I have a 88 f-150 4wd there is a quarter turn slack in the wheel either direction any ideas what it is? Thanx

 

Hi Flyer,

That good be a bundle of problems but most common is a worn part in the front end or steering box. Do you know much about front ends and if so you can have a buddy or gal turn the wheel while you have a look under and see where that damm play is.

 

It's either worn steering knuckles or the steering box needs to be tightened up.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!

 

Alright thanx I have a question about my engine it idles high then when it comes back down to normal idle u tap the gas and it idles high again for a minute or so then comes back down any idea what this is? Could it be a vacuum line?

 

How does one adjust the steering box in their 88 F-150?

 

warren: I would get a repair manual and use it. I tried this on the wive's Grand Marquis and messed it up.(without using the repair book) It was binding in about the center postion and was difficult to hold on the road. I tried every adjustment up and down, to no avail. To make a long story short, I ended up replacing the gearbox. So I'm NOT touching this adjustment again. Per the repair book , it sounds like a hassle doing it the correct way. Other posters have said to move it just a little at a time, and I'm not sure if that's in or out. I guess I moved mine too far and it wouldn't come back. You live and learn.....p.s I'm talking the power steering version only.)

 

There is a nut on the top, you lossen the nut, and with a big screwdriver turn the screw inside the nut about an 1/8th of a turn at a time clockwise. Then tighten the nut back and test drive it. You can't adjust it much, or you'll ruin the box, so only a few 1/8 of a turns. If it's really loose, check the steering knuckles, and see if they need to be replaced. Lift the front off the ground, put one hand on the top, one on the bottom of the tire, and try to move it. Can have a buddy move the tire and you look at the steering knuckles to see if they are loose. Do the same with your hands on the side of the tire too. Chances are all the drag links need to be changed, they wear out and they arn't that expensive, so it's probably not a bad idea to change them. The steering box's gears wear, and by adjusting it, you adjust where the gears touch each other, and if you try to adjust it to much, you'll break it and need a new one. So only minor adjustments with the box, other play is due to the drag links.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!

 

An 1/8 of a turn was all it took for mine.
Like brand new now.
Best of luck,
Gene