Welcome to driving an old Ford truck. The steering boxes go bad on pretty much every truck at some point.

 

so u think its the steering box.anything else it could be. Adjustments?

 

There is a lock nut holding a bolt on the top of the steering box. This will provide the lash adjustment for the steering gear. Tightening it up should help, but it's usually just a temporary fix for an already worn out steering gear. I would try it anyways, it should improve the play - IF you've already checked all of your steering linkage for bad parts. Have somebody wiggle the steering wheel back and forth while you're looking at everything to find out where the play is.

That rag joint is also replaceable if that's where it's coming from.

 

thanks for the info. I will post update later.

 

Carefull on that adj. nut. The gears have a high point and if adj. too far your steering can lock up. Ask me how I know! Felt fine going down the road, made a left and that's where she locked up. In my opinion if a steering box needs adjusting then it needs replacing. What's your or someone else's life worth?

 

Excellent advise, I was going to post the same thing. Setting the preload isn't something most backyard mechanics should tackle..

 

thanks for advice. Couple more things headlights work and taillights but only driver side turn signal works and the instrument light doesnt always work. Any advice?