steering problems

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Jun 14, 2003 | 08:01 AM

73tank

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 95

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From: Central California

steering problems

Hey all, My 73 f250 is manual steering, and this baby is loose, really loose. My distant cousin actually pulled me over the other day for suspection of D.U.I. not realizing it was me. Everything in the linkage seems tight. the only place I can feel the play is in the gearbox. Ican turn the steeringwheel side about 1/3 to1/2 a revolution before getting any movement out of the pitman arm. What is the best way to check / fix this .

I hit enough stuff already, I don't need any help.

Jun 15, 2003 | 01:05 AM

Torque1st

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Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 30,255

Likes: 37

steering problems

Replace the box. Check your steering column rag joint also.

Jun 15, 2003 | 09:27 AM

73tank

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 95

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From: Central California

steering problems

Can I just replace the gears?, or am I just better off replacing the whole box?

Sep 19, 2003 | 09:11 PM

Psycho-Bob

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Joined: Sep 2003

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steering problems

You're better off changing the box. You'd have to pull it off to change the gears anyway, and it's only three bolts to remove it. The cost also would not be different enough to warrant taking the whole thing apart. Mine went bad too, and I just changed the whole thing. Took about a half hour. But like the other guy said, check the rag joint, too. Good luck with it!

Sep 20, 2003 | 04:38 AM

John Pen

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Western NY

steering problems

What was the cost of the new box..? Was it from the boneyard or parts store ?

thanks..

Sep 21, 2003 | 09:37 PM

Psycho-Bob

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Joined: Sep 2003

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steering problems

Actually, I had a parts truck and used the box from it. But I priced them from parts stores...$300!!! Are they nuts or what??? I would guess you could get one from a boneyard for around $75. Of course, one thing that is always good is to look around for another similar truck that has a broken frame or rotted body and try to pick it up cheap. That way, you can pull off everything that will fit your truck and store it away. That's what I did. I got some grease and brushed it on everything I saved, then wrapped it all in plastic and put it away. I still have stuff left over!