I just had my 94 F150 4X4 aligned and new tires installed. It still has too much play in the steering. It has 140,000 miles on it. The tire shop said that none of the parts were worn. That was surprising since they sell the stuff. Any ideas? Is there an adjustment on the steering gear box?
Thanks

 

Yes you can adjust your steering box. There is a time consuming way that the shop manuals tell you about that involves removing the pitman arm and using a torque wrench. While adjusting the screw on top of the box. I just tightened the screw down untill it bottomed and then backed it out about 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. I then drove it. It was to tight so I backed it out 1/4 a turn at a time and drove it between each time to see how it felt. It took 2 or 3 times before i got it where i thought it felt right.

 

New ball joints fixed mine.

Jt sounds like he has it right.

 

The steering box adjustment worked for me, too. I adjusted clockwise 1/8 of a turn at a time until it felt right.

 

Thanks, I will give that a try. It can only help.

 

I have a mechanic friend telling me not to adjust the screw that it can cause the steering to lock up whicl going down the road. Any truths to this?
THanks

 

I screwed one up big time and had to replace the whole box. It was a chevy and I had a spare but what a PITA. It locked up and I had to change it or tow it. Good luck.

 

Read the book before you adjust the screw. It is not what you think it is.

 

Not all of us have one, please enlighten us

 

I read the book and know what it is. I adjusted as I described above and the results have been most gratifying. All I did was get the play down to something reasonable, I did not try to make it feel like a rack and pinion. I would have bought a rebuilt box before doing the adjustment as described in the book.

 

I agree with c96drumm.

The "screw" is the meshload, sector shaft adjusting screw.

Even the Haynes manual says that the correct adjustment of the screw and the worm gear preload can majorly reduce the play in the steering wheel.

 

I also have tons of play in my steering and think that it is the same problem, can someone post a picture of where that screw is

 

Mine is on the top side of the box. It has a lock nut around it. Straighten your wheels before you start. Jt's method sounds right. I have done it on three trucks with no problem. Do not make it too tight. Good luck

 

Can someone tell me where the steering box is ?

 

The steering box is the large thing at the bottom end of the steering column. There are gears in it, and if you have power steering there are hoses coming out of it. The adjustment is on the side facing up.