Steering
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Steering
My steering pulls me to the left and the right and will sometimes go loose. It happens randomly.(used to happen on sharp turns but not anymore) Does anybody know what it is?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 990
Likes: 109
From: Dallas, OR
From your description, it sounds like the normal "wandering" a 40 year old truck will do with worn steering components. If you are talking about an active jerk type feedback through the steering wheel, then it is an entirely different animal.
Get someone to help you and have them turn the steering wheel back and forth. Check the entire steering system looking for sloppy parts that don't turn right away when the connected part does. Most likely in the steering gear and/ or tie rods, but really could be anywhere in the steering system. Also have the alignment checked.
Also consider it might be the roads. I once spent a lot of time chasing down an odd steering/ suspension vibration that only happened when it was cold. Turns out 5 warranty service visits later, I figure out the issue was that I take a different route home than I do to work. It was not a cold issue, but a paving issue. Oops. Don't tell the Ford dealer...
Get someone to help you and have them turn the steering wheel back and forth. Check the entire steering system looking for sloppy parts that don't turn right away when the connected part does. Most likely in the steering gear and/ or tie rods, but really could be anywhere in the steering system. Also have the alignment checked.
Also consider it might be the roads. I once spent a lot of time chasing down an odd steering/ suspension vibration that only happened when it was cold. Turns out 5 warranty service visits later, I figure out the issue was that I take a different route home than I do to work. It was not a cold issue, but a paving issue. Oops. Don't tell the Ford dealer...
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,096
Likes: 5,756
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Steering box sounds shot to me, time for a red head. Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA
Yes insp all the steering components for being worn out.
Steering shaft (each end), F150 rag joint, F250 u joint, steering box out put shaft where the pitman arm connects. Tie rod ends, wheel bearings, ball joints, F150 radius arm bushings, 4x4 F150 track bar, 4x4 F250 adjustable steering link, king pins...stuff like that.
Yes insp all the steering components for being worn out.
Steering shaft (each end), F150 rag joint, F250 u joint, steering box out put shaft where the pitman arm connects. Tie rod ends, wheel bearings, ball joints, F150 radius arm bushings, 4x4 F150 track bar, 4x4 F250 adjustable steering link, king pins...stuff like that.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,096
Likes: 5,756
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
And a F150... so insp radius arm bushings, track bar bushings, rag joint. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, steering stabilizer...a little wear and tear on each will added up will make for lots of play.
But it sounds like an internally worn out steering box with what it is doing.
But it sounds like an internally worn out steering box with what it is doing.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: O-O-O-Oreilly's
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Have you adjusted the lock nut and screw on the box itself? Over adjusting it can cause those systems.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock, CO
My '74 F350 used to wander with a mind of its own but I ordered a new steering box from red head and installed a new rag joint and it was like driving a new Ford LTD afterwards...night and day difference.