Steering loose?
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Central New York
Originally Posted by MustangGT221
The only way you can damage the box is if you overtighten it...and that would be felt if the steering is not smooth and it binds.
I lifted my truck, and at the same time I put in a new steering box and superlift's superrunner steering system. My truck's steering was way better, but after about 10k miles I now have a little slack when going straight. If driving straight I can turn the wheel about 2-3inches back and forth and the truck will barely turn. They setup the steering on these trucks so that in a panic situation if you cut the wheel hard, it hopefully won't be too hard and flip the truck over. You can get it fairly tight but it'll never be totally gone. I'm going to tighten mine up some more and see if I can get most of the slop out.
Every Ford truck I've driven has done it to some degree.
I lifted my truck, and at the same time I put in a new steering box and superlift's superrunner steering system. My truck's steering was way better, but after about 10k miles I now have a little slack when going straight. If driving straight I can turn the wheel about 2-3inches back and forth and the truck will barely turn. They setup the steering on these trucks so that in a panic situation if you cut the wheel hard, it hopefully won't be too hard and flip the truck over. You can get it fairly tight but it'll never be totally gone. I'm going to tighten mine up some more and see if I can get most of the slop out.
Every Ford truck I've driven has done it to some degree.
Thanks for your response.
Mark
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
Thats what i mean with 2-3 inches of play it's easy to over correct and continue swerving all over the road. You said it's to help minimize roll over, ok but what about the swerving?... You minimize roll over by a wider wheel base and lower center of gravity not by loosening the steering. My Explorer is crisp and very responsive and those had a high roll over rate.
I would say before adjusting the scerw turn your truck on with the hood open and from outside reach in through your driver side window and turn the wheel. Listen at how the power steering sounds so when you adjust and go to far the power steering wont be staining to turn the wheel. I notice mine get a bit louder but then I backed off and left it at 1 full turn clockwise. Originaly I did about 3 turns (I didn't mention it cause I didn't want any one to try it). At 1 full turn there was no difference in sound. I would also suggest marking the screw and starting point so you can go back if you need to and it will make your increments easier to read. Be carefull. i am no expert on this and this was my first attempt at this so adjust at your own risk.
I would say before adjusting the scerw turn your truck on with the hood open and from outside reach in through your driver side window and turn the wheel. Listen at how the power steering sounds so when you adjust and go to far the power steering wont be staining to turn the wheel. I notice mine get a bit louder but then I backed off and left it at 1 full turn clockwise. Originaly I did about 3 turns (I didn't mention it cause I didn't want any one to try it). At 1 full turn there was no difference in sound. I would also suggest marking the screw and starting point so you can go back if you need to and it will make your increments easier to read. Be carefull. i am no expert on this and this was my first attempt at this so adjust at your own risk.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Central New York
Originally Posted by PrPlayboy
Thats what i mean with 2-3 inches of play it's easy to over correct and continue swerving all over the road. You said it's to help minimize roll over, ok but what about the swerving?... You minimize roll over by a wider wheel base and lower center of gravity not by loosening the steering. My Explorer is crisp and very responsive and those had a high roll over rate.
I would say before adjusting the scerw turn your truck on with the hood open and from outside reach in through your driver side window and turn the wheel. Listen at how the power steering sounds so when you adjust and go to far the power steering wont be staining to turn the wheel. I notice mine get a bit louder but then I backed off and left it at 1 full turn clockwise. Originaly I did about 3 turns (I didn't mention it cause I didn't want any one to try it). At 1 full turn there was no difference in sound. I would also suggest marking the screw and starting point so you can go back if you need to and it will make your increments easier to read. Be carefull. i am no expert on this and this was my first attempt at this so adjust at your own risk.
I would say before adjusting the scerw turn your truck on with the hood open and from outside reach in through your driver side window and turn the wheel. Listen at how the power steering sounds so when you adjust and go to far the power steering wont be staining to turn the wheel. I notice mine get a bit louder but then I backed off and left it at 1 full turn clockwise. Originaly I did about 3 turns (I didn't mention it cause I didn't want any one to try it). At 1 full turn there was no difference in sound. I would also suggest marking the screw and starting point so you can go back if you need to and it will make your increments easier to read. Be carefull. i am no expert on this and this was my first attempt at this so adjust at your own risk.
BY THE WAY,,,,,did it change the centering of your steering wheel??
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
It bugs me too and before my alignment i had to hold the steering wheel left a bit but it wasn't cause it was pulling to the right. Who ever replaced the steering box cut corners.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Central New York
I heard that Chevys don't have that problem. Ford steering system is simple, but chevys are more complicated (more to go wrong)
Hey one other thing,,,,,,,I do find my steering improve when I shift into 4x4,,,did you get the same result? Gee, if it's better all around,,wow,,that will be great.
Mark
Hey one other thing,,,,,,,I do find my steering improve when I shift into 4x4,,,did you get the same result? Gee, if it's better all around,,wow,,that will be great.
Mark
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
I havent even put this thing in 4x4 yet. I would assume it's not that bad in 4x4 because of the drive force going thru the front end.
FYI I went from feeling unsafe to safe which to me is all the reason to tightening the steering. It's so simple to do I'm going to continue to tweak it. The only drawback is you need to road test it each time. I tried seeing if i could take the play out of it but road testing was a better way of making the adjustments.
FYI I went from feeling unsafe to safe which to me is all the reason to tightening the steering. It's so simple to do I'm going to continue to tweak it. The only drawback is you need to road test it each time. I tried seeing if i could take the play out of it but road testing was a better way of making the adjustments.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Central New York
That sounds about right. (road testing that is) It's probably gonna be tough to tell when you've gone TOO far. Like I said,,,I'm very anxious to try it out,,but I will wait for the weekend just to play it safe. I will also find the grease fittings and lube it up a bit too.
Thanks for the very useful info and keep it coming.
Mark
Thanks for the very useful info and keep it coming.
Mark
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 170
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Awesome, I'm going to adjust mine this weekend as well.
I've notice stearing get a lil tighter/stronger when in 4x4 with my Bronco II so it could be the same for my F-150. After adjust I'll test it out in 2wd and 4wd.
I've notice stearing get a lil tighter/stronger when in 4x4 with my Bronco II so it could be the same for my F-150. After adjust I'll test it out in 2wd and 4wd.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
Face your truck from the front and it should be in the front lower right hand side. Mine was right near the fan shroud. Also look near your power steering pump. That will help you locate the steering box then you should see the screw right on top. It is a stud sticking up about 1-1.5 inches with a nut at the base. The stud should have a slot for a flat head screw driver.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 68
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From: Central New York
Thanks,,,,,,and Yep,,,,,I do know the general vicinity,,,,,but I have a 6.0 PSD and The airbox (air filter) blocks a good section of the top right of the engine compartment. I'm sure this project will be fun.
Mark
Mark
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 812
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From: New Canaan, CT
The air boxes are easy to remove just check to see if there is a plug on it for the air mass flow and if there is dont start the truck with out it plugged in. For me i didnt have to remove anything. It was just there out in the open waiting to be adjusted.