normal steering box play?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 808
Likes: 290
From: KY
normal steering box play?
This will be on our Late 99 F50 4x4. As an example if I use one of the leather steering wheel cover seams lined up at 12:00, shut it off I can easily move the st wheel to the 11:00 position and back as play with 0 movement in the pitman arm. This about normal?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 808
Likes: 290
From: KY
Thats what I figured and really need to have a look underside wheel the wife turns the st wheel. I added the once missing damper and rotated the tires and now its far worst trying to keep it in your lane if you have any pavement deformities. I used to have a old power wagon with bias plys on it, this 99 with new pro comp AT's 
is a close second on a bad two lane road.
is a close second on a bad two lane road.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 893
Likes: 255
From: San Diego, CA
A few questions/suggestions... also, check the play with the engine running. That is a diagnostic test that was provided to me by Redhead.
1) Do you have a lift or oversized tires? If so, check track bar centered the axle and you're running enough toe in and caster. Check tire pressure. If you have oversized tires, you can reduce pressure.
2) Have you checked alignment?
3) Ensure your steering wheel is centered (easy to do at home by adjusting drag link). If it is not centered, the hydraulic assist can be kicked on by the steering box and "push" more to the offset side.
4) Ball joints, tie rod ends, etc aren't worn. I have 230k on my originals and are fine, but seems like a common problem.
5) Steering box play is extremely common. Are you on an original?
1) Do you have a lift or oversized tires? If so, check track bar centered the axle and you're running enough toe in and caster. Check tire pressure. If you have oversized tires, you can reduce pressure.
2) Have you checked alignment?
3) Ensure your steering wheel is centered (easy to do at home by adjusting drag link). If it is not centered, the hydraulic assist can be kicked on by the steering box and "push" more to the offset side.
4) Ball joints, tie rod ends, etc aren't worn. I have 230k on my originals and are fine, but seems like a common problem.
5) Steering box play is extremely common. Are you on an original?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 808
Likes: 290
From: KY
Truck is stock, 285/75/16 PC at's on stock alloy wheels. Currently 148K miles and really no better or worst when I got it at 125K. Ive played with pressures and found 45 to 50 rides good and seems to help. I really need a second person to work the wheel while I look underside. Everything seemed fine when i did unit bearings, T rods, BJ's, but you know how that goes. I did remove the new st stabilizer as it seemed to make wander worst. Low and behold it was already worthless like a 1/2 empty shock with dampening about 50% of the stroke. Sheesh....and no, I never have checked the toe. Guess I need to bite the bullet and have a shop put it on the rack. Everything is far from here unfortunately. Gonna have to make a appt or do a redneck alignment in the barn.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 519
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
You don't have to take it in for alignment, you can do it yourself with a tape measure. If your camber is good, then you just need to check toe. 1/16"-1/8" is good. I like to aim for around 1/8"
Play in these old trucks is normal. If you are having wandering issues, then it could be tires, your low air pressure, worn parts, sticking ball joints, front axle ujoints.
Just jack the front end up and have your wife or kids slowly turn the wheel from side to side to look for worn out parts. Also pay attention to the track bar
It should seem like more play with the truck not running down the road. From 11-12, that sounds normal.
Sounds like you have something else going on if you have a wandering issue
Play in these old trucks is normal. If you are having wandering issues, then it could be tires, your low air pressure, worn parts, sticking ball joints, front axle ujoints.
Just jack the front end up and have your wife or kids slowly turn the wheel from side to side to look for worn out parts. Also pay attention to the track bar
It should seem like more play with the truck not running down the road. From 11-12, that sounds normal.
Sounds like you have something else going on if you have a wandering issue
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 893
Likes: 255
From: San Diego, CA
You can buy 2 pieces of aluminum angle stock from Home Depot, I think mine were 3ft. Put front end on jack stands with wheel straight, take off tires and bolt the aluminum stock on (drill 2 holes so it slides on to your lugs and lays straight against the rotor). Then mark 2 lines FWD/AFT of the hub center bore to replicate a 33" tire. You can then measure the toe in really easily. Only issue is that the toe will change when the weight is on the vehicle. But -- as long as you're close, you're fine and will save some $$. Easy enough to change yourself as well.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: KY
That does sound like a best case redneck toe check. The line around the tire and the tape measure id to subject to error when were talking 1/8".
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,005
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From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
I've never used a special jig but it would be more precise.
I measure off treads and I also measure at axle line from inner sidewall. Never an issue.
I have never in my life paid for an alignment....okay once before I realized there's no point on a vehicle like ours
That's 35 yrs worth of driving
I measure off treads and I also measure at axle line from inner sidewall. Never an issue.
I have never in my life paid for an alignment....okay once before I realized there's no point on a vehicle like ours
That's 35 yrs worth of driving
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