How about this then
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New User
Joined: Aug 2001
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How about this then
Well here we go again....I have a 70 F100 XLT with a few steering problems....You know in the old movies when someone is driving a car and it seem they are going straight on a road but they are taking the steering wheel every which way and they should be taking out every fence and cow in the neighborhood but they are not...well my steering is kinda like that. Its not as bad as that but still can be annoying at times. I have gotten under the truck and had someone turn the wheel while i watch the pitman arm and there is some delay before the arm moves. Took the truck down to the shop to have brakes worked on and the guy told me that the pitman arm and sway bar needed replacing. I have looked at the sway bar and sure it probably does need replacing but the pitman arm...i dont know. Since the arm does not move for a little after the steering wheel is moved it makes me think that the steering box needs the work. I have adjusted the screw on the steering box till the steering tightend up some but i dont want to take it too far and make my power steering feel like non power steering. But if it is the pitman arm and sway bar that cause me to adjust steering while im driving will another pitman arm from another year fit a 70. I have looked at other arms in the area and they are all bent on the end while mine has a straight shaft.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
How about this then
The slop you feel between the imput shaft and output shaft of an integral power steering gear is probably normal. Some movement is necessary to shift a valve which directs oil pressure to different sides of the piston inside which gives you the power. To check for slop with power steering, the engine should be running.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 109
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How about this then
I had the same wandering steering you describe on my 69 F100 with power steering. I put in a rebuilt gearbox ($160 plus core from Autozone) and replaced the rag joint ($16) and it steers beautifully now.
ksd
69 F100 Explorer lwb 2wd FE 360 C6. WANTED: straight/clean styleside long box w/aux fuel tank for 67-69 F series.
ksd
69 F100 Explorer lwb 2wd FE 360 C6. WANTED: straight/clean styleside long box w/aux fuel tank for 67-69 F series.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2001
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How about this then
Well first of all you'll have to excuse my ignorance...the rag joint is the flex joint that is in the middle of the steering column?? I'm ok at chasing electrons but when it comes to most of the steering and suspension I'm a blind man riding a bull in a china store. Still a novice to most of mechanics but am learning as i go. Didn't know how much i didn't know till i started surfing the boards here. Appreciate the reply.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
From: Meriden USA
How about this then
You might also wanna check the frame around the bolt holes to see if its cracked if you dont find a problem with the steering box or anything.
Anthony DiPietro
79 F150 Ranger
Anthony DiPietro
79 F150 Ranger
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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How about this then
You are correct. The rag joint is the flexible coupling in the steering shaft above the gearbox. It looks like a piece of old tire. They often wear out on the older trucks and can be the source of a lot of the play in your steering. They're cheap and easy to replace, so I always suggest starting there. If that doesn't fix it, then you need to move on to things like the gearbox, pitman arm, etc.
ksd
69 F100 Explorer lwb 2wd FE 360 C6. WANTED: straight/clean styleside long box w/aux fuel tank for 67-69 F series.
ksd
69 F100 Explorer lwb 2wd FE 360 C6. WANTED: straight/clean styleside long box w/aux fuel tank for 67-69 F series.
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New User
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How about this then
It has been mentioned that the rag joint is easy to replace and find, however, what about the part above the rag joint that it connects to? I have a 67 ford and have been unsucessfull in finding that part. There seems to be a metal fork that a pin rides in the middle of, and my pin and fork are both well worn, I'm afraid that if I just replace the rag joint, my problem will still exist. Any advice?
John
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2001
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How about this then
The upper part your are describing - it's pressed onto the steering shaft, right? The end (forked) kind of looks like a cross section of a doughnut with two bites taken from either side 180 degrees from each other. The pins and "forks" are there for safety in case the rag joint breaks (at least I'm pretty sure that's the case for my '79. They shouldn't come in contact with each other under normal conditions. Their are a number of threads in this forum about rag joint replacement. I did mine a couple of months ago and it didn't make a whole lot of difference to the play in the wheel, but it was noticable. I've been rebuilding my steering/ suspension system as I have time - try replacing the simple things first before getting too involved. The rag joint is a good start as well as checking the radius arm bushings if your truck has them. Don't forget the obvious- like wheel bearings too.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
How about this then
Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth with the motor off while you look at the bottom of the steering box where the pitman arm conects. You shouldn't see any play at all from side to side.
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
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