Steering Coupler/Rag Joint Replacement
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
Steering Coupler/Rag Joint Replacement
Searched the Forum with no luck....hope someone can help.
Just got the truck back from the shop after installing a 6" Pro Comp lift and they had to replace the steering box as well. I was 50/50 on replacing the steering box myself anyway so it's all good. All new ball joints, tie rods, drag link, and pitman arm. Fresh alignment and the whole front end is nice, tight, and new. I'm really happy.
I do still have some play in the steering wheel and suspect that it's the steering coupler. Since I've replaced literally everything steering related with the exception of the steering coupler, I'd be dumb not to spend the cheap amount that the coupler costs to replace it and hope it fixes/helps the steering play.
Looking for pictures, tutorial, part number for the steering coupler for my 2004 Excursion so I can hopefully eliminate this slop in the steering wheel! Since it's not exactly easy to get to, I was hoping to see some pictures so I can tackle it soon with little down time.
Thanks for any help guys!
-Tom
Just got the truck back from the shop after installing a 6" Pro Comp lift and they had to replace the steering box as well. I was 50/50 on replacing the steering box myself anyway so it's all good. All new ball joints, tie rods, drag link, and pitman arm. Fresh alignment and the whole front end is nice, tight, and new. I'm really happy.
I do still have some play in the steering wheel and suspect that it's the steering coupler. Since I've replaced literally everything steering related with the exception of the steering coupler, I'd be dumb not to spend the cheap amount that the coupler costs to replace it and hope it fixes/helps the steering play.
Looking for pictures, tutorial, part number for the steering coupler for my 2004 Excursion so I can hopefully eliminate this slop in the steering wheel! Since it's not exactly easy to get to, I was hoping to see some pictures so I can tackle it soon with little down time.
Thanks for any help guys!
-Tom
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Take your pick
Ford
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...wtdjgtZGllc2Vs
Dorman
Borgeson
https://www.borgeson.com/99-07-Ford-...F250-F350.html
Ford
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...wtdjgtZGllc2Vs
Dorman
Borgeson
https://www.borgeson.com/99-07-Ford-...F250-F350.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
One end is welded to the shaft and the Rag is riveted.
if can can fabricate just cut it off and weld a new one on.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/...4-15-574-31188
if can can fabricate just cut it off and weld a new one on.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/...4-15-574-31188
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
One end is welded to the shaft and the Rag is riveted. if can can fabricate just cut it off and weld a new one on.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/...4-15-574-31188
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/...4-15-574-31188
I would say it is definitely a wear and tear item that should be checked/replaced any time there is play in the steering wheel. I replace the one on my 74 E300 because of excessive play and it helped out a lot.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
With all that being said, I had some time after work and before some evening plans to dig my hands through the fender well and grab the steering shaft and inspect the rubber coupler.
The rubber coupler looks pretty good and not rotted out or cracked at all. I grabbed the steering shaft, with the truck off and in park, and I could hear and visually see the steering gear box spline moving a significant amount. No doubt, the play is in the brand new steering gear box. It's a NAPA brand stock replacement that I'm fine with, but is there an "out of the box" preload adjustment that the shop may have overlooked when installing?
Either way, I have a call into the shop already and hopefully they can guide me to adjusting it or they do it themselves.....OR, they have to replace the defective steering gear box and I'll probably make a deal with them to just install a Red Head or Blue Top gear box and I'll pay the difference.
This is giving me the idea to walk the local junkyard and pull a spare steering shaft and cobble up a solid U-joint setup on the cheap instead of the $300+ Borgeson to test if it's as good/bad as some people are saying.
The rubber coupler looks pretty good and not rotted out or cracked at all. I grabbed the steering shaft, with the truck off and in park, and I could hear and visually see the steering gear box spline moving a significant amount. No doubt, the play is in the brand new steering gear box. It's a NAPA brand stock replacement that I'm fine with, but is there an "out of the box" preload adjustment that the shop may have overlooked when installing?
Either way, I have a call into the shop already and hopefully they can guide me to adjusting it or they do it themselves.....OR, they have to replace the defective steering gear box and I'll probably make a deal with them to just install a Red Head or Blue Top gear box and I'll pay the difference.
