steering wheel catching
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
steering wheel catching
I have a 1991 f-150 and recently I have noticed a little in and out slop in the steering wheel (if I push and pull on it). and if I push hard on it and turn the wheel it catches and clicks...I thought it might just be loose so I took the horn of and tightened the steering wheel but that didn't take care of it. If I am driving normal it does not do it, but if I push on the wheel, occasionally it will catch...scary when it happened on the highway. It does have tilt but it has never worked, the lever isn't even there. Is there a bearing in the steering column that has failed or something? anyone have any ideas??
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Welcome to FTE Chris
What needs to be done is a steering linkage and front end inspection. Wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints etc, anything to do with steering and suspension. An assistant can run the wheel hard back and forth while someone checks for excessive slop in bearings and such. Steering gear boxes are a usual culprit in this kind of problem. Thing is when one area is showing excessive wear or play, everything else related is probably wallered out too. Alternatively can take it to a good shop and have them get it on a lift for inspection, they will know what to look for.
What needs to be done is a steering linkage and front end inspection. Wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints etc, anything to do with steering and suspension. An assistant can run the wheel hard back and forth while someone checks for excessive slop in bearings and such. Steering gear boxes are a usual culprit in this kind of problem. Thing is when one area is showing excessive wear or play, everything else related is probably wallered out too. Alternatively can take it to a good shop and have them get it on a lift for inspection, they will know what to look for.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,565
Likes: 5,601
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
no i do not replace them. with the availability of so many pre 91 trucks around me i just replace the whole column instead of wasting the time to rebuild the column in the truck.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,565
Likes: 5,601
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
Likes: 5
From: Spring Texas
I just did one and you want to get all of your parts ready before you start. You will need an cheap steering wheel puller. They have them at HF. You will need a new upper bearing, they sale the bearing and the sleeve and a new clip at LMC. However, what you need to do first is see if your clip weakened and allowed the spring to come out one notch. You have 2 notches on your steering column, the 2nd one is where the clip is supposed to be. It sounds like your clip slipped out a notch if you can pull the steering wheel toward you. The whole job takes about 1 hour to do and is very easy. Pull your steering wheel and look at the spring. If it did slip a notch order a new clip and tell me what you found and I will tell you the fastest way to fix it.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 51
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Awesome, thank you! And I'm assuming the clip you are talking about is #8? I went out to do this the other night, and I had another issue arise on my truck. It's a long running "starting issue" and I have another thread for that...so I'm back to working on that before fixing the steering...hopefully i'll be back on the steering within a couple weeks when the ECM is back in...and maybe it'll be a little warmer outside!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
Likes: 5
From: Spring Texas
Then more than likely the clip is in place. You need the upper bearing, #8 and #9. One is the sleeve and one is the bearing. Make sure you use grease when putting it back in and I will tell you hot to unassembled and reassemble. Its about a 3 hour job from start to finish.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Help with 93 f150
I know this is an old thread but sounds like my problem. I've had the clicking and steering wheel catching for a bit now. Seems to be getting to the point now where wheel is hard to move at all in either direction.
Two other things- my left blinker doesn't turn off and now the horn blows occasionally when I turn the wheel.
Is there a kit with all the bushings and necessary parts? And a guide to replace somewhere? I've also seen some refurbished steering columns online for around 400. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks!!!!!
Jerry
Two other things- my left blinker doesn't turn off and now the horn blows occasionally when I turn the wheel.
Is there a kit with all the bushings and necessary parts? And a guide to replace somewhere? I've also seen some refurbished steering columns online for around 400. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks!!!!!
Jerry