More steering problems
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
More steering problems
I recently purchased an 88 Bronco with the 4.9L. I have slop in my steering, the truck wanders, and passing 18 wheelers is a white knuckled experiance. The front end appears to be fine, however when I have my wife shake the steering wheel I watch the shaft twist, but not much comes out of the gear box. I'm assuming I need a new gear box. How bad is this project? I also doubt a stabilizer would help my situation.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
stabilizer will mask the issue but not fix it. get a haynes manual it will show how to go about replaceing the steering box. also double check your tierods for play along with wheel bearings.
good luck
good luck
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: VB. Virginia
Changing out the gear box isn't to bad of a job. I changed my box today it took about a couple hours, I soaked down the pitman arm and the power steering hose fittings with penatraiting oil a few hours before I started. I had to go to Sears to get a
1 5/16" socket for the pitman arm nut and a pitman arm puller it costs me 35.00 for the socket and puller. It does drive a lot better than before.
1 5/16" socket for the pitman arm nut and a pitman arm puller it costs me 35.00 for the socket and puller. It does drive a lot better than before.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Make sure to keep any foreign matter (read dirt) from your new box. 94 XLT is absolutely correct, shouldn't take more than 2 to 2.5 hours. Prep everything first, saves a lot of time.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 61
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Does the pitman arm go on one way or do I have to deal with lining it up properly? Would my new gear box come adjusted already? Sorry for the dumb questions, but I plan on buying the Haynes manuel when I buy the new box. Thanks for all the info.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Pitman Arm installation
The Pitman Arm goes on splines and should be lined up so that your steering wheel is centered with the wheels straight. I imagine you will have to cycle the box all the way to the right, then all the way to the left, counting marked steering wheel revolutions prior to attachment. Go back to the right 1/2 the number of revolutions and that should be center of travel on box. Take a digital picture of the installation prior to removal or sketch it. The Pitman Arm should be installed with the drop downward. I just checked and it's very clearly illustrated in the Haynes Manual, #36058 which applies to your Bronco.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Southeast GA
Have you checked the steering coupler? That rag joint at the end of the steering shaft where it couples to teh gear box spline? WHen those give up it puts a ton of slop in the steering.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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I was hoping that the box would have a groove that wouldn't let the pitman arm on but one way. The rag joint checked out fine. Unfortunately the only play in the steering was in the box.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Adjustment Screw
Aurgathor is correct. Make sure not to over-tighten the Adjustment Screw. Make sure to correctly tighten the lock nut when done. It has been way too many years to remember the correct procedure, something about centering everything and making sure there is no bind, tighten till you get close contact, then back off, but I do not remember how much to back off.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 61
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I already did that and the adjustment is in as far as it goes. The way I see it is either replace the box or but a steering stabilizer on it. My biggest concern is how much I get blown around by 18 wheelers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Please don't take this wrong, I run steering stabilizers. In the case of your truck it would be a band-aid. How much play do you have in the steering wheel. Take a piece of tape and put it top center and move wheel to left, measure distance until tires respond. Do the same to the right side and post.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I measured the play in the steering wheel at the top of the steering colum and it was 1 and 1/2 inches. Like I said before, my biggest concern right now is how much this truck sways when I'm near 18 wheelers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
An 1 1/2" play is not excessive, unless it's 1 1/2" one way and 1 1/2" the other for 3" total. I'd put a stabilizer on. Remember that a Bronco has a large sail area and is reactive to wind force. I'm sorry, I haven't asked, is your Bronco lifted? Are your shocks in good shape? Does the truck drive well in all other respects, not hunting around and requiring steering correction all the time. Is it aligned properly? Let us know.