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I'm working on my 77 F250 highboy. It has not been driven since I bought it due to the issues I'm trying to work through. I rebuilt the carb and went to move it from one part of the yard to another, and it drove straight just fine. However, the steering wheel would not budge in either direction at all. I put the front end on jack stands to see if it would move without all the front end weight, and it still wouldn't turn at all. I think it has the power assist (it has a box at the end of the steering shaft) but I don't see a power steering pump.
The rear brakes on the driver's side were removed, and the line is open so no brake fluid pressure, but I don't think that would be related. What should I look at first? I have to get it moved by this weekend to make room for a shed being delivered, so I'm trying to avoid calling a tow truck to move it 100 feet in my yard....
make sure nothing is wedged in/around the shaft from the steering column down to the steering gear.
it's possible water got in the steering gear and rusted internally.
someone could have adjusted the steering gear improperly, making it too tight.
any tierod end, drag-link end or balljoint could be dry/rusted...
Because you need it moved by this weekend and if none of what dlburch suggested works, got a buddy with a trailer? Maybe offer up a six pack or two and get it moved that way. Cheaper than a tow truck.
This is what the power assist arrangement looks like; Does your truck have this? If so, watch the output shaft from the steering box when turning steering wheel to see if its trying to move the control valve (part with the 4 lines going into it). If no movement the problem is in the steering box or the u-joint is rusted and frozen on the steering column shaft just below firewall. If it looks like the output shaft is trying to move when the steering wheel is turned but the steering linkage won't move, try disconnecting the 2 lines on the hydraulic steering cylinder then see if it will move.
All 77 highboys had power assist steering and even if it was converted to integral power steering you should still have a power steering pump.
Thanks for your replies. So it looks like a previous owner removed the PS pump. I recorded a video - the steering shaft is turning going into the box.
With the power steering assist deleted from this truck, should the wheels be able to turn? I understand it might not be easy, but I'm turning the steering wheel as hard as I can and the front wheels are not turning, so there's no way it could be driven like this.
Unfortunately, none of my friends with trailers can help me in time. I looked into renting a tow dolly from various places, and they all have a 75-79" width limit between the outer edges of the tires. This truck is about 84" from edge to edge.
Yikes, i see the problem now....... well when you get to working on that part of the mess, you can consider installing the newer style 78' steering or rebuilding the old valve/ram system..... sucks, both options are expensive and time consuming..
Mmmmm, you should be able to get some movement out of it with the parts your missing, so something else is messed up, prolly in the gear box.... all bad news, sorry man.
Thanks to everybody for the suggestions. The wife lined up tow truck last night so now it can sit in the yard waiting to have another expensive thing fixed....
I would try unhooking from the box (and whatever else might be seized) as suggested and turn the wheels by hand. See if pumping some fresh grease in the fittings helps.
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