I have a bad steering problem and don't know the cause. I hope someone here can help me diagnose the problem. When driving, the steering wheel and tires are pulled or jerked to the left. Sometimes these jerks feel like strong tugs to the left. This happens at different intervals. This may happen at the rate of twice per second up to maybe once every two seconds. Sometimes not at all.

Almost as soon as the wheels are pulled to the left they seem to be released. Driving straight ahead is moderatley scary but right turns are really frightening when this happens. This problem does not seem to be affected by the truck's speed or the engine's RPMs. The problem seems to lessen after driving several miles but never disappears completely.

My truck is : 1976 F- 250 4x4. It has the a power steering assist valve that powers a hydraulic cylinder. And all parts of the steering leak.

OK. Here are my thoughts, and feel free to tell me where I'm wrong. I think I either have trash in the PS system, maybe a hose that is collapsing or the cylinder needs rebuilding or replacing. (The whole PS system needs replacing but some of it's parts are no longer made.) I once drove a forklift whose boom tilt cylinders needed rebuilding. I could push on the vertical boom and move it several inches towards the forklift. I was thinking that if my PS cylinder is bad, maybe every dip in the road to the left causes the cylinder to partly close, jerking the tires and steering wheel to the left.

I don't know. But I sure welcome any advice or questions you have regarding this problem.

 

Maby a axle u joint is froze up ?

 

I'll have to check that as soon as the driveway is clear of ice. Thanks.

 

Hey Skeptic, I had a 68 Mercury cougar that did the same thing. One day it just about caused me to wreck. I had a system with the hyd cylinder and it was all wore out and leaking. I replaced the cylinder and control valve and it was all good after that.

 

I had a friend move the steering wheel today while I observed the steering assembly. The cylinder seems to work OK, but where it attaches to the drive axle housing has a lot of play.

Now if someone could point me toward some parts...

 

Well here is an update. I was able to buy the power steering cylinder and the valve. Spent $179 + on each and wouldn't you know it, the biggest amount of play is caused by a worn bushing where the cylinder shaft attaches to the spindle conecting rod. That's what my book calls it anyway. I thought it was a tie rod.

Anyway, the setup looks about the way some shocks attach. There are two bushings sandwiched between two concave washers. These all fit into a collar that bolts to the tie rod. I have everything I need except for the bushings. Neither Ford, Auto Zone, Napa, National Parts Depot have the bushings. Oh, neither does the local Ford Tractor dealer.

Anyone know a workaround for this? Could I possibly buy some kind of cab mount bushings and whittle them down? All advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

get some shock bushings...HELP section of most parts stores

 

Try a chevy dealer. Corvette PS from 63-82 uses a similar system with a similar bushing setup. The bushings may be the same, or useable.

 

Use Chebby or shock absorber bushings. Install them on a rod as a handle, cut 'em down to the size on a grinder. Check your parts store for Moog suspension parts.
Carl....=o&o>....

 

Skeptic:

I hope your bushings correct the problem. If not, pull down the left hub and check the axle bearings. This should only take a few minutes and costs essentially nothing. Occasionally, when they start to run dry they bind up. That's the step prior to coming completely apart. Good luck.

Ernie

 

OK, here's how things are now. I found the cylinder bushings I needed at a Ford Truck center in Greensboro. Everything is back together as I had planned, plus a little extra.

When disassembling everything I had noticed that the tie rod end on the driver's side had a lot a play in it. I replaced this along with everything else. Well, the same amount of play is there even with the new tie rod end. I couldn't torque it down. Either the hole for it in the steering knuckle is wallowed out, I have a tie rod end with the wrong size end or the shoulder on the end is just made too high. Any ideas?

Anyway, for the results. The power steering is sweet. And I no longer leak in the yard and kill the grass. As for the jerking of the wheels which initiated this whole job, well that's much better. In fact it's gone. Still, I suppose because of the tie rod problem, the front end wants to wander a bit. But I can live with that and more importantly, I can again use the truck for work.

I welcome any wisdom you have concerning the loose tie rod problem. Do I need a new steering knuckle or maybe put a washer under the nut holding the tie rod end? Plus, thanks for everyone's input. If you need more details let me know.

 

Hey skeptic, it's good to hear your power steering is fixed. I know what you were going through driving it before. Just wish the power steering parts were not so expensive. I don't have an f250, mine is a 76 f150 4x4 but I have rebuilt the front end on it and it drives nice. I will look at my tie rod ends this evening and let you know if I have play in mine at the knuckle.

 

I'm beginning to think my wheel bearing, as someone stated earlier, is contributing to the problem. I hear a squealing sound. I probably need to replace everything on the driver's side having anything to do with steering or the wheel turning.

 

Well, at least your through the scary stuff. My truck is doing the same exact thing. The first time it pulled to the left was just as I was passing a log truck coming up a grade, he went by me with his horn whaling. Yikes...

Good Luck to you Skeptic...

 

Skeptic did you ever find the correct bushings for your hyd cyclinder. I was looking at a NPD catalog yesterday and I think I saw them in there. Let me know if you need the P/N.