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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Steering Play

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Old Jul 18, 2015 | 07:28 PM
  #1  
gmhill33's Avatar
gmhill33
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Steering Play

Greetings,

My steering has a lot of play between 10 o'lcock and 12 o'clock. Can anyone offer a idea as to what it might be?

Thanks,
Gary

1995 Ford F150 XLT Flareside
 
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Old Jul 20, 2015 | 09:51 PM
  #2  
UNTAMND's Avatar
UNTAMND
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From: Lansdale, PA
Bad steering box
Loose steering box bolts
Bad rag joint/steering joint
Bad pitman arm
Bad center link
Bad inner tie rod
Bad outer tie rods

I'm guessing you haven't looked at it while someone moves steering wheel...
 
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Old Jul 20, 2015 | 10:43 PM
  #3  
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gmhill33
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Originally Posted by UNTAMND
Bad steering box
Loose steering box bolts
Bad rag joint/steering joint
Bad pitman arm
Bad center link
Bad inner tie rod
Bad outer tie rods

I'm guessing you haven't looked at it while someone moves steering wheel...

I did and the only thing I really heard was a cluck/knock by the rag joint.

Thanks for the reply.

Gary
 
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Old Jul 29, 2015 | 12:25 PM
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Harvard
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From: 51.6N 114.7W
A dead (do nothing) zone can be indicative of not having enough +caster. It appears the F150 has a caster spec of about +2.9 to +4.9 for LH and +3.3 to +5.3 for RH.


Setting the caster at top end of spec can improve this type of handling issue.
 
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Old Jul 30, 2015 | 04:01 PM
  #5  
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94ZR580
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From: Saskatchewan
Also check the telescoping shaft between the firewall and the steering gear. There can be a lot of play in that piece as it wears.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2015 | 07:32 AM
  #6  
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LeoJr
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From: Denton, TX
AM or PM?

AM is likely to be mechanical as others have suggested.
PM is likely alcohol induced.
 
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