steering wheel play
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steering wheel play
I just had all four ball joints,both front wheel bearings,and a "drag link" replaced on my 2000 F250 CC 4x4 V10(111,000 miles).The steering wheel now has about two inches of play.It had no play before the work was done.I just got back from a 200 mile trip on the interstate and had to constantly adjust the wheel to stay on coarse.Going back to the shop in the morning.What could be wrong?Thanks.
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From: Del Rio, Texas USA
It is very easy to fix, there is an adjustment for play.... it is on top of the steering box itself, there is an allen bolt with a nut on it.. loosen the nut so you can adjust the allen bolt... give it about a turn and a half clockwise then re-tighten the bolt..... your problem will be solved... it will handle much better....... it works done it to mine, i did not figure that little trick out for over two years.... its soooo much better now...
JJ
JJ
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Play In Steering
Originally Posted by jetjock16
It is very easy to fix, there is an adjustment for play.... it is on top of the steering box itself, there is an allen bolt with a nut on it.. loosen the nut so you can adjust the allen bolt... give it about a turn and a half clockwise then re-tighten the bolt..... your problem will be solved... it will handle much better....... it works done it to mine, i did not figure that little trick out for over two years.... its soooo much better now...
JJ
JJ
I agree with that, but if you read the original post, he says that there was NO PLAY before the front end work. The steering gear DOES NOT loosen up overnight.
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From: South Dakota
Originally Posted by jetjock16
It is very easy to fix, there is an adjustment for play.... it is on top of the steering box itself, there is an allen bolt with a nut on it.. loosen the nut so you can adjust the allen bolt... give it about a turn and a half clockwise then re-tighten the bolt..... your problem will be solved... it will handle much better....... it works done it to mine, i did not figure that little trick out for over two years.... its soooo much better now...
JJ
JJ
Thanks for the tip!!
What exactly does the bolt adjust, does it simply silde the worm gear in closer??
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...it is probably a caster or camber adjustment. It sounds like the steering is tight, but the agjustment of caster/camber is set at 0 degrees....any littlemovement off-center the truck will follow. It is sort of like a bicycle with no rake (angle) to the forks....it is hard to ride with no hands and quite dangerous. Put some camber (I think) into it and the wheels will have a tendency to self center.
I think yours just needs to be adjusted.
I think yours just needs to be adjusted.
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Certainly the best bet is to go back to who worked on your truck. Sometimes fixing everything else makes something show up that wasn't noticed before, like the end play in your steering box. What happens when you are stopped and you turn your wheel? Hope they tightened your lugs enough. If you get the time let me know how you made out, have a good day. Whipline
Originally Posted by willtim
Thanks everybody.Like Rongold said,there was no play prior to the frontend work.
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Good question, Whip.
Willtim, how do you know there was no play before? Why was the draglink replaced...was it bent?
Check to see if there really is play by turning the wheels sitting still. Look to see how much steering wheel input is needed as you change from one direction to the opposite.
Willtim, how do you know there was no play before? Why was the draglink replaced...was it bent?
Check to see if there really is play by turning the wheels sitting still. Look to see how much steering wheel input is needed as you change from one direction to the opposite.
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Update.I just got my truck back from the shop.They triple checked everything(this is a top notch shop).Could find nothing wrong.Every body in the shop drove it.I drove it with the shop owner(per his request).I still think it doesn't drive as as good as before.Oh well....I guess I will get use to it.Thanks for the help.
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From: Mount Airy, MD
Originally Posted by jetjock16
It is very easy to fix, there is an adjustment for play.... it is on top of the steering box itself, there is an allen bolt with a nut on it.. loosen the nut so you can adjust the allen bolt... give it about a turn and a half clockwise then re-tighten the bolt..... your problem will be solved... it will handle much better....... it works done it to mine, i did not figure that little trick out for over two years.... its soooo much better now...
JJ
JJ
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Did you not read any of the posts about the front end alignment? There is something wrong with either the front end alignment or the steering linkage on your truck. Most likely the alignment. The steering would not develop more play because you replaced any parts!!!