Steering gearbox adjustment?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 161
From: West by God Virginyuh
Right, but what I meant is that for the 99-04 boxes from the description they mainly just replace the seals, they don't replace gears unless they are totally messed up. Which I'm guessing is why my reman Cardone steering box for my Excursion had play in it from day one. It was better then the one I replaced, but still has an inch of side to side wheel play whether straight ahead or turned. Everything else was checked as good, and then replaced anyway about 15k miles later when I had the whole front end apart to replace front axles. Still has same 1" of steering wheel play. Maybe the NAPA unit would work, I've heard decent things about their parts...
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
I have had great success with adjusting the screw on the box. There is a Ford Service bulletin about it that tells you how to do it, I'm sure on of the tech guru's can provide a link. I purchased my truck about 2 years ago and the steering had a ton of slop in it, so I replaced everything, all linkage and tie rod ends, and even did all the ball-joints...still had slop in the wheel. I finally did adjusted the box and worked great, problem solved! steering wheel finally had no slack in it and no issues turning. Find the Ford TSB and follow the directions... saved me from buying a new box..
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
No, none of those cover the procedure, I'll keep digging to see if I can find it when I get time, but there is a TSB that specifically outlines the adjustment procedure of loosening the lock nut, screw down the adjuster until it stops, then back of 1/8 to 1/4 turn, and tighten the lock nut. Followed this and worked perfectly. I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't see an actual Ford notice on it, I just can't find it right now...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 161
From: West by God Virginyuh
No, none of those cover the procedure, I'll keep digging to see if I can find it when I get time, but there is a TSB that specifically outlines the adjustment procedure of loosening the lock nut, screw down the adjuster until it stops, then back of 1/8 to 1/4 turn, and tighten the lock nut. Followed this and worked perfectly. I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't see an actual Ford notice on it, I just can't find it right now...
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 808
Likes: 3
No, none of those cover the procedure, I'll keep digging to see if I can find it when I get time, but there is a TSB that specifically outlines the adjustment procedure of loosening the lock nut, screw down the adjuster until it stops, then back of 1/8 to 1/4 turn, and tighten the lock nut. Followed this and worked perfectly. I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't see an actual Ford notice on it, I just can't find it right now...
I've looked all over for that TSB. The only TSB I've found is on the 08-11. That was only about 538 Super Duty's.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 161
From: West by God Virginyuh
No, none of those cover the procedure, I'll keep digging to see if I can find it when I get time, but there is a TSB that specifically outlines the adjustment procedure of loosening the lock nut, screw down the adjuster until it stops, then back of 1/8 to 1/4 turn, and tighten the lock nut. Followed this and worked perfectly. I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't see an actual Ford notice on it, I just can't find it right now...
I started by jacking up the front of the truck and cranking the wheel all the way to the left. Put 3/16 allen key in to hold adjuster and broke loose locknut with 5/8 stubby wrench. Adjuster turned in 1 1/2 turns, then I backed off 1/2 turn. Started truck and turned wheel side to side, no binding. Took for a test ride, much better than before. Had slightly over an inch of play in wheel at the rim before, now about 1/4". Took about 20 min including test drive, and just accessed the box from underneath, no disassembly required. On a 2005 Excursion.
About 700 miles later and still good. Going to go in another 1/4 turn this weekend.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
I did this, but backed out half a turn. Took care of almost all the slop. Will do it again and go about another quarter turn to see if it takes care of the rest.
I started by jacking up the front of the truck and cranking the wheel all the way to the left. Put 3/16 allen key in to hold adjuster and broke loose locknut with 5/8 stubby wrench. Adjuster turned in 1 1/2 turns, then I backed off 1/2 turn. Started truck and turned wheel side to side, no binding. Took for a test ride, much better than before. Had slightly over an inch of play in wheel at the rim before, now about 1/4". Took about 20 min including test drive, and just accessed the box from underneath, no disassembly required. On a 2005 Excursion.
About 700 miles later and still good. Going to go in another 1/4 turn this weekend.
I started by jacking up the front of the truck and cranking the wheel all the way to the left. Put 3/16 allen key in to hold adjuster and broke loose locknut with 5/8 stubby wrench. Adjuster turned in 1 1/2 turns, then I backed off 1/2 turn. Started truck and turned wheel side to side, no binding. Took for a test ride, much better than before. Had slightly over an inch of play in wheel at the rim before, now about 1/4". Took about 20 min including test drive, and just accessed the box from underneath, no disassembly required. On a 2005 Excursion.
About 700 miles later and still good. Going to go in another 1/4 turn this weekend.
For anyone else considering it, it took a 5/8 and an 11/16 wrench for the double locknuts. Then the 3/16" hex socket drive for the adjuster screw. All that you need to remove is the air cleaner assembly.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Been messing with mine and having good results. Maybe it will die soon, but until then it drives a lot nicer! Also put on a stabilizer damper thing too and that also helped. The official procedure is to remove a bunch of crap but in my case just remove the air filter and carefully squeeze my arms down there. Not too bad.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 161
From: West by God Virginyuh
So, I adjusted the box again. Jacked front end up, cranked the steering hard left, screwed in adjuster until it stopped, this time backed out 1/4 turn. Now I'm going to have to relearn how to drive my truck again. Slop is totally gone, but I keep moving the wheel in anticipation like I did before. Drives like a sports car now 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 161
From: West by God Virginyuh
I replaced the original 120k mile steering box (which I did not adjust) with this Cardone unit...and noticed almost no difference. All balljoints, tie-rods, and drag links all brand new. Was originally going to get a Blue Top box but decided since so many people have posted success stories regarding the adjustment I'd give it a shot. Will see how long it lasts.