81 F150 2wd steering problems

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May 27, 2002 | 06:06 PM

brknfrd

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81 F150 2wd steering problems

I hope you guys can give me some new ideas on my steering problems. I have about a fist full of "dead" slop in my steering and sluggish returnability, I have replaced the kingpins, axle bushings, radius arm bushings, wheel bearings, steering box twice (the second was independently adjusted and verified as "good"), steering shaft and new rag joint, aligned more times than I care to pay for, new tires, tie rods and drag link. I am out of ideas and patients, I'm ready to send this truck down the road. Can anyone else think of something I'm missing???
thanks
dan

May 27, 2002 | 06:43 PM

topo4u2

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81 F150 2wd steering problems

If I understand you correctly you have lots of play in wheel. First thing is to find out where the play is and that is easy. You will need 2 people for this test. Have a friend sit inside and turn wheel with engine off while you take a look. First look at the pitman arm connection to see if any play exists there. Follow the whole linkage across both sides and check all tie rods etc, if all ok check the rag joint. And don't forget to check those damm bolts that hold the steering box to the frame, as they have been known to come loose, and also check for frame flex as I have seen rotten frames cause the same problem.

May 28, 2002 | 05:07 PM

brknfrd

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81 F150 2wd steering problems

I have done all of that already, If I have someone shake the steering wheel the pitman arm moves without any slop, and there's no apparent play in the components i.e.; steering box, tie rod and draglink, kingpins, axles or radius arms. The issue I have is when I'm driving the truck it has a "dead spot" when going straight like the steering box is out of adjustment. I'm on my third box and I drove the truck before I pulled it out and it did not have the same symptoms. And when I turn to the right or left and center the steering wheel I have to over compensate to get the truck to go straight.
I think you may have hit it on the head with the frame rail issue.

any one else have any ideas???
thanks for the response
dan

May 28, 2002 | 10:21 PM

Jimbare

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81 F150 2wd steering problems

had the frame break behind the spring tower on an 85 f150 4x4 once. talk about drive bad, this thing scared an old ford guy real bad. kept getting worse and worse over about a 6 month period. finally had to herd it about 25 miles at about 15 m p h. cause was 33 in tires and a broken rivet in the crossmember behind the bumper. let the frame horn really move around until it broke.

May 29, 2002 | 05:45 PM

Franklin2

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81 F150 2wd steering problems

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 29-May-02 AT 06:46 PM (EST)]I would also check and make sure the steering box is in the center of it's travel when the truck is going straight down the road. They have a "sweet spot" designed in the middle of the gears in the box, and if the tie rod ends are mis-adjusted, the box can be off to one side or the other. You can tell if this is the case by putting the steering wheel in the position that makes the truck drive straight. Then count the number of turns to the left of this spot, and the number to the right. It should be close to the same. You can also take the steering linkage off the pitman arm on the bottom of the box. Then turn the steering wheel all the way to one side, and count the number of turns it takes to go lock to lock. Divide this in half and put the wheel in the middle. Make a mark from the wheel to the steering column. Hook the linkage back up and go for a drive. The steering wheel should be on the mark.

Oh yeah, all of your steering box adjustments have to be made in this center position, or you will find it will have a tight spot in the center position, which can eventually ruin the box.

Jun 2, 2002 | 09:07 AM

brknfrd

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81 F150 2wd steering problems

Franklin2, you hit it on the head. I made sure everything was adjusted before the box went back into the truck however, I should have made sure that the box would still be centered while driving straight. It wasn't even close, better than half a turn to the right on the steering wheel. I adjusted everything up and it drives like a new truck!
thanks again for your help,
dan