Ok, I have two problems that might or might not be related.

Problem #1 – The steering column is toast. I have lots of play and now it is starting to “click” when I turn the wheel. Also, the tilt feature is dead. If I set the wheel at the normal angle, I can move it with my finger to the lowest setting.

History: When I first bought the truck the tilt was already jacked. Also, I had the steering box replaced on advice of the owner. The wheel still had play, but within reason for an old truck. Only as of recently has the steering gotten worse.

Question 1: Would replacing the column be the end of my problems? Should I replace anything else? I went to a junk yard on the weekend to price a steering column. Junk Dude looked at my truck and chuckled then told me $250.00 USD. Is this right or is he just jealous that he doesn’t have a real truck?

Problem #2 – I get occasional vibrations from under the driver’s side floor board. The truck shakes when I start it and sometimes when I put it in reverse. It sounds like something is loose – kind of a plop plop plop plop. I searched the forums but only found problems with vibration during driving.

History: I had a 3’ body lift installed 2 months ago so I could fit 35’s. As soon as the lift was installed I noticed a constant vibration. Took the truck back and had them look at the install but they said everything was fine. A week later I asked the guys installing my new exhaust (Headman full length headers to 2.5’ pipes to dual Flowmaster 70 series) to try to find the vibration, but they told me that every thing was tight. After the exuast guys looked at my truck, things seamed to get better. Before I took it to them I had a constant shake now it is only when I start it and sometimes when I put it in reverse. I have tugged on a bunch of stuff, but every thing looks cool to me.

Question 2: Could this be related to the steering issue I am having?


I know this is kind of wordy, but I want to provide as much info up front as possible.



FTE IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!

 

Is the play in your wheel the up/down , side to side variety or do you turn the wheel 1/4 turn before you affect the direction of the truck?

$250.00 seems pretty steep for a tilt column but, maybe that's what they're getting nowadays.

As for the vibrations: Have you checked your motor mounts or trans mounts? They could produce symtoms like you have described.

Good luck.

 

The play or slack is side to side. Before the wheel would turn maybe about 4-5 degrees before it responded. Now the steering wheel clicks 2 or 3 times before it responds. Once I am past the sloppy part, the steering responds normally. Should I still drive this monster with this suspect steering? Check that – I already know the answer. -NO-

 

There are guys on this site with alot more experience with Ford tilt-wheels than me so, hopefully, one will step up and correct me if I'm wrong here.

The clicking you're hearing could be the shaft bearing in the column or the u-joint (for lack of a better term) could be worn out. From what you describe, that seems like alot of play for it to be in the column. How's the rest of your steering components?

 

Well the steering gear box was replaced about 2 years ago when bought the truck. Linkage and other components all look good to me. If it is just the shaft bearing, could the tilt feature be fixed so I do not have to replace the whole thing?

 

How complicated is it to change the U-joint? Is this something that I can handle my self with a repair manual?

 

If you are sure that all of your play is in the steering column, I would replace the whole column and be done with it. I'm sure you would be able to rebuild your column but, you have to look at what your time is worth also.

 

What's the condition of the rubber/fabric flex joint between bottom of column and steering box? Mine was bad and was the cause of about 90% of the play. I found several complete tilt columns at u-pull yards here in N.W. FL priced under $100 a few years back.

 

Could a bad rubber/fabric flex joint be the cause of the occasional vibrations?

I was under the truck again last night inspecting motor mounts/trans mounts/transfer case and a bunch of other things but still could not find anything loose.

Could it be as simple as a loose part of the firewall?

Remember, when I am driving down the street or on the freeway the truck is solid. The only time I notice anything is when starting or moving in reverse.



BTW: Thanks for all of your help so far!!

 

I've tore my tilt apart more than once. Check the allen screws/bolts that hold the tilt to the column. To do this, stand on your head and under the dash so you can look at the back of the column were it goes into the steering wheel. There are three of them and the only main thing I have learned is to make sure the head end of those jokers are seated into the column really well before you tighten them down else you will, trust me, break a piece off of the inner tube and have to take the whole thing apart and weld it back together, like I did.
Hope this helps but to be honest, I'm in the process of changing mine out. I have a donor truck, no tilt, but, if I can just have park, drive and reverse I would be happy. My tilt is so bad that I can't get park but all the rest. I'm tired of dragging a chauk block around and I figure that if I use the wiring from mine in the column from the donor I'll still be able to have my cruise control, just no tilt.

 

Well said.

I have missed a few chances to go wheelin with my buddies so far because of this !@$@#% problem. They want me to go so the Monster with the 460 cui of muscle can pull them out of the ugly. I will start searching the junk yards this weekend. Does anyone know what I should be paying? I do not think $250.00 is a reasonable price for a used part that might or might not work.