Leaky Steering Box Adjustment Screw
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Leaky Steering Box Adjustment Screw
My son and I just bought a 1977 F150 in decent shape. Immediately blew a power steering hose, which we replaced. We replaced the power steering fluid with, what else, power steering fluid, although I hear I should use transmission fluid.
While I was at it, I made an adjustment in the steering box adjustment screw to try and tighten up the steering (about 2" of play in the wheel). Afterwards, the power steering fluid leaks steadily from the adjustment screw port. I can't get it any tighter.
Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it the fluid I am using? Or do I just need to get the screw tighter - may have to call in a body builder to do that? Or am I missing some kind of washer or seal at the screw?
Would appreciate any help.
While I was at it, I made an adjustment in the steering box adjustment screw to try and tighten up the steering (about 2" of play in the wheel). Afterwards, the power steering fluid leaks steadily from the adjustment screw port. I can't get it any tighter.
Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it the fluid I am using? Or do I just need to get the screw tighter - may have to call in a body builder to do that? Or am I missing some kind of washer or seal at the screw?
Would appreciate any help.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
To fix a box with play and now a leaking sector I highly suggest just getting a replacement box from Blue Top steering.
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com/
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com/
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Welcome to FTE, make sure you join your FTE state chapter. VA chapter link here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum147/
Careful trying to adjust that screw, I have heard is can cause lock up issues on what sounds like a common worn out box. AVOID a parts house reman. JUNK. Blue Top, or Red Head are worth the $.
Here is some saved info on that adjustment screw. Nothing mentioned about a copper crush washer or o ring."Steering adjustment #1 For the steering - Start by adjusting the slack adjuster - it will be a locknut over what appears to be a bolt with a screwdriver slot. Put a screwdriver into the slot to hold it and back off the lock nut. Slowly turn the screwdriver clockwise while rotating the steering shaftback and forth until there's very little to no play. Hold adjustment bolt and tighten the locknut. With power steering this is done with the engine running. Once the slack is adjusted out of the steering box, look at the top of the steering column (still under the hood) under the master cylinder. There's a heavy fiber washer (sometimes referred to as a rag joint) (1/2 ton only) that makes a coupling in the column, usually this is worn out and the cause for excessive steering play.
Steering adj #2 All you have to do is on the steering box you will see a threaded screw with a jamb nut keeping it locked down. Put a screw driver on the screw and loosen the jamb nut, then with the jamb nut loose , tighten the screw till it stops, then back off counter clockwise for one full turn, then holding the screw, lock down the jamb nut. Take the truck for a ride and see how it feels, if it is still too sloppy, loosen the jamb nut and turn clockwise a quarter of a turn and retighten the jamb nut. If the steering is too hard or feels like its binding , hold the jamb nut and loosen the set screw a quarter of a turn from your initial setting."
Careful trying to adjust that screw, I have heard is can cause lock up issues on what sounds like a common worn out box. AVOID a parts house reman. JUNK. Blue Top, or Red Head are worth the $.
Here is some saved info on that adjustment screw. Nothing mentioned about a copper crush washer or o ring."Steering adjustment #1 For the steering - Start by adjusting the slack adjuster - it will be a locknut over what appears to be a bolt with a screwdriver slot. Put a screwdriver into the slot to hold it and back off the lock nut. Slowly turn the screwdriver clockwise while rotating the steering shaftback and forth until there's very little to no play. Hold adjustment bolt and tighten the locknut. With power steering this is done with the engine running. Once the slack is adjusted out of the steering box, look at the top of the steering column (still under the hood) under the master cylinder. There's a heavy fiber washer (sometimes referred to as a rag joint) (1/2 ton only) that makes a coupling in the column, usually this is worn out and the cause for excessive steering play.
Steering adj #2 All you have to do is on the steering box you will see a threaded screw with a jamb nut keeping it locked down. Put a screw driver on the screw and loosen the jamb nut, then with the jamb nut loose , tighten the screw till it stops, then back off counter clockwise for one full turn, then holding the screw, lock down the jamb nut. Take the truck for a ride and see how it feels, if it is still too sloppy, loosen the jamb nut and turn clockwise a quarter of a turn and retighten the jamb nut. If the steering is too hard or feels like its binding , hold the jamb nut and loosen the set screw a quarter of a turn from your initial setting."
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
P/S fluid is the same as TYPE F ATF
The "adjuster" screw only sets the pre-load of the sector shaft, over-tighten it, the box could lock up.
Backing the screw off when this occurs, may not solve the problem.
I've been telling people for years, do NOT mess with that screw!
The "adjuster" screw only sets the pre-load of the sector shaft, over-tighten it, the box could lock up.
Backing the screw off when this occurs, may not solve the problem.
I've been telling people for years, do NOT mess with that screw!
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