I just bought a 91 F150 with an I6. It has a little too much play in the steering and I was wondering the easiest way to correct it or track down the problem. I also noticed that my power steering fluid is dark and has a bit of a burnt smell. What can I do to tighten the steering back up and what would turn the fluid dark? The pump was replaced recently.
Thanks for any advice or help.

 

Make sure you don't have any worn parts first.As far as the fluid goes,did you flush the system or just replace the pump and top it off?

 

My only advice comes from either the owners manual or Haynes manual..I forget where I read it. Do not turn the steering wheel to full left or right and hold it there, this will damage the system. I know when I do that I can hear something sounding stressed out under the hood. There is also an adjustment on the steering gear box, a bolt with a locking nut, but the mechanics I have talked to say that is basically worthless and is only used at the factory when setting up the gearbox. Although Haynes would have you think it can help remove some play.

 

I've adjusted several steering gears in Ford and Dodge vehicles and it helps. Be sure to adjust with the wheels straight ahead and on the ground. Turn the key foreward one click to release the steering wheel lock then loosen the jamb nut on the steering gear adjusting bolt. Now grab onto the steering shaft going into the rearbox and wiggle it side to side. There shouls be no play as indicated by pitman arm movement. Slowly turn in the adjustin bolt until play is gone then lock in position with the jamb nut. Take the truck for a drive. If the steering feels stiff at the center straight ahead position you have overtightened the bolt and will have to back it off a little. Keep doing this until you get it right. I did this to my 93 in 1999 and it is still steering great.

 

If you plan on keeping the truck for a while, a remanufactured power steering gear is about $180 from Napa, its about an hour and a half job depending on how your pitman arm comes off. I did it a few weeks ago after my sector shaft seals came spraying out along with a couple of quarts of steering fluid. When i looked at it the retaing ring groove was gone. New gear made the truck steer like new. Also, get new hoses while you're at it, at first i didnt bother but one was leaking within a week from getting bent around a bit while working on the gear (it was rusted bad). I would think its a lot better way to go then to blindly tighten that setscrew and hope your steering doesnt bind up on you.