Loose steering
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Originally posted by kwanderi
Whats all involved in changing the rag joint? I see two bolts and two pins on mine.
Do you have to drop the steering box or loosen the upper steering shaft?
Thanks,
Whats all involved in changing the rag joint? I see two bolts and two pins on mine.
Do you have to drop the steering box or loosen the upper steering shaft?
Thanks,
It's not too bad to get to the bolts on the steering gear.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Illinios
rag joints
When i swapped steering columns on my truck I swapped from the rag joint and up, i think if you just loosed the two bolts or nuts that hold the column in place in the cab it should give you enough room, you should have enough wiring harness to give you an inch or so slack to move it as well. Mine must of been changed out once before cause it has bolts in it not revits.pins.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 259
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Not exactly sure what a rag joint is...although I think I know where it is....haven't been able to check the old truck today because of the rain, but could a rag joint possibly have anything to do with difficulty in steering....this old truck is heck to turn...especially when backing out of my carport...just curious...Nomadic....
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 325
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From: WEST TENN.
Rag joint is the rubber bushing that connects the gearbox to the steering shaft, tuff turning, may just need to grease it up, mine was tuff a first, but I replaced all the steering linkage and it got better, I still need king pins though.
For those that has a truck that likes to shift when you hit bumps or potholes, it is probably the kingpins, or another loose part, with worn parts, a bump or pothole will change your front end dimensions such as caster, toe, and that will cause your wheels to want to track differently, a rag joint would more likely cause loose steering, or excessive play, causing you to have to over correct when turning. The later ford rangers, and explorers were bad about rag joints tearing, yu can look for that to see if yours is coming loose.
For those that has a truck that likes to shift when you hit bumps or potholes, it is probably the kingpins, or another loose part, with worn parts, a bump or pothole will change your front end dimensions such as caster, toe, and that will cause your wheels to want to track differently, a rag joint would more likely cause loose steering, or excessive play, causing you to have to over correct when turning. The later ford rangers, and explorers were bad about rag joints tearing, yu can look for that to see if yours is coming loose.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Is the rag joing supposed to be flat.....mine kinda wraps around if you know what I mean....at first, I thought you guys were kidding about a rag joint.....Mine has bolts as opposed to rivets as well, but I doubt if it has ever been replaced...!
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 835
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
I had my wife wiggle the steering wheel and tightened the gearbox quite a bit as compared to just tightening it up with no motion. The steering is alot tighter but I seem to have a hard spot right in the middle when driving straight. Make any sense?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: WEST TENN.
You can over tighten the adjustment, and wear out the worm gear. Correct method is to jack up both front wheels to take the load off the box, then with wheels straight you can adjust it in, if you adjusted with wheels on the ground you may have put it in a bind, I would search for other problems, I found that on mine it was the centerlink joint at the pittman arm, it was replaced before I bought the truck, and while doing brakes thought I would tighten box, while watching the linkage I found play at that joint, I ended up putting two washers above the pittman arm, looks like the centerlink bolt was taller than the pittman arm. Anyway not trying to tell you all my problem, just something I found, wheel bearings loose, tierods with play, kingpins, radius arm bushings, any change in these can cause what you described.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 835
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
I jacked up the front end this morning and readjusted the gearbox. Now it's almost like having power steering. Thanks for the info X-1. All else seems to be tight as far as slop underneath so I think I am so far so good.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Would my 92 F-350 have one of these 'rag joints' too? I have replaced everything else, short of wheel bearings (which my Chilton book claims is a possible cause of loose steering). It seems to me though, when I have someone else turn the wheel back and forth as I watch, that the whole frame shift back and forth on the leaf springs. Does that make any sense?
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Illinios
Hey Guys,
Solved Some Of My Darting Problem With Changing The Shocks, Made A Huge Difference. I Also Changed The Springs On The Front End And It Corrcted Part Of My Positive Camber Problem. Just Put A Pair Of Used Tires That Have About 8/32 On Them To See How The Alignment Is Going To Be. I Noticed That I Need To Replace As Far As Steering Linkage Goes, So I Think Once All That Is Done It Will Be Alot Better Off. I Think I Have More Than Normal Play Than What There Should Be In The Maual Gear Box, But I Really Need To Get The Front End Off The Groung And Do Some Turning And Find Out.
Just Letting You All Know.
Steve
Solved Some Of My Darting Problem With Changing The Shocks, Made A Huge Difference. I Also Changed The Springs On The Front End And It Corrcted Part Of My Positive Camber Problem. Just Put A Pair Of Used Tires That Have About 8/32 On Them To See How The Alignment Is Going To Be. I Noticed That I Need To Replace As Far As Steering Linkage Goes, So I Think Once All That Is Done It Will Be Alot Better Off. I Think I Have More Than Normal Play Than What There Should Be In The Maual Gear Box, But I Really Need To Get The Front End Off The Groung And Do Some Turning And Find Out.
Just Letting You All Know.
Steve
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
From: Fort Rucker, AL
Shocks and getting the front end off the ground to work the play out of the gearbox helped my steering alot. My rag joint is shot though and will have to replace that soon. I don't know how I'm going to get the kingpins out to replace them, they won't budge.
