help me solve an argument
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: stevens point
help me solve an argument
me and my father have been "fighting" over this for a while. there is a rubber disc that connects the steering shaft to the steering box on my 78 f150. my father says that that can not possibly be stock because everytime my power steering goes out and i try to turn the wheels the bolts will pull out of the rubber, disconnecting the shaft. he says ford never would have done that cuz it would be so easy to sue, and for liability reasons. i say otherwise because it was my understanding ( i could be wrong) that non-power steering equipped trucks came with a u-joint in the shaft. who is right? is the rubber disc stock ford and should it break trying to turn my large tires (33s) without power steering?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
i cant really answer your question but i dont see why anything else would break without power steering. my power steering went out like 2 months ago on my 79 and nothing else is broken, i also have 35s and this is my daily driver. my power steering still isnt fixed.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
No truck came with a true ujoint in the shaft. You must have a solid bind to tear that disc, as I have not managed to do it in all the years I have driven vehicles that had the discs. That part is referred to as a "rag joint" It is about safety, if you were in a front end accident, it will give, and the steering shaft will collapse so as not to impale you on the steering column.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
That's right, the slots in the joint go around the bolts. If those are missing, then someone has replaced the joint, and either used the wrong bolts, or put it together wrong, because the bolts have special heads that extend through the joint to keep from having total loss of steering, just may get a bit sloppy...
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
You win, it is factory. They all use them, they are even available on the help rack at your local parts store. And yes, there is a safety dow pin so if the reinforced rubber does break, it will still be driveable, but have alot of slop in the steering wheel.
Just a note, most older Mercedes Benz Diesel cars use them for u-joints in the drive shaft. I just replaced one in a 77 240D that finally broke @ 311,000 miles!!
Just a note, most older Mercedes Benz Diesel cars use them for u-joints in the drive shaft. I just replaced one in a 77 240D that finally broke @ 311,000 miles!!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
These rag joints were used on both power steering and manual steering equipped Ford 2wd pickups...
Marty
Marty
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 0
From: South Central Boise
Punch each other in the face at the same time. Then say that you love each other and it doesn't matter who's right or wrong.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: San Angelo TX
I have a u-joint style steering shaft in my Highboy. There is no rubber disc in mine at all. I wish there was though. The joint is pressed on and about shot. +1 to what LXMan1 said. it is a stock set up.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: stevens point
does anyone have a picture of what a stock one looks like cuz mines sheared off completely and left me with no steering twice. maybe someone replaced it wrong before i bought it, because both times it broke i replaced it the same way. (i had no other reference points).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
okedokeno
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
28
Oct 26, 2012 10:45 PM
rb76543
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
May 23, 2010 03:37 PM