My steering is starting to wander a little bit more than I like so I need to see if I can adjust the "loseness" back out of it.
I've tried doing this before on my last truck (69 F100) and pushed a seal or something out of the bottom so I thought I might do better if someone here told me how to do it properly.
It's a '67 F100 manual steering box....

Thanks guys, Steve

 

you first want to inspect the column to make sure that is the reason for the wandering. there are two possibilities, the rag joint just above the steering sector or the gears are becoming worn in the unit itself. if the rag joint is bad you cant fix it you must replace it. if it's the gears you can adjust it if their not too far gone. it's a good idea to measure the play from left to right at the wheel itself. turn the wheel to one side until you feel tension on it measure from a permenant point on the truck (the door is easy) then turn the wheel to the right until you feel tension again . at the same spot you measured on the wheel the first time take another measurement. now you know how much play side to side you have. go to the steering box and loosen the lock nut on the gear adjustment then turn clockwise on the threaded adjustment stud in small increments going back to the steering wheel and checking the play each time until you have approximately one to one and a half inches of play. tighten the lock nut. with an old truck if you try more than that you will probably speed up the deterioration of the gears. go easy is my best advice. hope that helps some.

 

Thanks 4cammer72,

I did like you said and checked the rag joint first. it seems to be in perfect shape along with the rest of the steering column.
On the other hand, I have 7 inches of play in the box itself (3.5 each way). I really appreciate the instructions you gave me since they were different than the instructions I had. It was following those that I messed up the other box and I sure didn't want a repeat.
Thanks bud,
Steve

 

You really should jack the front tires off the ground before you start adjusting the steering box. You will not an accurate feel if you don't.

Keith

 

Not sure what other instructions you had, but this is what I posted awhile ago, straight out of a repair manual:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=275970