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I recently bought a 1991 F150 and I love it. It runs great, average rust in wheel wells and bed, but cab and most of body is solid.
It has a 302, 4x4 works great.
Now the problem, today, when my wife was driving it home, the steering made a cracking noise and it wouldn't turn to the right. So I went out to check it out, as I was backing out of the driveway, I lost all steering. The wheel just spins.
Being in Wisconsin without a heated garage, I had it towed to a mechanic. He called and said the the steering box came loose because the frame is to rusted, he said he would try to fix it, possibly with welding a piece on the frame, however he said welding on a frame is not good.
I admit, I am know frame expert. So here is were I ask for your help.
I can go look at the truck and frame, before he does anything.
Could you please let me know if you think a steering box would do this.
How can I tell how much rust on the frame is too much?
Take a photo of the steering box on the frame. Otherwise I'm just gonna say if there is nothing falling appart visually, either your knuckle will be busted, or the worn gear bit the bullet.
Take a photo of the steering box on the frame. Otherwise I'm just gonna say if there is nothing falling appart visually, either your knuckle will be busted, or the worn gear bit the bullet.
Here are some pictures I took. The frame has surface rust, but doesn't have holes. It looks like someone rigged together the steering box, maybe added a metal plate. The frame has surface rust, like I said, but I picked at it and it is solid.
Looks like someone's already tried plating over it there. Didn't do too good of a job either. And that stack of washers on the bottom bolt is just
I would cut that crap out and redo it. Reminds me of some similar "repairs" that I found after I bought my truck. The PO had welded some really thin metal over a crack in the frame... I was pissed but only because he didn't tell me about it.
