Steering slop
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Screven, Georgia U.S.A.
Steering slop
Hi everyone, found a few more problems and need ya'lls help.The rag joint on the steering is shot, best place to get one and easy way to install? Also a lot of play in the steering with tires on the ground, as in the steering box. It has power steering and I'm looking for a way to remove some of the play short of replacing the box. Another thing is, I really appreciate all the help but I drive a truck (over the road driver) so I don't always respond with a Thank You in a timly manner as I should. But I want ya'll to know I appreciate the help and I thank the moderators and all the behind the scene folks that make this great site happen. Vaughn in south Georgia
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Steering slop
Skeese,
The rag joint can be purchased at all auto parts stores. You can buy just the donut with hardware for about $7.99. This will require some cutting and grinding to get the old pins out. You could buy the entire assembly for about $32.00. It should be a simple in and out from there.
Adjusting the steering gear: I've heard alot of stories about how dangerous it is to adjust your steering gear but, I've adjusted them on many different vehicles many different times and never had the slightest problem. There is a stud sticking out the top of your gearbox. Loosen the lock nut and screw the stud clockwise/down until the play is gone. Retighten your locknut. Drive your truck. Check the wheel for play while in a straight line. When you go around a corner insure that the steering wheel returns to center when you let go of it. If not, its too tight.Either loosen it or drive it that way for another week. It will wear in very quickly. My experience is that you only get one good adjustment out of these boxes and then there history.
My Way is the Highway,
KingFisher
The rag joint can be purchased at all auto parts stores. You can buy just the donut with hardware for about $7.99. This will require some cutting and grinding to get the old pins out. You could buy the entire assembly for about $32.00. It should be a simple in and out from there.
Adjusting the steering gear: I've heard alot of stories about how dangerous it is to adjust your steering gear but, I've adjusted them on many different vehicles many different times and never had the slightest problem. There is a stud sticking out the top of your gearbox. Loosen the lock nut and screw the stud clockwise/down until the play is gone. Retighten your locknut. Drive your truck. Check the wheel for play while in a straight line. When you go around a corner insure that the steering wheel returns to center when you let go of it. If not, its too tight.Either loosen it or drive it that way for another week. It will wear in very quickly. My experience is that you only get one good adjustment out of these boxes and then there history.
My Way is the Highway,
KingFisher
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 1
From: in the country
Steering slop
skeeze , I had slop in my 77 f250 4x4 and adjusted the box ,but still didn't eliminate "it"---and then i discovered the steering shaft was very loose---so i ordered anew shaft from flaming river-that eliminated alot of it but still had a detectable amount , but I'm going to convert over to regular psteering from the power assist and I will probably elimimate most of the residual looseness!!!fd
:-X11
:-X11 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska Farm
Steering slop
I discovered that on the F150 4x4's with the coil spring fronts, the panhard rod bushings can go very bad, very quickly. Mine were only about 3 years old and shot. New bushings for $10 and everything tightened right up.
