Steering box

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 30, 2004 | 01:57 PM

farmb0y

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,365

Likes: 0

From: IOWA

Steering box

I've got a '99 F-350 4x4 and my steering is loose already. I've located the problem to be with the steering box. For what I know about steering boxes, there isn't much to do to tighten it, but I'm not sure if there is anything on these trucks? I'm assuming the guy that had it before me tried turning the wheels a lot while sitting still which would cause a lot of undue stress on the steering box. If anybody has any ideas for a cheaper fix than buying a new/used steering box, let me know.

Mar 30, 2004 | 03:55 PM

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,246

Likes: 761

From: Houston, Texas

My steering is kind of getting loose too. Did your truck come with a steering dampener?

Mar 30, 2004 | 06:01 PM

farmb0y

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,365

Likes: 0

From: IOWA

Toreador Diesel- Yea there is a steering dampener on it, and I know it's been replaced because it's been hit and bent before by the previous owner.
I'm just getting sick of chasing it around the road trying to go straight down the highway.

Mar 30, 2004 | 06:21 PM

Toreador_Diesel

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 12,246

Likes: 761

From: Houston, Texas

To be honest, its beyond me. I think I'll need to call my dealer sometime tomorrow and ask a few questions.

Mar 31, 2004 | 07:41 AM

mueckster

Lead Driver

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 8,298

Likes: 25

From: Damon (South East Texas)

Try adjusting the backlash in the steering box by loosening the jamb nut on top of the box and screwing the bolt(w/ allen head) in. Tighten it just enough to remove any slack there might be when moving the steering wheel side to side. The pitman arm should respond immediately to the steering wheel movement. Check to see if the steering binds when turning in either direction after adjustment. If it does, just back off the bolt slightly and retighten the jamb nut.

Mar 31, 2004 | 07:49 AM

skuteman

Elder User

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 727

Likes: 0

From: Texas, just south of NY c

farmboy, you just made my case for NOT putting these big, fat, oversized tires on our trucks. They look great , but there is a price too be paid for everything . Hope you get your problem diagnosed and cured..., s.kuteman

Mar 31, 2004 | 11:28 AM

farmb0y

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,365

Likes: 0

From: IOWA

Quote:

Originally Posted by skuteman

I'll agree that oversized tires aren't the best for the trucks, but I wouldn't consider the tires I have on to be big, fat, oversized tires, they are 285/75/R16, just one size bigger than stock. And they get used when driving through mud and snow. The steering has been loose ever since I first got it, and I know the previous owner always had the stock size on it, so oversized tires don't have anything to do with the steering problem... this time.