Loose Steering
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
Loose Steering
My 88 F150 short bed super cab is all over the road. It feels like the slop when going from one side to the other is exessive. seems OK when holding a slow turn on either side or holding to left on right side slanting road. What's the fix?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Loose Steering
Check the tie rods, bet they are old and loose. Also, I bet the steering box is worn and loose too. You can tighten it up with the screw on the top but not much or you'll ruin it. What happens is the gears get worn on the inside and makes everything sloppy. When you tighten them, they move and when they move, the contact patch of the gear changes which can cause it to break. I tighted mine a few 1/4 turns and it's still really loose. My tie rods need to be replaced too. On the highway I can turn my wheel back and forth about 4" before the truck will turn.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
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Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: West Coast
Loose Steering
Good question, my 94 Cargo van does the same thing at 193000 miles.
A likely suspect are the bushings in the suspension. Many people report much improvement after replacing the radius arm bushings. Certainly, tie-rod ends are a good guess. Ball joints too (if yours has ball joints). Basically though, all the bushings are suspects since they are cheap rubber parts and they get soft and mushy and make suspension.
A likely suspect are the bushings in the suspension. Many people report much improvement after replacing the radius arm bushings. Certainly, tie-rod ends are a good guess. Ball joints too (if yours has ball joints). Basically though, all the bushings are suspects since they are cheap rubber parts and they get soft and mushy and make suspension.
