Tight steering.......

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Jan 14, 2003 | 09:22 PM

fordblue_ca

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From: Coquitlam, BC Canada

Tight steering.......

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-14-03 AT 10:22 PM (EST)]I just replaced the "rag joint" in my truck but now the steering is too tight, even the gear shift is tight to move. When I turn a corner its not returning on its own. I tried to loosen the bolts a bit thought I might have over tightened them but seemed to make no difference.

1979 F250, Auto,400M

Thanks for any ideas,

Joey

Jan 14, 2003 | 11:00 PM

Fordzzzz77

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Joined: Mar 2000

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From: Chimacum/Jefferson County

Tight steering.......

Jan 14, 2003 | 11:06 PM

Mike W

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Central Kali

Tight steering.......

Perhaps something was binding in the steering column before the rag joint replacement. When you replaced the rag joint, it made the problem worse? Keep us informed, interesting problem.

Jan 14, 2003 | 11:10 PM

benwantland

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Joined: Sep 2002

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From: Iowa

Tight steering.......

I don't know if your steering box is like mine, but if it is, there is an adjusting screw with a jam nut around it that sticks out the top of the box. This is used to adjust the preload on the gears inside. If it is not tight enough, your steering will be loose. Likewise, if it is too tight, the steering will feel tight and it won't like to return to center. It could also be excessive wear in any of the other steering/suspension joints/bushings/etc. Look over everything for excessive wear first, then consider adjusting your steering box. Be careful with it though.

Jan 14, 2003 | 11:30 PM

fordblue_ca

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From: Coquitlam, BC Canada

Tight steering.......

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-15-03 AT 00:31 AM (EST)]I did back off the adjustment on the steering box about 1/2 a turn. Did not have any problems before, beside loose steering that is.

I think it must be something in the steering colomn, is there some bushings or bearings that could have bound up a bit??. what gets me is the gear shift is tight too, so I dont think it can be the steering box.

Thanks for any ideas

Joey

One of those simple jobs turned complicated and frustrating

Jan 15, 2003 | 05:17 AM

macguyver

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From: Minneapolis, MN

Tight steering.......

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-15-03 AT 06:19 AM (EST)]Sounds like your cab mounts have settled. Loosen the mount plate where your steering column goes thru the firewall and see if things free up. You might have to elongate the holes on the plate to line things up. The problem isn't in the steering box if it wasn't there before. The tip-off is the tight shifter. The steering shaft is pushing sideways causing the bind. Probably what caused the rag joint to fail too.
Just my $.02
Greg

'77 F-250 Camper Special 400ci driver
'76 F-250 Supercab 360ci current project
'71 Mach I 429CJ in storage
'79 F-150 for parts
huct on foniks wurkt fer me