel to rag joint?
TWO
Is the tilt wheel joint replaceable
YES
and can it be replaced without taking the entire column out of the truck?
NO
4. Are the factory shafts at the tilt portion of column splined
NO
or are they even replaceable?
I doubt it
I have seen U-Joint repair kits at JBG etc. Has anyone used one?
NO
5. If it is possible to just rebuild the existing shaft, what other parts are recommended?
Sure ... With Less Used parts
I am going to do the rag joint if I have to take the steering shaft out, even though it seems cool when I test it. I have read about an upper and lower bearing here on the forum.
Here is a blow up of the column
#6