Loose steering
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
When I first got my truck it had two big problems.
It would randomly hunt back and forth in the lane at freeway speeds.
On top of that, it would lean right and left whenever I tried to correct.
I did a lot to mine: bushings, new tires, pumpes up tire pressure, sway bar, etc.
Everything helped a little.
The SWAY BAR was the best addition of all -- it made the handling very flat and level, especially through corners.
HOWEVER, it turned out that the frame was cracked right by the steering box.
Once that was welded, the random lane searching was all fixed.
After that was all fixed, I loved to drive it, and I drove it very agressively. Unfortunately to the point of blowing a head gasket. But now the motor is all better, too.
It would randomly hunt back and forth in the lane at freeway speeds.
On top of that, it would lean right and left whenever I tried to correct.
I did a lot to mine: bushings, new tires, pumpes up tire pressure, sway bar, etc.
Everything helped a little.
The SWAY BAR was the best addition of all -- it made the handling very flat and level, especially through corners.
HOWEVER, it turned out that the frame was cracked right by the steering box.
Once that was welded, the random lane searching was all fixed.
After that was all fixed, I loved to drive it, and I drove it very agressively. Unfortunately to the point of blowing a head gasket. But now the motor is all better, too.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
The problem with my steering turned out to be the snout that comes out of the steering box has one clamp and bolt holding it together, at first I thought my steering wheel was stripped out but after tighting the bolt I have had no more problems, oh except my big bias ply tires dont help handeling too much. 
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
X-1 which ajustment are you refering to.....
Are you refering to the small screw in ajustment on the top of the gear box?
The one with the lock nut on it. And by ajusting it in, how far after jacking up the front end?
The one with the lock nut on it. And by ajusting it in, how far after jacking up the front end?
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 1
From: manson
Hey guys...my 1969 f100 drives straight as an arrow...steering feels very tight...doesn't wander or pull at all BUT the outside of both front tires is wearing....more like grinding off. Not sure of the size of the tires, but they are certainly wider than stock...is this the issue? what could remedy this?
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 526
Likes: 80
Yeah, sounds like you have nice front running gear.
I had to adjust the toe-in when I replaced the drag link. It was easy - As I recall the front wheels toe-in 1/8 in.
(1/8 inch narrower on the front outter edges of the wheels than at the back - measuring at the outter edges of the wheels, half way up). (per Chilton).
It worked for me.
I had to adjust the toe-in when I replaced the drag link. It was easy - As I recall the front wheels toe-in 1/8 in.
(1/8 inch narrower on the front outter edges of the wheels than at the back - measuring at the outter edges of the wheels, half way up). (per Chilton).
It worked for me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 0
From: nevada
loose manual steer
My '72 4wheel is manual. Have complete pwr kit on order. If your truck has 1K miles or more on it, most everything is worn. Just replaced drag link, and tie rod ends, made a big difference. Power steer gear box will help isolate road feel (bumps, shakes, etc) from steering wheel. Can't wait to get this done! (15 yrs of manual steering).
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: WEST TENN.
The adjustment is that little screw with the nut as a lock down. I wouldn't adjust more than 1 to 2 turns at a time. You can check by rotating the steering wheel just enough to not see the wheel move, I adjusted mine in 2 turns, and will go back to do it one more time. The main thing is that it tightens up the worm gear, so just a little at a time, too much will bind it up. When you get to a point where the wheel moves at time with the wheel, you got it.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I have a 1976 F 250 hiboy and the steering was horrible - Power Assisted Steering - I bought the kit off of ebay and the difference is night and day. Before installing the kit I had replaced the steering column - new aftermarket- intermediate steering shaft - new aftermarket - and the rubber bushings at the power cylinder - it was still sloppy. Drives like a dream now no effort steering! The kit took about 2 1/2 hrs to install and adjust. There was minor cutting to the frame no welding. If you are tired of your manual or leaky power assist steering I would buy this kit!
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Illinios
Originally Posted by debestuss
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.
I work on 18 wheelers which use the same style king pins as our fords, if you jack up the front of your truck try and move the top of the tire in and out like camber pos or neg. if you don't hanve any play then don't mess with the king pins if you do, i would take it to a professional shop unless you have bushing drivers and a press and a cyl hone, the after market bushings that are sold require your i beams to be honed a bit out so the fit properly.
I thought mine were bad but i checked them and they are ok, whew what a relief!!!!! if you do you are looking at aleast $200 just to get it looked at and started on!
letin ya know.
steve
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Illinios
tire wear
Originally Posted by michaelbrainardatwor
Hey guys...my 1969 f100 drives straight as an arrow...steering feels very tight...doesn't wander or pull at all BUT the outside of both front tires is wearing....more like grinding off. Not sure of the size of the tires, but they are certainly wider than stock...is this the issue? what could remedy this?
had the same problem with my truck, do u still have the stock motor and tranny in your trcuk, if not you may have a weight diffarnce, My truck had a 390 in it and someone put a 351c in and about 200 lbs of diff made the tires stick out the top. I put a set of 6 cly springs on the front and it brought them back in close enough to help tire wear. i couldn't get over 3000 miles on my tires with out replacing them. let me know
steve