steering issue

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Sep 12, 2012 | 07:44 PM

93F250

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,139

Likes: 4

From: Maine

steering issue

I have a 2002 F250 4wd reg cab 5.4. It is all over the road. New ball joints. New steering stabilizer. Everything in the front end feels tight when I check it off the ground. I turned the Allen screw on the steering box in until it wouldn't turn any more. It has 62k on it. Has had a hard life in those miles. Towing, plowing and tons of short trips. I don't know what else to check. Any ideas?

Sep 14, 2012 | 06:48 AM

redford

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 23,174

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From: Stephensville WI

How about an alignment?

Sep 14, 2012 | 06:50 AM

projectSHO89

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Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 19,760

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From: St Louis

Check the steering gear for excessive play. If you tightened down the setscrew all the way, you likely aggravated the problem.

Sep 14, 2012 | 07:38 AM

drey04

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Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,467

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From: Midland, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectSHO89

If you tightened down the setscrew all the way, you likely aggravated the problem.

^^^^ what he said. Tightening that screw (aka the lash adjuster) causes the pitman shaft teeth and rack teeth to mesh together tighter.... therefore reducing lash/loose steering. About a 1/4 turn is all you need.... any more and you can cause the steering gear to bind up and possibly break gear teeth.