Spongy steering problems
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Elder User
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From: Chaparral, NM
Spongy steering problems
Hi... I just got a 94 F-150 300 I6 the other day and the steering is bugging me. It's like spongy.... drifting from side to side... and it feels like about a foot of play in the wheel to correct it. Is there a way to adjust the play in the wheel or is there something bigger going on in the front end?
Thanks in advance
Michelle's Gottaford.
Thanks in advance
Michelle's Gottaford.
Last edited by Gottaford; May 30, 2005 at 12:43 AM.
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From: houston
It could be both. Get a big par of channel-lock pliers and crawl under the frontend. Place the jaws top and bottom on the tierod ends and squeez. A new tierod end will have no movement in and out. As they wear, movement will develope. The greater the movement, the greater the wear. You don't have to squeez real hard. Anything more than about an 1/8th of an inch an I would start saving my pennies. While you are under there, have someone rock the steering wheel side to side to check for looseness in the box itself. This should tell you where you stand. Good luck.
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Elder User
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From: Chaparral, NM
Thanks Holland. I'll get to that as soon as I can. So if it's messed up how much does this sorta thing cost so I can start saving? And while I'm saving do I have to worry about the steering going out or something? And if it's not this problem and it's just play in the wheel, can that be adjusted or am I just poop outta luck? Sorry bout all the questions.
Michelle's Gottaford.
Michelle's Gottaford.
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From: houston
I can' really say on price. It's been a long time since I had to replace these items. Call someone like NAPA, my favorite around here, for prices. As to the adjustment of the steering box, it is limited. Since the wear takes place on the part of the gear where you drive most, straight ahead, the portion of the gear a 1/2turn to either side is virtually new. When you adjust the slop out of the gears on center, the steering gets real tight when you turn the wheel to either side. Good luck.
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From: Chaparral, NM
Thanks so much for your advice. A friend looked under there while I moved the wheel and he said that it looked like my ty rod bushing was going out. Can you change the bushing without changing the whole ty rod?
Michelle's Gottaford.
Michelle's Gottaford.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: houston
Yes you can. Find some reference points for measurements as to length of rod and end. This will get your toe-in close enough so you can safely drive the truck. However you will not get it on the money. If you drive it very much you will quickly ruin your tires. Go directly to an alignment shop and had the front-end re-aligned. Good luck.
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