hi guys,

this is an issue since i bought the truck 3 years ago. long story short, there is some slack in the steering wheel. couple of questions. how do i tighten it? i just wanna do it a smidge.

also, a while back, some alignment tech broke off the plate on the adjusting sleeve for the drag link. he claims tat it was in the way and it blocked his path to do his job. tat plate holds the two ends of the clamps on the adjusting sleeve.

another alignment tech at Strouhal Tire center in east houston broke one of the bolts on the adjustment sleeve and proceeded to give me another bolt and nut. different size and all.

it's been very annoying thru the years. i constantly have to adjust and adjust. i also find myself torque-ing down different torque ranges cos there are 2 different bolts on the adjusting sleeve. 1 bolt i torque to 41 ft lbs. (original). the other i torque to 55 ft lbs. (different size bolt).

anyway, i bought a new adjusting sleeve for the drag link. here is my question. is there a shortcut to replace this? like turn it in one direction until it unscrews itself off? if so, then i could just screw the new one back on then. i'd like some confirmation on this, if possible.

thanks in advance,

dom

 

Dom have you tried to adjust the gearbox itself?? As for the sleeve the easiest way I have found is pop of the tie rod that connects to the pitman arm, and screw in one side at a time. If you try to do both at the same time it is real easy to cross thread and then it really sucks.

 

Thanks for the quick response. Tats wat I meant. The gearbox. Where is it and how do I do it? There are 2 bolts and 1 adjusting nut. Gotta loosen both bolts. How much do I adjust? Oh and some pics with indications would help, guys. Thanks!

Btw, wat is the torque setting for the drag link by the pitman arm? I forgot. It's been a while. I had replaced it back then. Over a year ago.

But please correct me if I'm wrong. Can't we just turn the adjusting sleeve one way until it comes out completely? Just curious.

Thanks man!

Dom

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There are several posts about adjusting the steering box on the Excursion site. Below is one, there is one older post with a details on which way to turn the wrench, and if you are tall enough where you should stand to do the adjustment from the top...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ent-panic.html

 

Something else worth noting is to do this in VERY small increments. 1/16 or 1/8 turn at a time then drive it for a while (days). It takes VERY little to take the slack out and very little more to cause serious (dangerous) steering issues.

 

Yes if you keep turning it, it will come apart. Problem is when you put it together if you dont get it perfect on both sides it will cross thread. Oh if you do it that way make sure your steering wheel isnt in the lock position.

 

Yes sir. Makes sense. They both have to go on the sleeve at once.

Dom

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Thank u. I will look at it.

Dom

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Thanks Tim. Will do. Yes I believe tats wat I read a while back. Like 1/8 of a turn.

Dom

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The thing is, after a while the steering gear gets "worn in" to a certain spot (mainly straight) and too much adjustment may cause the steering to hang during one of those pucker moments, if you get my drift.

 

So u think I should leave it alone, boss?

Dom

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Nope. Follow the instructions provided, give it a little tweak, and drive it down to where that jackleg screwed up your steering linkage and make HIM fix it on his dime--LOL.

 

Tat was over a year ago. And besides, I have the new adjusting sleeve for the drag link. I could attempt to put it on myself via the shortcut. Do u think tats doable? Basically, turn the old one in one direction to get it out, and screw in the new one. Let me know wat u tink bout tat. Thanks.

Dom

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today is the day. i will attempt my shortcut. i just realized tat while backing out tat sleeve, it turned my wheel and locked it. oh, i've released the wheel, and i think it will be easier if i got the front axle on jack stands and if i left the key on engine off.

any other suggestions will be much appreciated. i shall attempt it again to try to back tat sleeve out without breaking anything. wish me luck!

 

Update. Success! Now to drive it of cos. put the truck on jack stands. Put the key to KOEO. So much easier! Turn tat thing and away we go! Once it pops out, fantastic. Then screw on about half an inch onto the drag link bar tat is attached to the pitman arm. Inner drag link or whatever it's called. Then line it with the outer drag link and screw it in. Most important thing at this stage is tat the sleeve is supposed to screw on freely. If it doesn't go on freely, then ur angle is wrong. Back out and try again.

Of cos, it will also help if u marked it previously with a paint marker on the screw threads. But tats not necessary. Just screw it all the way in until ur at the previous setting where the old sleeve would have sat. Then, remove the jack stands. In essence, drop the vehicle. Do some more adjustment until u get the steering wheel to tat desired center. Tighten the lock nuts on the sleeve to 41 ft lbs and ur good. I did mine to about 45 ft lbs. take the key out. Ur done unless u want to take it for a test drive.

I'll post a picture of the new sleeve on Facebook and I'll share the link here. The new sleeve definitely is different from the original sleeve.

Dom

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