excessive play in steering wheel?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
excessive play in steering wheel?
Is there an adjustment to take the play out of the steering wheel. I have aprox 3-4 inches of travel before the tires will engage/turn. I'm not sure if it would be a steering box or steering column problem. Any suggestions welcome.
thanks
thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
Likes: 35
From: Central Oregon
Check the tie rod ends, drag link and where the pitman arm hooks on. I'm not sure on the old trucks, your profile says 64 truck, but on the newer ones there is a ajustment on top of the steering box, it will tighten the gears togather but be careful of tightening to much and wear the gears down. Check the front end first, have someone turn the steering wheel slowly back and forth while you watch the movement of the front end parts to see if or where the worn parts are.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20,784
Likes: 226
From: Newton America :-P
Originally Posted by garbz2
NO! the adjustments are for preloading of the gears. it will seem to take up slack but just masks the worn parts. The box requires a compent rebuilder.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
This is on a 64 f-100. The play in the steering is like there is no resistance for those few inches then it engages. I believe the play is located in the steering column or steering box. I will check the other components as suggested though and check for wear, etc...
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Fuquay Varina, NC
The steering box sector shaft adjuster screw does set the worm bearing preloading, but it is a serviceable item. In the factory shop manual they describe the adjustment with a inch-pound torque wrench that measures the load. In my '66 shop manual it states that there should be no more thant .002" clearance at bottom of sector shaft T-slot. Total Preload is 9-10 in-lb which is amount of force required to rotate input shaft and worm assembly past the center high point. Thus there can be some play that develops in there after 30+ years of service and it should be readjusted. That said, caution - as stated you can and a number of people have ruined their steerbox by over tightening this adjusting screw. Other posts have described various methods of doing it without the proper tools - use at your own risk!
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 41
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From: Longtucky, CO
So if your going to adjust the play with the top screw on the steering box-make sure you take the weight off the wheels prior to adjusting it. I've seen posts elsewhere on the site that can take you through the steps-and many that caution against it. They say once you start fiddling witht the screw adjuster-your heading down the road to a re-build. Good luck
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Little Falls,New York
you may also check the steering shaft for play.I'm not sure what type of shaft is in your truck, butit most likely has a u-joint in it.If its shot you'll get a fair amount of play ,conjoined w/other worn out parts you'll get slop.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 434
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From: Little Falls,New York
you may also check the steering shaft for play.I'm not sure what type of shaft is in your truck, butit most likely has a u-joint in it.If its shot you'll get a fair amount of play ,conjoined w/other worn out parts you'll get slop.
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