Driving my truck home yesterday after getting a tune-up the steering was binding or kind of locking up when making a left turns. I was able to muscle through it. It did not do it every time. I haven't had any problems like this. It's a stock set up, 53 f100. Thoughts?

 

The wormgear on the steering shaft inside the box is a weak spot, if it is original that might be the cause. Small metalparts can come of and jam it.

Just a thaught

 

Climb under it and look. Could be a hanging wire, or maybe even something they forgot to remove, etc. You said you took it for a "tune-up". What did they do?

 

Maybe they adjusted the steering box?

 

Hate to say but I had a similar issue with my 54. It turned out to be a worm gear/sector gear issue in the steering box. I ended up going to the Toyo conversion, its not worth rebuilding a stock box in my opinion. I highly doubt anyone adjusted the gear box during a tune-up unless they were familiar with that type of setup. Most mechanics nowadays don't know squat about the older stuff. I once took my truck in for work and the mechanic asked about the ball joint delete modification on my axle. Sometimes things happen totally random and have nothing to do with other work that was recently performed.

I would get the front end lifted up so the tires can be turned freely without the weight on the truck. See if the resistance is still there. Check your drag link and make sure it is not binding and that the pitarm swings front and back without obstruction. Report back. Good luck.

 

I'd disconnect the drag link and check the steering gear. If the gear turns smoothly then jack up each side (one at a time) of the truck, disconnect the tie rod and try moving the wheel left & right. You'll notice the frozen king pin.
Keep us posted on what you find out.

 

I took it to a 70 year old guy who changed out the plug and wires for me. The points were good so thats all he did. I drove it about 20 miles back to my house. It was really weird. I haven't had the chance to do anything with it. I work two jobs and have two kids under the age of two, so I am sure most of you understand.

 

You better hurry and look. That dead possum stuck between the tie rod and drag link will start stinking pretty soon.

 

HAHAHA LOL!!!!

That was a Good one.....