Centering steering box
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Trailering
Joined: Mar 2010
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Centering steering box
I sent my steering box out of my 55 Ford F100 to Rock Auto to have rebuilt. It was a total rebuild it was really worn out. Got it back with tags on it that said it has been centered and had a yellow mark on the pitman shaft and gear box that they said must be aligned no problem. Bolted the box in hooked up the pitman arm and rebuilt drag link. With the wheels pointed straight forward everything bolted up the pitman arm will only go on one way and was fine. So I installed the steering wheel (now the problem) the wheel turns 1 1/3 turns to the right to the stop a little over 2 turns to the left to the stop and gets a little hard the 1/4 turn to the left. Is there something I did our did they not center the box during rebuild? And Is there a fix I can do not interested in taking it back out and sending it back.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 6
From: Beaumont Texas
I would try taking the pitman arm off the gearbox . Then turn your wheel all the way one way ,then the other and find the center of the rotations . Center the wheels straight. With your steering wheel centered, slide the pitman arm on the shaft. The splines should line up real close. Install the nut and check it again.
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Trailering
Joined: Mar 2010
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Well non of that worked or changed anything centering the wheel with the pitman arm off then putting the pitman arm back on now the wheels are not straight. And there is no binding in the steering wheel with the pitman arm off. Rock Auto tech guys says it needs to be adjusted and centered by using the tie rod that makes no sense to me.
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
Im mentally going thru the steps I took when I rebuilt my Box a few years ago, and what was suggested should have worked. One question that may sound silly but I have to ask. After centering your wheels and steering wheel, when you reinstalled the pitman arm, did you disregard the markings from Rock Auto and install the pitman arm pointing straight down?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,932
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From: Beaumont Texas
When you centered the steering box (equal turns each way) were your tires facing straight? If so, did you have to turn the shaft or the tires any to get the pitman arm to slide on? When all is centered the pitman arm splines will line up with the shaft. If you can, pt up some pics.
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FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
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From: paradise, northern calif.
Another silly question B4 I have to leave, Is your truck on jack stands ,or on the ground? If on stands make sure there not interfering with the travel of your wheels or tie rods etc. Good luck, Ill check back in later. Im curious as to what it will end up being.
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Trailering
Joined: Mar 2010
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Well it was on jack stands way up to get the box out. When I centered the wheel with the Pitman arm off and centered the wheels the mark was only about 1/16 off and Rock Auto said that was ok after explaining it makes sense that the tie rod will fix it. Taking it to the alignment shop Wed. will see what happens. Thanks
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JoeJJones
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Sep 30, 2014 10:21 PM