I have slack in my steering wheel. Where is the steering box located and do i just tighten a nut to get the slack out or what? will it be easier to get to it from the hood or underneath the truck.

 

its an 03 f250 6.0

 

Many people believe that by tightening an adjustment nut you can removed the slack in a steering box. You can, but remember that you are setting the alignment of two gears. Most of the time that you drive, the wheel is straight so that one part of the gears in the steering box are almost always riding on each other. Because of this, the gears wear in one spot more than they wear in other spots.
When you tighten that slack in the center of the gear where it is worn, it is now extra-tight in the places that aren't as worn.
IMO, I would look at the entire front suspension to determine exactly where the slack is coming from. It could be almost any of the pieces under there, and if you haven't found the steering box yet, you haven't looked at all the components.
You may end up overtightening and ruining your steering box, (not to mention having steering that binds) only to find out that your problem is still there.
There is a procedure that Ford uses to set up the steering boxes correctly. I would recommend getting familiar with that procedure first and see if it is something you think you can tackle.

 

Took the slack out of my daughters firebird gearbox years ago. Felt good going down the road. The 1st U turn I made the box locked up. If the box is worn, replace it. What's your life and that of your families worth? Steering and brakes don't equate with cheap fixes.

 

I have a 2006 F350 that was all over the road. I tried tightening up the gear box but it never really helped. I also installed a beefier steering dampener but that made no difference either. All tie rods were fine as per two shops. Somewhere in one of the threads here someone mentions Red-Head Steering in Washing state. I got a gear box from them and the truck drives like new. Here is their website: Steering Gears | Steering Gearbox | Rack and Pinion | Red-Head Steering Gears, Inc.

And here are their phone numbers: 1 (800) 808-1148; 1 (206) 364-3333.

Talk to the dad if you can as the son is a little green if you know what I mean. Oh, expect to pay $500+ but it is worth it. You will also have to put down ~ $250 for a core charge. (They tear em down and build em with ball bearing specific to the amount of play between the gears. Ford just uses one size. Makes all the difference.)

Ron

 

03 4x4 cc dually. 50k i just did the red head steering box, actually had my Les Schwab store do it. for the labor and realignment and the box was $450.00 drives like a new machine!straight without having to "saw" at the wheel. seriously some of the better $$$ i have spent on this truck. I will be doing this on my 82 f150 before we put her back on the road