OK As you all know i am in the middle of my engine Rebuild ,While my truck sits at home i am trying to Clean up the Engine bay , and noticed my steering wheel is cockd kinda off to the right ( as in the Ford symbol on the steering wheel is slanted right a bit ) .
also I can turn the wheel from bout 11 - to 1 Oclock worth of Play Before it even starts to engage turning the wheels ...
One more thing the Gear box is leaking Fluid all over my drive way at a very Slow, slow pace ,

anyway and advice on How to fix these Problems would be great and if you have any Links that can Help me or direct me that would be great too .
thxs guys
Jayson
** new engine Pics SOON * waiting on my kits to come Via UPS

 

You can try taking up the slack in the box by loosening the nut on the adjuster and then turning the adjuster clockwise. I just did it on my truck and it made quite a bit of difference. For the leak, is it coming from one of the hoses? You can get replacement hoses pretty easily although I'd probably look into doing a saginaw swap. If you search for it you should find information. I haven't done it yet, but it looks like a good way to get a beefier power steering unit in the truck.

 

No leak is from the box it self . and I am not Quite sure on * what nut your talking bout * i will include these Pics

 

the nut is at the bottom near center of your second pic. It has the stud that sticks out you'd adjust with a flat screwdriver....you have to back the nut off first....
that takes care of the play in the box....dont adjust too much
HOWEVER, Before doing this adjustment check your rag joint and get a friend to watch your steering linkage under the truck as you steer it (while stopped) to see that the play is not in the tie rod ends.

Second the leaking will likely be the sector shaft seal. a seal kit and some time will fix that up.
but be sure the hoses and the pump were not the culprit for the leaking first.

 

ok ty i will work on it this week .
great advice rep point u ty.
jayson

 

I would pull the plastic cover from around the hoses and degrease and powerwash the entire engine compartment while the engine is out. Doubt it is the box its self leaking.

As for the sloppy steering. Have some one move the steering wheel in its "dead spot" while you watch the complete steering system. From the steering shaft coming out of the fire wall to the tie rods. It is common for the "rag joint" in the steering shaft to get worn. Especially with your large tires putting that much more stress on it.

 

I just replaced my box last weekend and it was leaking at the input shaft seal. It took a while to find it but believe me replacing the steering box with the motor out is alot easier than with the motor in. X2 on the powerwashing. good Luck. do a search on here for setting the preload on your steering box before you go adjusting the preload screw!!

biglar

 

Thxs will do i will get back to you all on this topic
Jayson

 

my power steering was leaking and all i did was take the hose off of it and swap the O-rings and it is good as new

 

You can adjust a crooked steering wheel by loosening the nuts on your drag link and twisting it a quarter turn or so.

 

Dont forget with the engine out it raises the suspension a bit which in turn changes your wheel clocking.

 

AHAH smart man thxs , i will just sit my ex in the bay ,, that should fix it !