wow what a pain in the neck this has all been.
from autozone i put a new cooler, pump, filter, hoses, custom lines/brackets, and rebuilt a1 cardone saginaw ford gearbox.

i went ahead and replace everything!
the gearbox right when i got it just looked like roasted ***. shot with cheap spray paint, and nothing more than a "resealed gearbox"
rebuilt my foot!

i jacked the front off the ground, carefully put fresh fluid in it and turned the wheels lock to lock probably 20 times and properly bled it.
i didnt take the easy route at all and i was very meticulous about how i worked on it.

it has tons of play!

i can grab the flange of the input shaft right where the rag joint is (which is also new by the way) and i can wiggle it around while watching the pitman arm do nothing. and then driving down the road its gotta be at least an inch of freeplay in this sucker.

i spoke with a tech rep this afternoon who told me to snug the preload
adjusting screw, then back it out 1 full turn.
this made it looser.
after driving it again i snugged the screw, then turned it in 1/4 turn.
now it made the steering harder, and it wouldnt return back to me after taking a turn, but
it does not in any way tighten up the freeplay. whenever tightening this nut the freeplay will always still be there.


it appears i am going to have to take numberdummys advice and go with redheadsteeringgears. the cost of time and money with all of this so far has been enormous, but i just gotta have me some nice tight smooth steering once and for all.

 

Every now & again we have to look at a part and say this damn thing looks to be in toooo bad of shape and pass on it.

I read in your post that it had a flashing light on it that you ignored.




John