Play in front end
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 91
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Play in front end
I've totally rebuilt the front end and there was still play in the steering so I replaced the power steering gear from Oreilys,it got a little better but still there at unacceptable level,took advice and loosened the nut on top of gear and screwed down one complete turn-little better so went for 2 then 3 but then it was just hard to turn so I backed off to 2,now I still have slack but hard to turn and it's a nightmare-could I have gotten a bad steering gear?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Ford, in their infinite wisdom, used the cast iron of the steering box as a bearing. By now all of the boxes out there are worn, and some are badly worn. But, the normal rebuilders like Cardone, don't do anything about that bearing and just replace the other parts. So, it is very possible to get a rebuilt one that is still worn. About the only way around that is to buy one from RedHead, who bore the box out and press in a real bearing.
As for adjusting a Ford box, it doesn't work. You shouldn't do it as you can damage the box, but in my experience you can have a loose box with "feel" in the steering or a tight box with no "feel". And that's when you adjust it about 1/4 turn. Anything more than that is way too much.
As for adjusting a Ford box, it doesn't work. You shouldn't do it as you can damage the box, but in my experience you can have a loose box with "feel" in the steering or a tight box with no "feel". And that's when you adjust it about 1/4 turn. Anything more than that is way too much.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
I'll try returning the box and give it one more shot with the new one then I will contact redhead I guess thanks for the info by the way Will the box return to its original setting if I turn the screw back?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
You need to do some troubleshooting before condemning the steering box. I do agree you probably need to take that one back since you messed with it. But once the newest box is in place, get someone in the cab to just lightly wiggle the steering wheel, just the amount that is the play you do not like. While they are just lightly wiggling the box, you follow with your eye the route the steering system takes.
There can be play in the double d part of the column right before it enters the box.
There can be play in the rag joint before the box.
And there can be cracks and loose rivets in the frame where the steering box is mounted. There is a Ford tsb out on this.
There can be play in the double d part of the column right before it enters the box.
There can be play in the rag joint before the box.
And there can be cracks and loose rivets in the frame where the steering box is mounted. There is a Ford tsb out on this.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
You need to do some troubleshooting before condemning the steering box. I do agree you probably need to take that one back since you messed with it. But once the newest box is in place, get someone in the cab to just lightly wiggle the steering wheel, just the amount that is the play you do not like. While they are just lightly wiggling the box, you follow with your eye the route the steering system takes.
There can be play in the double d part of the column right before it enters the box.
There can be play in the rag joint before the box.
And there can be cracks and loose rivets in the frame where the steering box is mounted. There is a Ford tsb out on this.
There can be play in the double d part of the column right before it enters the box.
There can be play in the rag joint before the box.
And there can be cracks and loose rivets in the frame where the steering box is mounted. There is a Ford tsb out on this.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
Here's where a helper can be a serious asset. It's hard to see the rag joint's indifference's when you're in the cab. It takes a village to raise a Bullnose. 
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
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Thanks for the info I'll get my wife out there today and check it but I believe its what Gary initially said because it's not just the play in the steering wheel,about 6",the truck will actually drift badly from side to side as if the steering gear is worn,it won't hold the road and the slack in the wheel just adds to nightmare so it may be a combination.checked redhead and I believe it's 266.00 plus 100 core but I'm taking this one back and keeping fingers crossed I luck out with one that's passable
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
I had a huge amount of slop in the steering on my 89, and it was from the double d shaft where it comes out of the steering column. There is a spring inside that keeps tension on this area and it came up missing when I hired someone when I was on vacation out of state to change the steering box. They pulled the double d shaft apart and lost the spring.
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