I have a '78 F150 supercab 4x4 with power steering. The gear box leaks at the top and bottom seals. I have to add fluid every few days. My steering also has about two to three inches of play in the wheel. I have asked a few local garages if the gear box can be rebuilt. They said it could but no one would do it for insurance reasons. My questions are can I rebuild it myself or is it to difficult and is this possibly causing the play in my steering which I would like to eliminate? If it can be rebuilt, do I need any special tools or special tricks to performing this job? I have the manual and am fairly mechanical but I don't want to screw this up since the steering is critical to safety. I was told I could purchase a rebiuld for around $175.
Thanks for the advice,
Dett

 

I replaced the bottom and top seal in my 77 f150 4x4, in less than an a hour, for like $15 for the set of seals. The play in the steering wheel can be adjusted, I believe , by tightening the screw on top of the steering gear box, while holding the nut in place. This procedure worked well on my case. I really don't know if they can be rebuilt easily and if there are parts available to do the job. But a replacement for a 4x4 will run you as high as $350.00 minus a core charge of about $100 to $150.

 

I know on my 1976 and on my 1977 ford f series I had play and got rid of it by there is a joint where your steering column comes out the firewall and then there is like a knuckle there. At that joint there is a plastic spacer that is between the joint. replace that it is only I think 28.00 from ford. Also I have redone the gearbox seals on my 1976 f-150 2wd and it was a major chore to do on your own, but I got it done. not a afternoon job.

 

Steer & Gear
1000 Barnett Road
Columbus Ohio
614-231-4064

They manufacture the parts to fully rebuild all gearboxes. They are reasonable and have a warranty. I have used 2, a '79 F250 4x4 and a '79 F250 2wd. They worked great.

 

I have rebuilt one but consider it a pain. It may also not get back to a "rebuilt" specs. It didn't last but a couple more years. At that point I bought a rebuild from PEP BOYS. It's been in there over ten years without a problem.
The adjustment screw on the box is for preload and not really for free play adjutment. You can tighten a little but it will wear things out even worse if too tight.
Check your rag joint and tie rod ends.

 

These trucks have a crappy gear box, just have it rebuilt or buy a rebuilt.

I got mine from Redhead gear in seattle wa.

They showed me the side loads placed on the shaft which takes out the seals.

The rims on my truck where 95 lbs each, factory was bias ply tires.

Radials put more load on the box, harder to turn.

Thats what was explained to me. My truck steers so sweet now!!

 

I have excessive play in mine too (78 bronco). I have been told that they are notorious for excessive play and that rebuilt ones are too... pep boys, auto zone, etc. Because they use the old cores and just do a cheap rebuild (seals, etc). I have been told to do it right you need to buy a system like the rock ram that costs $$$. Someday I would like to when I get the money and the bigger tires.


Tie rod ends, rag joint, steering box, steering colum knuckle, etc. etc. The FIRST thing you need to do if find out where the play is coming from. There are lots of things that cause steering play in these ol' fords! Have your wife, kid, freind whoever turn your weel back and forth (just the amount of the play, dont actually turn the tires) and look under the hood and watch were the shaft stops turning. On mine the shaft going into the gearbox rotates but coming out of the box doesnt so then the play is in the box. I havent yet tried to open the box or anything, I might try to tighten that adjustment screw that 77sFORDPLAY mentioned (i dont care about excessive wear... the thing is practicaly dead anyways lol) and / or I might look into Steer & Gear
as I am also in columbus (thanks Mitch).

 

Steer & Gear completely rebuilds the boxes. They actually manufacture new replacement parts and are not just new seals. They are worth the money.

 

Borgenson makes a good replacemet steering shaft for these trucks. I used one on my highboy and it took about all the slop out of the steering. The steering shaft uses dual u-joints.