Steering Wheel Play 1992 E 150; HELP!
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Steering Wheel Play 1992 E 150; HELP!
Hi All,
I just got a 1992 E150, and I took it on a road trip during memorial day weekend. I hit some storms and realized that the play on the steering wheel while OK in normal conditions is dangerous in generally common (not too severe) wind storms. So, I want to fix it / upgrade. I realize that I have a van and the wind will whip it, but I don't want to have to keep adjusting for the play in the steering wheel (it feels like about two, maybe three inches). Anyways, here's my question.
How much play is normal?
What components the cause play? (additionally, if you have tips on how to check that component, that would be great)
What components can be upgraded and lead to the greatest benefit? (A sway bar the size of a my house?)
I'm probably going to take it it into a truck suspension shop (I live in Denver...so if you got a guy you trust, that would be great), but I want to be informed as to what is causing the steering play.
Note, I did get the steering gear box replaced by my normal mechanic when I first bought the car this month (it needed a lot of basic maintenance stuff that I didn't want to do myself, and it runs well).
Second note, my wife will be joining me on road trips and if I can feel comfortable with her driving it, under normal conditions, that would be great.
Thanks for your help.
I just got a 1992 E150, and I took it on a road trip during memorial day weekend. I hit some storms and realized that the play on the steering wheel while OK in normal conditions is dangerous in generally common (not too severe) wind storms. So, I want to fix it / upgrade. I realize that I have a van and the wind will whip it, but I don't want to have to keep adjusting for the play in the steering wheel (it feels like about two, maybe three inches). Anyways, here's my question.
How much play is normal?
What components the cause play? (additionally, if you have tips on how to check that component, that would be great)
What components can be upgraded and lead to the greatest benefit? (A sway bar the size of a my house?)
I'm probably going to take it it into a truck suspension shop (I live in Denver...so if you got a guy you trust, that would be great), but I want to be informed as to what is causing the steering play.
Note, I did get the steering gear box replaced by my normal mechanic when I first bought the car this month (it needed a lot of basic maintenance stuff that I didn't want to do myself, and it runs well).
Second note, my wife will be joining me on road trips and if I can feel comfortable with her driving it, under normal conditions, that would be great.
Thanks for your help.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
First, read this - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ering-fix.html
There are lots of things you can do to improve steering feel and response but you have to establish a good baseline. These vans wouldn't be so popular if the steering was loose from new so I think play was close to imperceptible when new. New ball joints, wheel bearings and tie rods did little to improve steering in our van at 180K miles. A good used steering box made it feel good enough to make me think that's how it felt new. Good enough that I don't feel the need for a sway bar or damper. They could improve things further but that's another story. My wife and my son who's been driving for about a year have no problem with it since the box was replaced, even in cross winds as bad as we get in the SF Bay Area.
[edit] I tried to adjust the box but I couldn't budge the set screw. I suspect the previous owner cranked the heck out of it.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
There are lots of things you can do to improve steering feel and response but you have to establish a good baseline. These vans wouldn't be so popular if the steering was loose from new so I think play was close to imperceptible when new. New ball joints, wheel bearings and tie rods did little to improve steering in our van at 180K miles. A good used steering box made it feel good enough to make me think that's how it felt new. Good enough that I don't feel the need for a sway bar or damper. They could improve things further but that's another story. My wife and my son who's been driving for about a year have no problem with it since the box was replaced, even in cross winds as bad as we get in the SF Bay Area.
[edit] I tried to adjust the box but I couldn't budge the set screw. I suspect the previous owner cranked the heck out of it.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
Assuming that your local mechanic when replacing the steering box, also checked all the ball joints, intermediate shaft U-joints, and tie rod ends, it just might need a front end alignment to "finish" the job and keep you on a straight course. 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Max Frederick
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
3
Jan 21, 2018 03:23 PM
TSmylie
Excursion - King of SUVs
8
Aug 5, 2014 08:04 AM
gusthebus
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
4
Mar 7, 2005 06:16 PM
