Excessive play in Steering
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 6
From: Pelzer, SC
Excessive play in Steering
Is there a way to tighten up the steering in the steering box. I checked all steering and related components and the play is at the end of the steering wheel shaft where it goes into the steering 'box'?
Thanks
1989 F-150 4x4 300-6 M5OD 137000 mi.
Thanks
1989 F-150 4x4 300-6 M5OD 137000 mi.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Campbell, California
Excessive play in Steering
Yes you can adjust the play in the steering box, but it's a real pain. You'll have to remove the pitman arm and have torque wrenches (in foot pounds and inch pounds) handy.......it's a pain. I had my steering play taken care of when I got the front end alignment done.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: MN
Excessive play in Steering
>Yes you can adjust the play in the steering box, but it's a
>real pain. You'll have to remove the pitman arm and have
>torque wrenches (in foot pounds and inch pounds)
>handy.......it's a pain. I had my steering play taken care
>of when I got the front end alignment done.
Maybe I didn't do mine correctly, but I just loosened the adjuster locknut and turned the adjuster screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn then re-tightened the adjuster locknut. I repeated this a couple of times till my steering felt tighter. It worked fine and only took a couple of minutes. Haven't had any problems with it.
>real pain. You'll have to remove the pitman arm and have
>torque wrenches (in foot pounds and inch pounds)
>handy.......it's a pain. I had my steering play taken care
>of when I got the front end alignment done.
Maybe I didn't do mine correctly, but I just loosened the adjuster locknut and turned the adjuster screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn then re-tightened the adjuster locknut. I repeated this a couple of times till my steering felt tighter. It worked fine and only took a couple of minutes. Haven't had any problems with it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
Excessive play in Steering
Just a simple "hot tip"....make sure the slack isn't originated in the intermediate steer shaft, the coupling shaft between the upper column and the gear box. To check for slack, unlock the column by turning the key towards the run position, go under the hood and look at the shaft closely. You will see where there is a sliding joint, male & female with double flat sides. Using one pair of pliers hold one side steady and use another pair of pliers to twist and rock the other side ....you may just find most of your slack here. Also check the upper universal joint in the same way, as well as the rubber coupling (slide plastic cover off of box to gain access). Ford only sells the shaft complete..about 125 bucks. After you eliminate this area of slack, then you can try tightening the gear box a lil' at a time and test drive for a few days before retightening any further. If steer wheel doesn't return to center during a turn, you went too tight.
Phil
Phil
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: OAK CREEK USA
Excessive play in Steering
I had excessive play in the steering wheel.
All the parts were in excellent shape, but I wanted to get the play out of the steering wheel.
What I did was to loosen the locknut on the sector shaft adjusting screw (on the steering box in the engine compartment). Turned the adjusting screw (allen head) 1/8 turn clockwise. Then I tightned the locknut down.
The truck steers like my mini van. Nice and tight.
Just because it is an old truck doesnt mean it has to steer like one ....
Thanks,
Gene
All the parts were in excellent shape, but I wanted to get the play out of the steering wheel.
What I did was to loosen the locknut on the sector shaft adjusting screw (on the steering box in the engine compartment). Turned the adjusting screw (allen head) 1/8 turn clockwise. Then I tightned the locknut down.
The truck steers like my mini van. Nice and tight.
Just because it is an old truck doesnt mean it has to steer like one ....
Thanks,
Gene
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Excessive play in Steering
you mentioned if the steering wheel doesn't return to the center, then the adjuster is too tight. I've got this problem , I tampered with the adjuster and should NOT have done this. A mechanic told me today that I'm looking at a new or rebuilt gear box. I've tried all the way up and down on the adjuster and no change. It is tight in the center. seems o.k. when turning as into my driveway. would you mind sending me your email adress? pross..thanks... pr1@ipa.net
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