scary Steering slack
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,818
Likes: 375
I can’t answer to how many have power steering but have you done any self diagnosis? Such as putting the front end on jack stands so its off the floor and check to see if you can identify any loose or sloppy components?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 315
Likes: 55
Thanks guys and I do agree with fixing whats wrong before thinking more on PS.
Did not jack it up but I have my wife turned the wheel looking for loose stuff to move. Everything seemed tight except the gear that moves Pittman arm is moving before it moves the arm try to tighten that up tonight
Did not jack it up but I have my wife turned the wheel looking for loose stuff to move. Everything seemed tight except the gear that moves Pittman arm is moving before it moves the arm try to tighten that up tonight
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,818
Likes: 375
Thanks guys and I do agree with fixing whats wrong before thinking more on PS.
Did not jack it up but I have my wife turned the wheel looking for loose stuff to move. Everything seemed tight except the gear that moves Pittman arm is moving before it moves the arm try to tighten that up tonight
Did not jack it up but I have my wife turned the wheel looking for loose stuff to move. Everything seemed tight except the gear that moves Pittman arm is moving before it moves the arm try to tighten that up tonight
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,960
Likes: 4,129
From: Angier, NC
It sounds like he knows the box has play and he should be able to turn the wheel / box to check tie rods when on the ground.
It only needs to be in the air to check ball joints / kingpins as weight can not be on them.
Dave ----
It only needs to be in the air to check ball joints / kingpins as weight can not be on them.
Dave ----
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 315
Likes: 55
Where the pitman arm bolts to the gear box is loose with play. It will not tighten up at all. Is the 2 and 4 wheel drive arm the same or is it a different part number ?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,960
Likes: 4,129
From: Angier, NC
Is the input shaft to the box a long shaft as part of the column?
Either way you may want to reach out to Red Head or Blue Top as they rebuild the later boxes but it is nothing like you get from the parts stores.
The shafts use bushings set in to the case iron box and when they wear it also wears the cast iron box.
Most just clean and install new bushings but dont do anything with the cast iron.
RH & BT machine the cast box and install bearings not bushings.
I dont know how far back they go on rebuilding boxes but love my BT in my 81 F100
Dave ----
Either way you may want to reach out to Red Head or Blue Top as they rebuild the later boxes but it is nothing like you get from the parts stores.
The shafts use bushings set in to the case iron box and when they wear it also wears the cast iron box.
Most just clean and install new bushings but dont do anything with the cast iron.
RH & BT machine the cast box and install bearings not bushings.
I dont know how far back they go on rebuilding boxes but love my BT in my 81 F100
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 315
Likes: 55
Is the input shaft to the box a long shaft as part of the column?
Either way you may want to reach out to Red Head or Blue Top as they rebuild the later boxes but it is nothing like you get from the parts stores.
The shafts use bushings set in to the case iron box and when they wear it also wears the cast iron box.
Most just clean and install new bushings but dont do anything with the cast iron.
RH & BT machine the cast box and install bearings not bushings.
I dont know how far back they go on rebuilding boxes but love my BT in my 81 F100
Dave ----
Either way you may want to reach out to Red Head or Blue Top as they rebuild the later boxes but it is nothing like you get from the parts stores.
The shafts use bushings set in to the case iron box and when they wear it also wears the cast iron box.
Most just clean and install new bushings but dont do anything with the cast iron.
RH & BT machine the cast box and install bearings not bushings.
I dont know how far back they go on rebuilding boxes but love my BT in my 81 F100
Dave ----
website ?
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 6
From: Eastern Washington
https://catalog.larescorp.com/part/8520/
4x4 had a larger box than 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton 2WD.
Lares used to rebuild them you would have to send them your core. I don’t know if they still do this you could contact them.
4x4 had a larger box than 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton 2WD.
Lares used to rebuild them you would have to send them your core. I don’t know if they still do this you could contact them.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 315
Likes: 55
https://catalog.larescorp.com/part/8520/
4x4 had a larger box than 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton 2WD.
Lares used to rebuild them you would have to send them your core. I don’t know if they still do this you could contact them.
4x4 had a larger box than 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton 2WD.
Lares used to rebuild them you would have to send them your core. I don’t know if they still do this you could contact them.
I also found
Stock Rebuilt Manual Steering Box | Steering Boxes | Steering (classicautoparts.com)
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 6
From: Eastern Washington
Most boxes rebuilt are for 1/2 -3/4 ton 2WD models but can work but are smaller. You could find a 1 ton-2 ton but would have to drill different holes. Pitman arm is the same for 1/2 ton 3/4 ton and 4x4. Most wear I have seen has been on the shaft and worm. The last 4x4 box I did the worm was bad but the sector shaft was in great shape. I replaced the bushings, roller bearings and races and shaft and worm, sector shaft seal. The shaft and worm can still be found but the sector shaft is an odd size. Last truck I worked on I was convinced it was the box until I jacked it up to replace the brakes and found two worn tie rods. The steering box was fine. Let us know how it is going.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 6
From: Eastern Washington
Play in the shaft and worm to sector shaft that can’t be adjusted out (nut on steering box cover) and when you open the cover pits on the worm and sector shaft. I replace the two bushings and bearings and races when it is apart. I will try and send a pic of a 4x4 box.