loose steering
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Yes, all the tie rods are brand new, everything from the pitman arm down. I have not replaced the pitman arm however, but I don't see play coming from that, all it is a piece of metal anyway, no moving parts. The drag link is actually the one that was bad, but i replaced them all at the same time, figured I might as well since everything else down there is brand new. They only had the premium ones in stock, and by the time I found that out the truck was apart in the garage, and I had to cut the drag link off with a sawzall, so I couldn't move it....cost me 330 dollars or some ungodly some like that for all four parts. that is why I am goin through this, I just haven't worried about it till now, but after all the money invested already, I might as well get the truck to drive the way I want it to.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: austin
I always thought the loose steering in my old Fords ('86, '87, '88, and especially my '79) was the way Ford engineered the trucks to help the working man drive home from the bar without zigzagging all over the road! Think about it, with decent alignment, it's hard not to drive straight in most old Fords!
-Chris
-Chris
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I am starting to wonder that myself, the only thing that makes me wonder is that my parents truck (91 f150) is real tight. I looked up the part number for the steering box, and it is the same exact one as the box in my 250. I don't mind the play too much when I myself am driving it, but my fiancee needs it sometimes to run errands out at college, and it makes me nervous with play in the wheel. Also, when driving in the snow next to a semi it is downright scary for one tire to hit a little pile of snow, because you are already swerving by the time you can react. I'd rather spend some money now and make the thing drive right than have to replace the truck when it's in a ditch somewhere.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
I've always found a little play in every one of these trucks I've driven.
It'll never be like a car - different steering box (not close ratio).
Alignment has to do with it too, as well as ball joints.
One reason I didn't bring up is that if you're on the highway and make a quick jolt of the wheel - it's not as reactive as a car would be. I think Ford may have put this in the design somewhat to prevent people from over-reacting in emergency situations and roll it over.
It'll never be like a car - different steering box (not close ratio).
Alignment has to do with it too, as well as ball joints.
One reason I didn't bring up is that if you're on the highway and make a quick jolt of the wheel - it's not as reactive as a car would be. I think Ford may have put this in the design somewhat to prevent people from over-reacting in emergency situations and roll it over.
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I'm not too worried about how fast the steering reacts-I'm not concerned with responsiveness, I just don't like how the truck can turn itself with the wheel held straight. And interestingly, I found that when I had the truck aligned this summer, it nearly doubled the play. at least while driving, I had 3 or 4 inches before I did the tie rods. Maybe the tires fighting each other going down the road took away some of the looseness. I also noticed while checking this last box that there is a very small amount of movement in the steering column-maybe enough to account for 1/4-1/2 inch of steering wheel movement. That would be fine though-you probably wouldn't notice that while driving much.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
I put my truck in my uncles shop and installed my 6" lift, superrunner steering, and a new ford steering box (not rebuilt). When it came out that steering was perfect, very small amount of play and it felt great. Within 20k miles it was loose again, right around the time my ball joints needed replacement.
I've since replaced the balljoints and put in a heavier engine/tranny which makes my alignment way off and am hoping the re-alignment will tighten things up.
I've since replaced the balljoints and put in a heavier engine/tranny which makes my alignment way off and am hoping the re-alignment will tighten things up.
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I got my box from agr performance today. It is tighter, but there is still play. i am almost 100 percent sure there is absolutely no play above the steering, box, everything is turning together right into the box. Tie rods ends are brand new, steering box is brand new, pitman arm is original. Can play come from an old pitman arm? I wouldn't think it could, but maybe the steering box output turns inside the pitman arm? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I don't know what to do.
Post Fiend
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From: Topsfield, MA
Pitman arm is splined - no movement there.
Is the truck properly aligned with good ball joints and wheel bearings?
I wouldn't worry about play in the wheel while stopped - on the move is what's important.
Is the truck properly aligned with good ball joints and wheel bearings?
I wouldn't worry about play in the wheel while stopped - on the move is what's important.
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THe truck needs an alignment, I did it myself with a tape measurer and it's very close to being correct. I have new tires on though, so I will take it in within a few weeks. The ball joints are brand new-8000 miles or so, tie rods have only 500 miles- I replaced the tie rod ends, and the inner tie rods (i guess this is the drag link?) One thing I will try is to take off the steering shaft that connects to the steering box, connect a pair of vice grips, and see if there is play. If it turns witht the vice grips, it is inside or below the box. If it doesn't have play, then I will start replacing pieces in the steering shaft.
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