steering problems
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Senior User
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steering problems
I have a 69 f100 2wd three on the tree. I am having a problem where the steering wheel isn't sitting close enough to the column. There must be something within the steering column that is broken. When I press down on the wheel it will go back to its correct position, but when I let go it springs back. This is putting excess stress on the rag joint (Which isn't that old) When I look under the hood, I can see that there is a little collar on the steering shaft that is held on by a little nut and bolt. The head of this bolt is rubbing on the end of the steering column and I can feel it as I turn. So, what do you think is causing this?
Also, about how far should the steering wheel be able to turn without the wheels turning? In other words, how many degrees of play should there be in the steering wheel? If there is too much play, is it caused by the steering box?
thanks for any help
brad
Also, about how far should the steering wheel be able to turn without the wheels turning? In other words, how many degrees of play should there be in the steering wheel? If there is too much play, is it caused by the steering box?
thanks for any help
brad
all alone in the world
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: oklahoma
loosen the clamp at the firewall on the bottom of the column, then loosen the bolts holding the column to the dash. you should then be able to slide the column housing up to the steering wheel.
as far as the slack in the wheel, it can be caused by the rag joint, play in the steering box, or play in the front end steering components. as far as degrees of slack, i havent heard of any certain ones. i just go with what is comfortable for me.
course i been driving old fords for about 30 years, so i am used to a little road walk. doesnt bother me anymore if it has about 1/4 turn of slack in it.
jim
as far as the slack in the wheel, it can be caused by the rag joint, play in the steering box, or play in the front end steering components. as far as degrees of slack, i havent heard of any certain ones. i just go with what is comfortable for me.
course i been driving old fords for about 30 years, so i am used to a little road walk. doesnt bother me anymore if it has about 1/4 turn of slack in it.
jim
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Jimbare,
If I slide the column up, then the spring that is inside the column that pushes the wheel and steering shaft up will only push the wheel up farther. Eventually, if I slide the column up far enough, the spring will push the steering shaft up until the rag joint becomes taunt and will no longer allow me to slide the column up. This will seemingly fix the problem since there will be no more gap between the wheel and the column and the bolt that I mentioned will no longer rub on the column. But won't there be excess stress on the rag joint, and if I need sometime to change it it will be awfully hard. Maybe I am wrong. Shouldn't the donnut in the rag joint be flat? Mine is flexed meaning that the spring in the steering column is pushing up on the steering shaft which in turn pulls on the rag joint. If I move the column it will only increase the flex in the donnut, right? If I push down on the wheel to close the gap between the column and the wheel, then the donnut flattens out.
thanks for all the help
brad
If I slide the column up, then the spring that is inside the column that pushes the wheel and steering shaft up will only push the wheel up farther. Eventually, if I slide the column up far enough, the spring will push the steering shaft up until the rag joint becomes taunt and will no longer allow me to slide the column up. This will seemingly fix the problem since there will be no more gap between the wheel and the column and the bolt that I mentioned will no longer rub on the column. But won't there be excess stress on the rag joint, and if I need sometime to change it it will be awfully hard. Maybe I am wrong. Shouldn't the donnut in the rag joint be flat? Mine is flexed meaning that the spring in the steering column is pushing up on the steering shaft which in turn pulls on the rag joint. If I move the column it will only increase the flex in the donnut, right? If I push down on the wheel to close the gap between the column and the wheel, then the donnut flattens out.
thanks for all the help
brad
all alone in the world
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,038
Likes: 1
From: oklahoma
sorry, should be a clamp on the steering shaft also. just below the end of the column housing. you should slide it up also.
be sure you dont put stress on the rag joint when doing this, see if the rag joint is running in line now, and make sure it is after you are done. it should be pretty much flat, not pulled up or pushed down.
jim
be sure you dont put stress on the rag joint when doing this, see if the rag joint is running in line now, and make sure it is after you are done. it should be pretty much flat, not pulled up or pushed down.
jim
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Joined: Jan 2004
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I was concerned about the play in my steering wheel, because when I hit potholes or anything bumpy, the tires would kinda choose their own direction. It got bad enough that I decided to work on it. I swapped out the gear box for a rebuilt one, (roughly $200), and that took care of about 80% of the problem. There is almost no play in the wheel anymore. I am also going to add on a stabilizer shock to help the tires have a little less play in them.
