so I got a 69 ford f100 4x4. I have real sloppy steering. My truck was converted to 4wd and I'm almost certain that the front end I have is not from that generation, but I was told that fords from that time just came that way. Is there anyway anything I can do to compensate for this?

 

alot of people say that because alot of old fords are like that. play in the steering is so common. but it is the thing that should not be. all it takes on a 2wd power steering model is a $10 little rubber coupling called a rag joint. and maybe tie rod ends, drag link, and the box itself could have play also. you need to diagnose. open hood, open door. stick arm in cab. jiggle steering wheel while watching the input shaft on the gearbox. also jack up truck, place on jackstands, grab a good hold of anything that looks to be associated with steering, try and jiggle it, if it jiggles then it needs replaced.

 

After checking and replacing all that Dave suggested add a steering stabilizer or if you have one a new 'shock'

 

Any pics of the steering setup? If it was done improperly, then it could cause the slop.

 

I think you're right boss man, cuz where that rag joint is... that bushing... the 2 columns around it are held together with beiling wire and 1 bolt. It's haggard as hell. My buddy told me to replace that bushing and secure the columns properly, and that should fix my problem. If not then yall'll be hearing from me again. Thanks guys

 

are you sure its called a rag joint? cuz i checked with o'reillys and they didn't have it...

 

Napa has it on one of their spinning displays.

 

Sarge, Is that truck over ay Lube n Tune, If yours is not, then there is one here that looks just like yours

 

yes sir, that was mine. just got it back home a couple days ago... so anybody know exactly how that rag joint is supposed to come out? I think mine was kinda rigged together. IT WAS WRAPPED IN BEILING WIRE . It doesn't look like its threaded or anything...

 

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...e/S1050212.jpg
here's the joint...

 

There should be two bolts across from each other, either on the shaft flange or on the gearbox flange, if not then you'll have to cut out the rivets and replace them with bolts.
I know I have done this on several vehicles before, I just can't remember exactly how my Fords went together.

 

that's what i was thinking too. cuz i couldn't tell anything that would suggest bolts.

 

oh and i found the rag joint i needed on summitracing.com. 31002 in dorman. they called it a steering coupling.

 

As original: There is no rag joint used on 1967/72 4WD's.

The only rag joints listed in the parts catalog are for 2WD's.

1967/72 F100/250's used a steering shaft and coupler assembly.

If there's a rag joint there now, it's mickey-mouse.

 

did you see the pic in the link? that's a rag joint, yes? the dorman part i found was listed as a coupler disc replacement kit. but if you wanna call it mickey mouse, be my guess . listen. originally this truck was 2wd so somebody did a lot of bad mods on this poor machine. i'm just trying to get her ship-shape again... why is there a difference anyway? i mean, don't they do the same thing?