95 F150 4x4 5.0 regular cab long bed

Long story - sorry. When we bought the pickup the steering wheel was 1/4 turn off. Got it aligned, they adjusted the tierod ends massively to get the wheel aligned and steering wheel straight up and down. Drove it like that just find for a few years. It turned much tighter to the passenger side than turning to the drivers side.

We just installed a lift kit (2.5 inch Rough Country) and installed a new steering gear box to eliminate the excess steering wheel travel. The first oddity was (with steering wheel straight up, wheels straight forward) that the bolt to loosen the shaft from the steering box was not facing up, it was pointed down. I had to rotate the steering wheel 180 to get at the bolt, then rotate it back to take it off and have everything straight. We replaced the steering box, installed the pitman arm, I thought everything was lining up, but when I was done, the steering wheel is upside down. I took it to the alignment shop, and they got it all aligned but have no idea how to get the steering wheel right side up. The Tie rods are even on both sides, and there is not enough adjustment to get the wheel right.

Here's what I know:
- Steering wheel is splined and only goes on one way - I can't just pull the steering wheel and flip it over
- Shaft to steering box has a flat side, so again, I can't pull it off the gear box and turn it 180.
- I believe I am in the center of the steering box, rotating it all the way either way and counting the turns.
- Tie Rod ends - might be able to get it close by adjusting them but I'm not sure about that and I don't love the idea of adjusting them as far as they would go.
- I believe the rag joint is riveted, so I can't take the rag joint apart and turn it over.

What I don't know:
- Pitman arm - can you line up the pitman arm 1/2 turn off? It is splined with 3 wider splines so I think that if I were to try to turn it around I would be off by 1/3? Will it even go on another way?
- Is there somewhere under the dash that I can take the column/shaft apart and turn it 180 degrees?

What else am I not thinking about? I know there is a clock spring to be careful about for the horn, airbag, etc.

 

On my 1994 f350, the steering shaft has a double-d slip joint. This shaft can be pulled apart, rotated 180°, and re assembled. The slip joint is under the dash, by the pedals.

 

Thanks, Prototypemech found that u-joint under the dash yesterday. Took it apart (that was easy) but both sides, the top and the bottom are grooved where the retainer bolt goes through, so you can't turn it 180 degrees.

So, long story short, I ended up adjusting the Tie Rods. I turned the key on so the steering wheel was not locked, then with the wheels straight, I turned the drivers side tie rod one way and the passengers side the opposite way - expanding one and shortening the other - one turn at a time on each and then checking the steering wheel. I was surprised at how little it took to get the steering wheel straight. It took about 7 turns, but it was not nearly as much movement on the tie rods as I expected. So, for anyone else out there who has this issue, there is absolutely no where in the entire steering linkage, Steering wheel, column, shaft, rag joint, steering box, pitman arm, that you can misalign it. The only adjustment is in the tie rod ends.

Thanks!

 

I think you confused 'slip-joint' with 'u-joint'. It's a rod inside of a tube that can be pulled apart and re oriented. I think there's a rubber boot over it to keep dust out of it.

 

Is your steering box centered now?

Or do you have 2 turns to lock on one side and 4 on the other?

 

@Prototypemech - Yep, I sure did. I didn't think about the slip joint being able to come apart and flip over. Well it's centered now. That might have been easier.

@85e150 It's about 2 3/4 turn each way, so yes the steering box is centered.

 

A good outcome..... Congrats!