brake booster ?steering issue?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
brake booster ?steering issue?
Hi all, have a 79 F 350 4x4 Auto. 400. I hear a hissing sound under dash while truck is running, followed it to the booster , brakes are very hard, when i do push the brake pedal the hissing stops or slows down , brake pedal travel is minimal. I'm assuming the booster is bad? When I pull the vac. line to the booster and plug it truck idles much better. Is it possible that the check valve is just bad? Also from research on this site , my 79 f350 is suppose to have the dual diaphragm 9 1/4 " booster , but the one in the truck measures 11" ? Should I replace with the dual? Next issue steering , truck doesn't seem to wander to bad I know that it needs new bushings etc. , but everything else seems tight. The play seems to be from the steering wheel to the gear box. What are the parts I should be looking to replace or adjust? Is this a gear box adjustment? There is a small u- joint in the shaft and a rubber looking thing going into the gear box. U-joint seems fine , don't know what is under the rubber ? But the play does seem to be in the box? Thanks in advance for any help or advice!!
Rusty Roller
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 5
From: Santa Cruz Mountains
If it's losing vac while running the booster is probably bad. The check valve holds vac when the engine isn't, for short periods, creating enough vacuum. As for the type of booster. Keep in mind they are a matched set. The master has different width flanges for each of the two types.
If you want to replace what you have with the correct type for your F350 AND whats on there now is a F100/250 then the master probably won't bolt up.
Links:
F350 Booster
F100/250 Booster
.
If you want to replace what you have with the correct type for your F350 AND whats on there now is a F100/250 then the master probably won't bolt up.
Links:
F350 Booster
F100/250 Booster
.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
This is kind of the basic rule for adjusting the gearbox. The gearboxes really aren't made to be adjusted too much, but the gears get worn over time and a small adjustment can help
Steering Box Adjustment
If the wheel turns more than one inch, the steering gear needs to be adjusted.
To adjust the steering gear, hold the adjusting screw and loosen the lock nut just enough to turn the screw. Turn the adjusting screw IN a ¼ turn and tighten the lock nut.
Drive the vehicle about a mile making various left and right turns and check it again. If it needs more adjustment, do it a ¼ turn at a time and driving it until you get about 1" to 1½" free play in the steering wheel.
It's kinda tricky though. If you go too much than the gears bind and catch. You'll know. Typically, about an inch of play is desirable. If you can get a little less without binding than that's great. FYI, if you want a really good reputable rebuild, contact Red Head Steering. It's about $350 (not including shipping) for a nice rebuild on the gear box. They usually have some in stock already rebuild and you supply a core. Just something to think about.
Steering Box Adjustment
If the wheel turns more than one inch, the steering gear needs to be adjusted.
To adjust the steering gear, hold the adjusting screw and loosen the lock nut just enough to turn the screw. Turn the adjusting screw IN a ¼ turn and tighten the lock nut.
Drive the vehicle about a mile making various left and right turns and check it again. If it needs more adjustment, do it a ¼ turn at a time and driving it until you get about 1" to 1½" free play in the steering wheel.
It's kinda tricky though. If you go too much than the gears bind and catch. You'll know. Typically, about an inch of play is desirable. If you can get a little less without binding than that's great. FYI, if you want a really good reputable rebuild, contact Red Head Steering. It's about $350 (not including shipping) for a nice rebuild on the gear box. They usually have some in stock already rebuild and you supply a core. Just something to think about.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Nassau Co. NY
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The Peddler
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Nov 28, 2011 08:00 PM
Tractor Boy
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 23, 2006 09:39 PM
Jeff Dodson
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 17, 2005 07:27 PM
