Steering loose?
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Jim Thorpe
Loose steering
I have a 91 full size Bronco with the same problem, 93K miles. The steering wheel moves about 2 inches before the truck reacts when going straight on the highway. Every little change in the road moves the truck causing it to swerve which is very unnerving and you must pay attention. I have adjusted the screw on the steering box but it tightents up the steering without really fixing the problem. If you make it too tight you can crush the little needle bearing inside the box. Some posters claim they turned the screw two or three turns which doesn't seem possible as the screw will usually bottom out within one half to three quarters of a turn. I also was thinking about replacing the box but it sounds like that won't fix the problem. My 86 Bronco didn't have this problem.
The steering sucks.
The steering sucks.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Remsen, NY
Originally Posted by Marquis
I have a 91 full size Bronco with the same problem, 93K miles. The steering wheel moves about 2 inches before the truck reacts when going straight on the highway. Every little change in the road moves the truck causing it to swerve which is very unnerving and you must pay attention. I have adjusted the screw on the steering box but it tightents up the steering without really fixing the problem. If you make it too tight you can crush the little needle bearing inside the box. Some posters claim they turned the screw two or three turns which doesn't seem possible as the screw will usually bottom out within one half to three quarters of a turn. I also was thinking about replacing the box but it sounds like that won't fix the problem. My 86 Bronco didn't have this problem.
The steering sucks.
The steering sucks.
Keep in mind the rubbery feeling ragjoint, it will not handle like a little sportscar. There is a difference between the rubbery but still connected feeling and a loose freeplay feeling.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 482
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adjustment proceedure
The steering box adjustment proceedure in the Haynes manual has 23 steps and requires the steering wheel cover to be removed and to drop the pitman arm. After reading the proceedure it seems concerned mainly with getting the box within spec for torque. Read a manual and decide if you want to cheat the process with the method suggested in this thread. (I would)
Don't have a manual? You're flying blind without instruments. At least get one of the <$20 ones. I think Haynes is better than Chilton, I have both. Factory Manuals from www.helminc.com are more $$ but also more complete and specific to your year.
Don't have a manual? You're flying blind without instruments. At least get one of the <$20 ones. I think Haynes is better than Chilton, I have both. Factory Manuals from www.helminc.com are more $$ but also more complete and specific to your year.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Salt Lake City
Originally Posted by gatesj
You'll ruin the box in short order if you adjust it that tight.
I realize this thing ain't a sports car, but it handles worse than any vehicle I have ever driven with the exception one very old Ford work truck that had about 90 degrees of slop in the steering box.
I just read a post that frozen u-joints can cause similar behavior. I suppose the u-joints have to move a bit when the tires turn (in 2WD), but this seems like a stretch.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Remsen, NY
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Glens Falls, NY
I just got my first Ford pickup, a 95 F-150 XLT Extended Cab 2WD 5.0L truck. I also was uncomfortable with the steering on the truck. Is this problem systematic with all the Ford trucks? I have no qualms rebuilding the entire front end if it needs it. But, if it's the steering box, I'd rather be able to identify that before I sink $750 in rebuilding the whole front end. The truck has 144,000 miles on it by the way.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Central New York
Originally Posted by 93XR7
I just got my first Ford pickup, a 95 F-150 XLT Extended Cab 2WD 5.0L truck. I also was uncomfortable with the steering on the truck. Is this problem systematic with all the Ford trucks? I have no qualms rebuilding the entire front end if it needs it. But, if it's the steering box, I'd rather be able to identify that before I sink $750 in rebuilding the whole front end. The truck has 144,000 miles on it by the way.
Whatever you decide to do,,,post it and let us know how it goes.
Thanks,
Mark
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by edrush59
I have the same problem with my 94 F150 SB Reg Cab 4x4. It drives me nuts! I have tightened the steering box screw until it doesn't want to return to center. That makes it more difficult to drive. I have never been able to find an obvious cause. It drives very poorly in wind or on an uneven road surface. Or if the road suddently tilts or if I hit a bump. On a good road with no wind it usually drives just fine, but under certian conditions it seems downright dangerous. I have thought about replacing the steering box but I am afraid I would still be in the same boat after replacement. The steering wheel will move 1-2 inches before the steering reacts, but when I look out the drivers window the front tires seem to follow the steering wheel closely. I suppose a rubber mounted front end is never going to be real accurate, but I really hate the way this truck drives.
I sure don't recall it being this bad when my truck was new in 94.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by JimTZ
I have the exact same truck (except extended cab) with the exact same symptoms. Joints are all tight. I tried adjusting the steering box (didn't follow the factory procedure), got it just a bit too tight and RUINED THE BOX. Full of metal shavings when opened it up. Had to buy a new box, but it only slightly improved the steering play! Now I've got 60K miles on the new box and the sterring play is worse than ever. I have to correct when any size car passes me on the freeway. It was just realigned and (they claim) suspension joints all checked by alignment shop... zero improvement.
I sure don't recall it being this bad when my truck was new in 94.
I sure don't recall it being this bad when my truck was new in 94.
Trailering
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15
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Originally Posted by PrPlayboy
I found the screw! It's as stated right on top of the steering box. It is in fact a stud looking like screw with a nut on the bottom. The top of the stud has a slot for a flat head screw driver the the bottom nut keeping it tight was a 16mm nut. I loosened the nut and turned the screw clockwise about one complete turn then retightened the nut while holding the screw in place with the screw driver and it's a night and day differance! I think i will give it 1/2 a turn more today. I'm sure you can over do it so becareful. I will see about taking a pic later on today.
manually return it. You'll look like a drunk going down the road. As I recall,
the method in the manual has you tighten or loosen the screw until the torque required to turn the steering wheel is in a certain range and required a special tool to measure. I believe over-tightening will also
damage the steering gear eventually.
I had a very loose '90 Ranger that improved somewhat with tightening
but I eventually replaced the power steering gear. It's now much better
but still has that bit of looseness that the others describe.
Posting Guru
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From: Remsen, NY
I wonder if the rag joint gets crappy on these trucks. My '91 4x2 actually feels pretty good considering it has ball joints that are loose as a goose (I do NOT drive this on the road anymore, endangering others' lives). My '95 4x4 feels heavier and I think the rag joint flexes more. There is no actual freeplay but there is a certain amount of effort to keep it centered in its lane with a wind along with movement of the steering wheel, especially after I get used to driving the little cars. It feels rubbery.