First of all, I'm new here. I've been absorbing a ton of information over the past five months of owning my 2004 Excursion. I bought the truck as a project vehicle and during my spare time, which I have very little of, I've been bringing the thing up to a reliable and safe state. Once I'm satisfied with that I'll start with some of the fun modifications which I may touch on at a later date.

So far I've rebuilt the entire front end. Ball joints, all the steering components, etc., including the steering box itself. The only part of the steering not replaced is the shaft, but that seems to check out to be "play free". Anyway, I replaced the steering box with a Redhead unit which was an easy task for the most part. After all of this the steering is MUCH better, but I still have a tiny bit of play which I think I've diagnosed as coming from my new steering box. I'd really like any opinions on whether this is typical or not.

With the engine off and steering wheel centered, and I can lightly turn the wheel left-to-right and feel maybe 3/8" of play, measured at the steering wheel, before the end of the pitman arm starts to turn. While doing this I've watched the output shaft on the steering box wiggle a bit from side to side ever so slightly, so I'm confident this play is in the box itself. I suspect bearings, but being a newly rebuilt unit from Redhead I wanted to check with the general population first to verify that a little bit of play is not to be expected out of this setup.

Just to be clear, I do notice the play while driving, it's just a little easier to describe with the truck shutdown and stopped.

Let me know what you think. I'll likely be calling Redhead but I'd rather understand first whether I have an issue or not. Thanks!

In case it matters, this is a 2004 4x4 with the 6.0 PowerStroke. ~145,000 miles.

 

Check your rag joint for wear.

 

It's not the rag joint.

So, is *any* free-play at center normal? If not I'm going to follow through with another replacement steering box as that's where the play is.

 

Well, my redhead is basically brand new (less than 3000 miles on them), and so are ALL of the steering/suspension components including the track bar. I have about 1/4 or so play in the wheel, so it is probably normal. I have never had a vehicle with conventional steering that did not have that play.

 

Call Harvey at Red Head and talk to him. He'll know more about it than almost anyone else.