1967 F250 2wd:
It seems like my steering gearbox is not aligned correctly with the steering column, but I'm not sure how to go about diagnosing this problem.
I replaced my rag joint today, the old one was split in half. It helped a good bit with the slop in the steering, but did not help the sticking or binding in the steering. It was difficult getting the coupler connected to both the shaft and gearbox, like the alignment is off, but I couldn't find anywhere to adjust it.
The sticky steering has been there since I bought the truck, and I've greased all the zerk fittings multiple times, replaced the leaking power steering pump, flushed and bled the fluid, and replaced the rag joint.
While the steering column was disconnected, I spun the steering wheel with no binding feeling or sticking, so it must not be inside the column, but either the alignment between it and the gearbox, or in the gearbox, or somewhere else in the steering linkage.
Any advice? I really appreciate it!

 

So the steering shaft isn't aligned with the steering gear input?

Try the firewall plate located on the engine-side... it has slotted holes. Try loosening and moving up or down so the column can be re-angled. I recall yer gonna have to loosen the clamp on the interior side to allow movement.

 

It may also be your cab mounts are going to hell or the cab mount cushion.
Orich

 

+2 with Orich, cab mount very likely shot. The cab has dropped causing the bad alignment.


John

 

Also make sure PO didn't adjust the steering box, the nut on top with the allen head bolt. If you go to much it binds the box, you might want to try to loosen it a half turn and see if there is a difference.

 

Probably your cab mounts are shot as mentioned above. I had a similar problem with my F350. When I turned it made a cracking noise and was hard to steer and it always veered to the right. I took it to a friend that has a body shop and asked him about it. Without even driving the truck or looking under the hood he said my front cab mount are shot. He did a temporary fix by jacking the truck up and driving short 2x4's between the top of the frame rails and the cab floor. It solved the problem. Steered like it was new. I bought cab mounts from Dennis Carpenter for about $350.

 

My truck is pretty much rust-free, but I'll take a closer look at the cab mounts right now. I already backed off the adjuster on the gear box to make sure that wasn't the problem.
It seems like the steering column is pointed downward more than necessary by maybe 1/2". I took a couple pictures during the rag joint install. When I put the rag joint on the splines of the gearbox, and pushed the column back into place, the bolt holes did not line up. I had to bolt it to the steering shaft flange and really work with it to get it back onto the gearbox splines.





Sorry for the small images. I need to get a different image hosting account...

 

OK, I might have it narrowed down! Everything looked good that I could see, but I read over the artice on fordification of how to install power steering (PO swapped it) and at the end, it talks about the firewall support bracket.

http://www.fordification.com/tech/im...brackets02.jpg

Looks like mine is the manual steering bracket as far as I can tell. The bottom holes aren't oblong, and I can't read anything saying POWER STNG, but it might just be covered in rust. Would it make sense that I could get the steering hooked up, but would be out of alignment causing binding?? Probably what caused the old rag joint to tear in half?

 

I can see in the pictures there is a hole in the coupling plate that is not lined up with the rubber fabric [ rag joint] . You may need to rotate the column part 1/2 of a turn. Any i have had, there was a bolt in that hole
to the steel plate on the steering gear. I can't check mine now to see because i threw it away and replaced it with a steel steering u-joint. I never did like rag joints , they look like something ready to break. I change them out to steering u-joints every time i pick up and old Ford truck.

 

That was before I forced a bolt into both of those holes. My problem is the bracket that bolts to the firewall, supporting the column itself. Mine is still the manual steering bracket. I need the one for power steering. I can't seem to find this part. I would need the bracket, the seal, and the flange that screws in the firewall from inside the cab.

 

Oh , okay i understand , that bracket is different i believe. Mine had "power steering" stamped on it. I should have a couple of them in my salvaged parts but it would be impossible to know where to look for them.

.

 

Hahaha I have parts like that. I know there are somewhere, but... Yep. Funny, I remember my buddy's 69 F100 having sticky feeling steering, similar to this. Wonder if it was the same bracket they didn't swap over. That truck had power brakes and steering swapped into it at some point. Truck got sold a while ago, so we'll never know.

 

I've seen a few references to this steering adjustment, but I've looked down in my engine compartment, and I am not sure what the steering box is or which nut y'all are talking about. Anyone have a diagram or photo?

Front shocks improved the handling significantly, but there is still some play in the steering I'd like to get rid of, if I can.

 

It maybe a allen threaded stud with a lock nut on the end or top plate.

It's very touchy doing adjustments to the steering box okay. Just move the wheel a little back & fourth to find the free play. Turn in once lock nut is loose do a 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time and then test drive around the block so you do a few turns . Tighten a little more until all play is out if possible with out the steering wheel not wanting return to center freely like before adjusting..
Orich

orich

 

Thank you. Do you have a photo or diagram that shows WHERE it is?

I know the box attaches to the steering column, but that's all I know. When I look in there, I see all the power steering apparatus, but other than the pump (only because of the pully) I don't know what any of it is.