Steering
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 156
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
Steering
On my 1983 f-150 4X4 5.8 liter truck, the truck is hard to keep on the road. The front end has been checked out, and aligned, and am told nothing is wrong. I have to constantly fight the steering to keep the truck straight. Is this normal? Would it be a sign of the steering box wearing out?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
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From: Dallas, GA
I have somewhat of the same issue, I think, if I understand your correctly.
I have replaced all of the steering linkage and joints but I have some slop in the steering box, which happens as they age and wear.
The symptom is that you have some slack in the steering wheel. Feels like you have to turn the wheel a bit before it starts to respond. Then when you go back the other way you have to take up that slop again. So you end up with some free play where you are moving the wheel and nothing happend until that slop is taken up.
If that's what you are feeling then yes, it is probably a worn steering box. Assuming the rest of your steering and suspension is in good shape as you state.
I have replaced all of the steering linkage and joints but I have some slop in the steering box, which happens as they age and wear.
The symptom is that you have some slack in the steering wheel. Feels like you have to turn the wheel a bit before it starts to respond. Then when you go back the other way you have to take up that slop again. So you end up with some free play where you are moving the wheel and nothing happend until that slop is taken up.
If that's what you are feeling then yes, it is probably a worn steering box. Assuming the rest of your steering and suspension is in good shape as you state.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
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From: Dallas, GA
In my opinion it is not real complicated. There are some special tools you will need to get the pitman arm off and sometimes getting it loose from the steering column can be difficult.
It's not the most difficult thing to do on these trucks. If you're mechanically inclined at all, I would go for it. Get a manual and follow it. Most parts stores like advanced or O'Reilly will have the tools to loan you or rent to you.
Kinda comes down to how urgent it is. If it's a daily driver and you gotta have it now....then that may weight toward having some one do it. If you don't need it right away then my vote would be go for it. You have all of us if you have questions along the way
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 69
From: New Zealand
There is an adjuster to eliminate freeplay on top of the steering box - a screw with a locknut.
When I bought my truck the rod ends, kingpins & bushes, wheel bearings etc were all tight but the truck still wandered dangerously.
Replacing the rag joint helped slightly, but tightening the steering box at the adjuster took out 90% of the play.
The Haynes manual gives the adjustment procedure.
But if the steering box is too worn, you won't be able to adjust all the slack out, without creating other symptoms like binding. A rebuild is necessary at that point.
When I bought my truck the rod ends, kingpins & bushes, wheel bearings etc were all tight but the truck still wandered dangerously.
Replacing the rag joint helped slightly, but tightening the steering box at the adjuster took out 90% of the play.
The Haynes manual gives the adjustment procedure.
But if the steering box is too worn, you won't be able to adjust all the slack out, without creating other symptoms like binding. A rebuild is necessary at that point.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Or losing road feel.
This is one of those things can easily be messed up if misadjusted, be careful here and be sure you can return the settings to how they were.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Pay attention to clocking positions when replacing the sector box. You can lose travel in one direction or the other if everything isnt centered up just right when it goes back together. The wheels have to be centered and the position of the sector shafts have to be centered.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, GA
Pay attention to clocking positions when replacing the sector box. You can lose travel in one direction or the other if everything isnt centered up just right when it goes back together. The wheels have to be centered and the position of the sector shafts have to be centered.
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