Odd steering issue
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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Odd steering issue
My steering is driving me nuts, I'm hoping that someone can help me out. It's a 78 Bronco 4x4 w/ 6" lift & 37 mud tires.
The truck pulls right slightly, but the real issue is cornering. If I take a right turn with the steering wheel a 6 o'clock, the wheels will come back to center after coming out of the turn but the steering wheel wants to stay at 2:00 for the first hundred(ish) yards. It will then want to be at 12:00 and eventually at 10:00 to stay in a straight line. Taking a left is roughly the same. So basically there is a delay between what the tires and steering wheel do when coming out of a turn.
So far I have:
-Swapped tires around
-Had all front suspension components checked. All were good
-alignment done
-replaced track bar bushings
-removed steering stabilizer
-pulled out fistfulls of hair
Any help is appreciated
The truck pulls right slightly, but the real issue is cornering. If I take a right turn with the steering wheel a 6 o'clock, the wheels will come back to center after coming out of the turn but the steering wheel wants to stay at 2:00 for the first hundred(ish) yards. It will then want to be at 12:00 and eventually at 10:00 to stay in a straight line. Taking a left is roughly the same. So basically there is a delay between what the tires and steering wheel do when coming out of a turn.
So far I have:
-Swapped tires around
-Had all front suspension components checked. All were good
-alignment done
-replaced track bar bushings
-removed steering stabilizer
-pulled out fistfulls of hair
Any help is appreciated
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
The steering box has some adjustment but it's based on inch-pounds and pre-set upon rebuild.
I can relate with working alone.... Climb into the engine compartment and turn the steering shaft by hand while observing the pitman arm. It should move in unison. If it does, then look downstresm at the drag link, then the tie rods.
I can relate with working alone.... Climb into the engine compartment and turn the steering shaft by hand while observing the pitman arm. It should move in unison. If it does, then look downstresm at the drag link, then the tie rods.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 1
From: New Albany, MS
Steering box adjustments should always be left for last. All you are doing is raising the sector shaft to take out slack. As inocent as that may sound, over tightening (which is very easy to do) will cause accelerated wear and only cause more problems.
That said, I don't think it's an adjustment issue so much as maybe an internal plumbing issue maybe the valve inside the steering box is
sticking and causing problems.
If you make dead sure that there is no slack anywhere else in the system. I'd go for a box rebuild. Then you can see how worn the the sector shaft and phenolonic piston gear are.
Be sure to check the bolt on your upper trac bar mount. These sometimes get wallered out.
That said, I don't think it's an adjustment issue so much as maybe an internal plumbing issue maybe the valve inside the steering box is
sticking and causing problems.
If you make dead sure that there is no slack anywhere else in the system. I'd go for a box rebuild. Then you can see how worn the the sector shaft and phenolonic piston gear are.
Be sure to check the bolt on your upper trac bar mount. These sometimes get wallered out.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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Thanks for the replies. I'll put it up on jack stands and check things out.
I don't know if it matters, but I should have mentioned that a few weeks ago the bolts that goes through the frame for my track bar drop bracket snapped in half. Try finding a 1/2x6 grade 8 bolt at 9:00 at night...
I don't know if it matters, but I should have mentioned that a few weeks ago the bolts that goes through the frame for my track bar drop bracket snapped in half. Try finding a 1/2x6 grade 8 bolt at 9:00 at night...
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With 6 inches of lift and no track bar I barely made it far enough to get it off the road.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
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was the 6" lift all ready installed? and was the trac bar modified or replaced to account for the lift? if your snapping the trac bolts your binding up due to the lift the trac bar is the ONLY thing keeping that front end in line with out it driveing is suicide you have movement side to side
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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was the 6" lift all ready installed? and was the trac bar modified or replaced to account for the lift? if your snapping the trac bolts your binding up due to the lift the trac bar is the ONLY thing keeping that front end in line with out it driveing is suicide you have movement side to side
The returning to center problem is the only drivability issuer that the truck has.