I've searched and looked into this and still have some questions I can't seem to find the answers for.

I have a 1979 F150 Supercab 4x4 that has some sloppy steering. I've got new tires on it (31x10.50), new shocks, new tie rod ends, new drop link, and new steering stabilizer. There is still some play in the steering wheel, and when I'm driving it I'm constantly having to adjust the steering to keep it in the right direction. Sometimes when I'm holding it straight on it feels like it drifts off on its own a bit. It hasn't gotten too bad, but I would like to figure it out.

I've replaced one rear bearing, the other one seemed fine, and from what I can tell both the front bearings and all the ball joints don't seem to have any play in them.

It does have the original steering box, but I'm not sure that is the issue. What I have noticed is the steering wheel can turnabout 1.5" either direction before it feels like it engages the gear in the steering box. The steering shaft does turn as soon as the wheel turns, so I think the delay is either where the shaft meets the box or within the box.

Other things I've noticed are that the steering wheel doesn't seem to return to center unless I help it, and if I reach down and grab the steering shaft, I can move it back and forth quite a bit. When I do it rattles at both the top and bottom. There doesn't seem to be much play in the joint up towards the top. It seems like the whole shaft is a lot looser than it should be.

One issue I've had in trying to figure this out, is that my setup is different than most because its a super cab. I attached a pic of my steering shaft. Because of this I've been having a hard time getting answers. I looked into a Borgeson 975, but if that's not the problem I'd rather not get it. Plus I'm not sure that's the correct one or not. Also, if I do have to replace the shaft, do I still need to get the lower column bearing, or does that come with it? I'd appreciate any help here. Thanks!

 

Have you inspected the splines on the end of the steering shaft for play where it comes out of the fire wall and connects to the end just before the mini u joint??

Have you inspected the mini u joint just down from that?

Is there alot of play where the steering shaft goes into the coupler? Just down stream of the rubber boot? And where it goes inside the bell shaped collar? I believe there is a washer that you can flip around inside that bell, that gets worn? Not 100 % on that.

How about where the other end of the coupler connects to you steering box input shaft?

Your sterring box itself could be worn out if the play is inside there, have you tried to adjust that play? If yes and no fix it, maybe it is Red head time? Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA

Flaming River Steering Universal Joints has the minu u joint, but I believe the steering shaft is not really made to have that u joint replaced like a drive shaft u joint???

Borgson does make a nice replacement. Borgeson Universal Company :: Ford Truck 1970-04

 

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the delay, I've had hectic week. I checked this stuff out earlier but haven't had a chance to respond yet.

Yes, I checked the splines, and from what I can see they seem to be fine. When the steering wheel is turned that shaft and the coupler they connect to move in tandem, no play. The mini u-joint has a little play where it connects, but not much.

That bell shaped collar and shaft have got some play. I can wiggle that shaft back and forth probably more than anywhere else. The boot is also torn in a couple places. Where the bell shaped collar and the input shaft seem pretty tight as I recall, but I'll double check that.

I haven't tried adjusting the steering box itself yet. I wanted to rule out as much as possible before I try that.

The only other thing I can think to add is that it seems like there is a bit of play where the shaft comes out of the firewall, and I'm wondering if there is a bearing or something in there that might be worn.

I don't think that u-joint is replaceable. I've looked at the borgson unit, and the red head. If I need to replace something I will, but I'd rather not spend the money if I don't have to, so I'd like to be a sure as possible. I'll double check a couple things, and probably try adjusting the steering box tomorrow and see if that does it and go from there, unless anyone else has any other thoughts. Thanks for the reply!

 

I need to take a bell shaped collar apart and see about this washer I hear you can flip around and take up some slack.....

Here you go about that supposed washer. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-and-insp.html

 

Man, every time I think I'm going to have a spare minute something comes up. Sorry again for the delay, I'm finally able to update.

Ok, where the shaft goes into the bell shaped collar has the most play. So there is definitely something worn in there. I haven't been able to try to pull it apart because until my new distributor comes in for my car, my truck is my driver. When I was fiddling around with it I also noticed the where that collar attaches to what I think is the input shaft of the steering box has some play. Its the part I circled. I checked the bolt to make sure it was tight, even loosened it and retightened it, but there still is a small bit of play in the input shaft.

The red box in the pic is where the shaft goes into the firewall, and that shaft itself has some play in it. is there a bearing or bushing there I can replace, and if so, what is the part number? I've looked in LMC, but none of their pics and what they are in seem to match up to what I have. I don't know for sure, I may just be blind.

I also went ahead and adjusted the steering box. I tightened it 1/4 turn, then did all the checks. It wasn't binding up at all, and it did help tighten up my steering quite a bit. I may try tightening it a bit more to see if I can get some more of the remaining slop out of the steering.

From what I understand though, this pretty much proves the problem to mainly be the steering box, right? If so, that means I save up for the $350 Red Head, or pay $200 less and get the A1 CARDONE remanufactured one. Any thoughts on this? Or is it possible to rebuild the one I have myself?

 

D8TZ-3B676-B .. Lower Steering Shaft & Coupler Assy. (one piece, no parts were available for it).

1978/79 F150 4WD Super Cab / 1978/79 F250 4WD / 1979 F350 4WD

No one has any NOS, so you have to use a Borgeson shaft instead.

 

Here you go about that supposed washer. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-and-insp.html

 

Wonder if this would work to rebuild? https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/produc...teering-shafts

A lot less expensive than a borgson shaft.

 

Noticed a list of things new that you have replaced. Have you looked at the track bar bushings? I had alot of the same problem and mine was simply the track bar, the bar that goes from passenger side of front axle to the drivers side frame, had the bushings worn completely out. I replaced both sets and the steering wheel movement went away but then found out the threads were worn on the bolt thru the axle and was not allowing me to keep it tight. Replaced the bolt as well and now i can drive 80mph down the interstate and let go of the steering wheel and it tracks true. Hope this helps