Steering Adjustment
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
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Steering Adjustment
It can be adjusted if thats the problem . First make sure all the other steering components are ok , wheel bearings are adjusted properly & the tire pressures are adequate & equal on all tires . The steering box has an adjustable sector shaft . Its something thats fairly easy to do but can quickly become a problem if the person doing it isnt mechanically inclined . Using a flat tip screwdriver or Torx bit , some use both , hold the shaft steady while its locknut is loosened . Hold the locknut and turn the sector shaft one half to one turn only , Hold it in place while you tighten the locknut . Drive the vehicle & see if the steering drift improves . Dont adjust it more than one turn . Test drive afterwards . If adjusted properly , the steering drift should be gone & the wheel should return to center with little effort after a turn .
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 84
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Steering Adjustment
Be careful during this adjustment. If it is too tight you will get a strange sensation while driving, like it is stiff when the wheel is centered. It will be hard to keep the truck straight on the road because the worm and sector in the steering box are binding. In the centered zone the power assist is not operating. That is why you feel it only then.
If you get this sensation, immediately loosen the adjusting screw to a position closer to the starting position. I suggest you somehow mark the original position before you start.
If you get this sensation, immediately loosen the adjusting screw to a position closer to the starting position. I suggest you somehow mark the original position before you start.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,586
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From: Linwood, N.J. USA!
Steering Adjustment
Robert, I would check out everything else before you go to the box. I have had several trucks with this problem at one time or another. Most of the time it would be the drag link. You need someone to rock the steering wheel while you watch the link. Also, take notice to tie-rod ends and any play at the sector shaft. The engine must be running and make sure the parking brake is on. I made the mistake of messing with the box adjustment. I wasn't sure of how to actually adjust it and it was a bear to get it proper. I learned the hard way. Good luck.
Jake gypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.
Jake gypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.
New User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Steering Adjustment
My '90 300-6 SB does the same thing. I thoroughly researched the problem to the steering box. 2 front end shops narrowed it down for me(for free) and I was w/them the entire time.
They checked wheel bearings, front end slop and last, the steering shaft coupler thats close to the bo
w/the plastic cover over it). All these can be sources of play but on my truck it came down to the box. Adjusted the sector shaft locknut ~3/4 of a turn and that improved it but did not eliminate.
They said that its not a persistant problem for Ford trucks but it seems to be the "luck of the draw" on whether you get a sloppy box or not after some miles. I have 90K.
Danny
They checked wheel bearings, front end slop and last, the steering shaft coupler thats close to the bo
w/the plastic cover over it). All these can be sources of play but on my truck it came down to the box. Adjusted the sector shaft locknut ~3/4 of a turn and that improved it but did not eliminate.They said that its not a persistant problem for Ford trucks but it seems to be the "luck of the draw" on whether you get a sloppy box or not after some miles. I have 90K.
Danny