This is giving me the idea to walk the local junkyard and pull a spare steering shaft and cobble up a solid U-joint setup on the cheap instead of the $300+ Borgeson to test if it's as good/bad as some people are saying.
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With all that being said, I had some time after work and before some evening plans to dig my hands through the fender well and grab the steering shaft and inspect the rubber coupler.
The rubber coupler looks pretty good and not rotted out or cracked at all. I grabbed the steering shaft, with the truck off and in park, and I could hear and visually see the steering gear box spline moving a significant amount. No doubt, the play is in the brand new steering gear box. It's a NAPA brand stock replacement that I'm fine with, but is there an "out of the box" preload adjustment that the shop may have overlooked when installing?
Either way, I have a call into the shop already and hopefully they can guide me to adjusting it or they do it themselves.....OR, they have to replace the defective steering gear box and I'll probably make a deal with them to just install a Red Head or Blue Top gear box and I'll pay the difference.
This is giving me the idea to walk the local junkyard and pull a spare steering shaft and cobble up a solid U-joint setup on the cheap instead of the $300+ Borgeson to test if it's as good/bad as some people are saying.
The rubber coupler looks pretty good and not rotted out or cracked at all. I grabbed the steering shaft, with the truck off and in park, and I could hear and visually see the steering gear box spline moving a significant amount. No doubt, the play is in the brand new steering gear box. It's a NAPA brand stock replacement that I'm fine with, but is there an "out of the box" preload adjustment that the shop may have overlooked when installing?
Either way, I have a call into the shop already and hopefully they can guide me to adjusting it or they do it themselves.....OR, they have to replace the defective steering gear box and I'll probably make a deal with them to just install a Red Head or Blue Top gear box and I'll pay the difference.
This is giving me the idea to walk the local junkyard and pull a spare steering shaft and cobble up a solid U-joint setup on the cheap instead of the $300+ Borgeson to test if it's as good/bad as some people are saying.
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.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Before you go messing with the preload adjuster be aware the the steering input shaft is connected to a torsion spring inside the valve portion of the steering box, this torsion spring winding and unwinding puts about 1” of “slop” at the steering wheel. The steering gear is designed this way on purpose.
Check your intermediate shaft slip joint, this is an area that typically wears quicker that the rag joint.
Check your intermediate shaft slip joint, this is an area that typically wears quicker that the rag joint.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 640
Likes: 282
From: Texas
I'm thinking it's the E series vans that use a U-joint instead of a rag joint. I only briefly looked into it.
Those appear to be pinned or cross-bolted on the shaft but never dug any further to see about adapting it as a rag joint replacement.
They are still pretty pricey but might be an option between Borgeson and rag joint.
Those appear to be pinned or cross-bolted on the shaft but never dug any further to see about adapting it as a rag joint replacement.
They are still pretty pricey but might be an option between Borgeson and rag joint.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
Before you go messing with the preload adjuster be aware the the steering input shaft is connected to a torsion spring inside the valve portion of the steering box, this torsion spring winding and unwinding puts about 1” of “slop” at the steering wheel. The steering gear is designed this way on purpose.
Check your intermediate shaft slip joint, this is an area that typically wears quicker that the rag joint.
Check your intermediate shaft slip joint, this is an area that typically wears quicker that the rag joint.
I’ll try and get a video of the steering shaft play and hopefully someone can advise on what I should do.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
the correct procedure is in the Factory service manual. It’s a process
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
Don’t know if this will work, but here’s a short clip of the play. Parked engine off. Literally using 2 fingers to move it effortlessly.
It’s really unenjoyable to drive at the moment. Feels even worse than with the old steering gear box which I suspected was wearing out because of the slop.
It’s really unenjoyable to drive at the moment. Feels even worse than with the old steering gear box which I suspected was wearing out because of the slop.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 385
Likes: 19
Repeat. Engine off is not how to check for play in the box. Go to redhead steering gears troubleshooting guide. They have it spelled out well how to test.
you may have ball joints that are too tight. If had a regular joe mechanic install mine they would have been too tight and binding. I had to play with the position of the upper ball joint to keep it from binding when torqued.
you may have ball joints that are too tight. If had a regular joe mechanic install mine they would have been too tight and binding. I had to play with the position of the upper ball joint to keep it from binding when torqued.