83 F150 Steering Issues
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Beach, North Dakota
83 F150 Steering Issues
In my 83 F150 I can turn the steering wheel more than 3 inches in both directions before it starts turning anything at all. Just from looking at it I can tell I need a new steering column but is there anywhere else that can be causing this issue or would a new steering column solve this?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
In my 83 F150 I can turn the steering wheel more than 3 inches in both directions before it starts turning anything at all.
Just from looking at it
I can tell I need a new steering column but is there anywhere else that can be causing this issue or would a new 
steering column solve this?
Just from looking at it
I can tell I need a new steering column but is there anywhere else that can be causing this issue or would a new steering column solve this?Steering gear box is worn out, has too much play // The ball joints of the draglink, tie rods, tie rod ends are worn out. These should be tight, but when worn, you can move them your pinky finger.
The steering coupler that connects the steering shaft to the input shaft of the steering gearbox is defective
You cannot buy a complete steering column unless you buy a used column. Ford sold all the parts of the steering column separately. Many of the parts are now obsolete, may be hard to find NOS
Personally, I doubt the steering column is causing the problem. Steering gearbox, steering linkage, steering coupler are the usual suspects.
I seem to recall that there is a shop in ND that overhauls steering gearboxes. Does your truck have manual steering or power steering?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,906
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
Welcome to FTE
Steering gear box is worn out, has too much play // The ball joints of the draglink, tie rods, tie rod ends are worn out. These should be tight, but when worn, you can move them your pinky finger.
The steering coupler that connects the steering shaft to the input shaft of the steering gearbox is defective
You cannot buy a complete steering column unless you buy a used column. Ford sold all the parts of the steering column separately. Many of the parts are now obsolete, may be hard to find NOS
Personally, I doubt the steering column is causing the problem. Steering gearbox, steering linkage, steering coupler are the usual suspects.
I seem to recall that there is a shop in ND that overhauls steering gearboxes. Does your truck have manual steering or power steering?
Steering gear box is worn out, has too much play // The ball joints of the draglink, tie rods, tie rod ends are worn out. These should be tight, but when worn, you can move them your pinky finger.
The steering coupler that connects the steering shaft to the input shaft of the steering gearbox is defective
You cannot buy a complete steering column unless you buy a used column. Ford sold all the parts of the steering column separately. Many of the parts are now obsolete, may be hard to find NOS
Personally, I doubt the steering column is causing the problem. Steering gearbox, steering linkage, steering coupler are the usual suspects.
I seem to recall that there is a shop in ND that overhauls steering gearboxes. Does your truck have manual steering or power steering?
What you really need to do is get a helper. Truck dose not need to be running to do this but may help.
Pop the hood and have the helper turn the wheel left & right just a little past where it gets hard.
You watch the steering shaft where it comes out of the firewall and look to where there is play and replace the bad parts.
As said you need to check from the column all the way to the wheels as tie rod could also be bad.
While at it jack itup and check kingpins / ball joints for play too.
As for the box if you find it has play dont get one from the local parts store it may not be any better that what you got now.
Look up Blue Top or Red Head steering boxes. They are rebuilt using bearings not bushings that can wear again.
I got a Blue Top and love it.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Beach, North Dakota
Welcome to FTE
Steering gear box is worn out, has too much play // The ball joints of the draglink, tie rods, tie rod ends are worn out. These should be tight, but when worn, you can move them your pinky finger.
The steering coupler that connects the steering shaft to the input shaft of the steering gearbox is defective
You cannot buy a complete steering column unless you buy a used column. Ford sold all the parts of the steering column separately. Many of the parts are now obsolete, may be hard to find NOS
Personally, I doubt the steering column is causing the problem. Steering gearbox, steering linkage, steering coupler are the usual suspects.
I seem to recall that there is a shop in ND that overhauls steering gearboxes. Does your truck have manual steering or power steering?
Steering gear box is worn out, has too much play // The ball joints of the draglink, tie rods, tie rod ends are worn out. These should be tight, but when worn, you can move them your pinky finger.
The steering coupler that connects the steering shaft to the input shaft of the steering gearbox is defective
You cannot buy a complete steering column unless you buy a used column. Ford sold all the parts of the steering column separately. Many of the parts are now obsolete, may be hard to find NOS
Personally, I doubt the steering column is causing the problem. Steering gearbox, steering linkage, steering coupler are the usual suspects.
I seem to recall that there is a shop in ND that overhauls steering gearboxes. Does your truck have manual steering or power steering?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,906
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
As I said the truck dose not need to be running to do the checking.
Thing is the steering wheel needs to be turned side to side enough that it moves the pit man arm on the box so the tie rods just start to move so you can see if there is any play in them.
Dave ----
Thing is the steering wheel needs to be turned side to side enough that it moves the pit man arm on the box so the tie rods just start to move so you can see if there is any play in them.
Dave ----
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Blue Top Steering Gears is located in Stanton ND // Red Head Steering Gears is located in Seattle WA
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Trailering
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From: Beach, North Dakota
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,906
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
Is the nut & washer the only thing holding the wheel on?
Are you sure the wheel is not spinning on the shaft at the nut?
That wheel I believe should have an adapter and bolts (3?) that go thru the wheel into the adapter.
Also that nut is not on all the way.
It is a lock nut, top is crushed a little to hold it on the threads.
The nut is not down far enough to grab the lock part.
Maybe if the washer was removed but that may cause other issues.
Best bet is to find a factory wheel and then the horn may even work as that is what that wire is.
Dave ----
Are you sure the wheel is not spinning on the shaft at the nut?
That wheel I believe should have an adapter and bolts (3?) that go thru the wheel into the adapter.
Also that nut is not on all the way.
It is a lock nut, top is crushed a little to hold it on the threads.
The nut is not down far enough to grab the lock part.
Maybe if the washer was removed but that may cause other issues.
Best bet is to find a factory wheel and then the horn may even work as that is what that wire is.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Beach, North Dakota
Is the nut & washer the only thing holding the wheel on?
Are you sure the wheel is not spinning on the shaft at the nut?
That wheel I believe should have an adapter and bolts (3?) that go thru the wheel into the adapter.
Also that nut is not on all the way.
It is a lock nut, top is crushed a little to hold it on the threads.
The nut is not down far enough to grab the lock part.
Maybe if the washer was removed but that may cause other issues.
Best bet is to find a factory wheel and then the horn may even work as that is what that wire is.
Dave ----
Are you sure the wheel is not spinning on the shaft at the nut?
That wheel I believe should have an adapter and bolts (3?) that go thru the wheel into the adapter.
Also that nut is not on all the way.
It is a lock nut, top is crushed a little to hold it on the threads.
The nut is not down far enough to grab the lock part.
Maybe if the washer was removed but that may cause other issues.
Best bet is to find a factory wheel and then the horn may even work as that is what that wire is.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,906
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
Now it may not be loose there but I cant see how the wheel is bolted to the adapter.
If that nut was to come loose the wheel would just spin and the nut / shaft not move and that would not be good.
You should also check out the full steering system for play in parts that are worn out.
Dave ----
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