steering components?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 216
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steering components?
i'm just wondering if steering parts are at all interchangable between 4x4 and two wheel drive trucks. i have a '76 f150 4x4 and the steering is really really loose. are there any trucks that i could look for in the junk yard to find steering parts for? or will i just have to buy new?
thanks
thanks
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 760
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From: Boise, ID
steering components?
The 2wd and 4wd steering parts look somewhat similar prior to 78' but according to part numbers in the catalogues I'm looking at they are different. The 4wd steering swings across the front of the axle where the 2wd swings behind in addition to other subtle differences in shape, mounting, etc...
Pulling steering parts out of a bone yard is a crap shoot. It's tough to tell sometimes how much wear they really have. In my opinion, new stuff is the way to go. You be better off converting your 76' steering to 78'-79' style. It would cost you less to buy all new stuff for a 78'-79' than it would to buy all new stuff for your 76'. You'd need a 78'-79' pitman arm, but that is the one part you could pull out of a bone yard since they really don't wear out. Just watch for wear in the splines to the gearbox.
You didn't say if you've checked the rag joint or the steering box for play. In case you haven't it would be worth checking these out before you buy new steering links.
Pulling steering parts out of a bone yard is a crap shoot. It's tough to tell sometimes how much wear they really have. In my opinion, new stuff is the way to go. You be better off converting your 76' steering to 78'-79' style. It would cost you less to buy all new stuff for a 78'-79' than it would to buy all new stuff for your 76'. You'd need a 78'-79' pitman arm, but that is the one part you could pull out of a bone yard since they really don't wear out. Just watch for wear in the splines to the gearbox.
You didn't say if you've checked the rag joint or the steering box for play. In case you haven't it would be worth checking these out before you buy new steering links.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
steering components?
Checking the rag joint and steering box for play is a piece of cake. Just open the hood and work the steering shaft around. If the rag joint is worn out you'll see slop beteewn the steering shaft and the steering box input shaft. To check the box for slop have an assistant get in the truck and crank the steering wheel back and forth. If the steering shaft is moving without the pitman arm showing any movement then the box is loose. I'd say you should get an 1/8th of a turn of the stering wheel at the most before you see movement at the pitman arm.
You should be able to adjust the box unless it's worn out. A Chilton's manual has a halfway decent description on adjusting the box. The procedure you use depends on if you have power steering or not.
You should be able to adjust the box unless it's worn out. A Chilton's manual has a halfway decent description on adjusting the box. The procedure you use depends on if you have power steering or not.
