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97 steering box issue

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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 09:08 AM
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97 steering box issue

Hi all, I just bought a 97 Expedition, 5.4, Eddie Baur. The first thing I noticed was that the steering was sloppy so I inspected it and discovered that the pitman arm has a lot of play in it. After hours of pulling with a puller, beating on it, torching it, and of course, penetrating oil application, I finally gave up and cut a slit in it and cracked it with a chisel. But then I noticed that the shaft going into the steering box has almost a quarter inch of thrust play. Is this normal? Can it be adjusted out? New or reman box needed?
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 09:29 AM
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No it is not normal and no it is not adjustable. You need to replace it.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 09:37 AM
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Thanks Alloro. That's what I figured...crap...
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 01:05 PM
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Well apparently the thrust movement is normal. Went to Oreilly's and the shaft in their rebuilt box moves in and out just as much as the one on my truck. So there's nothing wrong with the one I have.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DonsF100
Well apparently the thrust movement is normal. Went to Oreilly's and the shaft in their rebuilt box moves in and out just as much as the one on my truck. So there's nothing wrong with the one I have.
Check a new box, a rebuild is just another used box.
 
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