Steering box broke loose
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2020
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Steering box broke loose
Hi,
I have a 1994 Econoline van with a 5.0 liter engine.
Recently the steering box broke loose because the metal where it's attached to the frame had a little bit of rust. I got the rusty part replaced with a section of new metal, and the steering box was attached with new bolts in the same location where it used to be.
The problem now is, that the steering wheel is about 30 degrees off center. I am inclined to just pull the wheel and put it back centered, but was wondering what could have been the cause of this? Is it possible the pittman got bent or maybe skipped a few teeth?
regards. Willem
I have a 1994 Econoline van with a 5.0 liter engine.
Recently the steering box broke loose because the metal where it's attached to the frame had a little bit of rust. I got the rusty part replaced with a section of new metal, and the steering box was attached with new bolts in the same location where it used to be.
The problem now is, that the steering wheel is about 30 degrees off center. I am inclined to just pull the wheel and put it back centered, but was wondering what could have been the cause of this? Is it possible the pittman got bent or maybe skipped a few teeth?
regards. Willem
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 99
From: North Dakota
It’s possible something moved a tish still. But popping off the wheel and making it sit right is a option. As long as your lock to lock both ways is good. If not adjusting it on the tie rods/drag link is probably best.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,411
Likes: 2,612
From: Near Salt Lake City
94 Econoline steering wheel has a "D" section and cannot be moved to correct for clear vision
You will need to recenter the steering wheel using the tie rod sleeves
As long as you move both sleeves the same amount, the toe (alignment) will stay the same
Pretty easy to do yourself if you follow a few simple guidlines for your van
1 the left outer tie rod end had LH threads
2 the RH outer tie rod end has RH threads
3 if the steering wheel is off to the right, the wheels need to be moved to the right using the sleeves
Go 1/4 turn on both sleeves and save yourself 75 bucks
You will need to recenter the steering wheel using the tie rod sleeves
As long as you move both sleeves the same amount, the toe (alignment) will stay the same
Pretty easy to do yourself if you follow a few simple guidlines for your van
1 the left outer tie rod end had LH threads
2 the RH outer tie rod end has RH threads
3 if the steering wheel is off to the right, the wheels need to be moved to the right using the sleeves
Go 1/4 turn on both sleeves and save yourself 75 bucks
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 96
Likes: 4
Thanks! i will do just that
for my understanding and for not having to do it twice: the steering wheel points left when the car is going straight
to which direction do i need to turn the driver side tie rod sleeve, and to which direction the passenger side tie rod sleeve?
for my understanding and for not having to do it twice: the steering wheel points left when the car is going straight
to which direction do i need to turn the driver side tie rod sleeve, and to which direction the passenger side tie rod sleeve?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,411
Likes: 2,612
From: Near Salt Lake City
If the steering wheel is off to the right, the wheels have to be moved to the right to correct for clear vision
If off left, then move the wheels to the left
So, your 94 econoline left outer has ccw thresds, rh outer has clockwise threads
To fix your off left, crank rh sleeve clockwise onto rh outer tie rod end 1/2 turn
Crank left or drivers sleeve off of left outer tie rod end by turning clockwise 1/2 turn
Use 1/2 turn increments
If off left, then move the wheels to the left
So, your 94 econoline left outer has ccw thresds, rh outer has clockwise threads
To fix your off left, crank rh sleeve clockwise onto rh outer tie rod end 1/2 turn
Crank left or drivers sleeve off of left outer tie rod end by turning clockwise 1/2 turn
Use 1/2 turn increments
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