Steering column help....
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New User
Joined: Jan 2001
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Steering column help....
Hello. I've got a 70 F100, WD, 302 eng, with auto trans and manual steering. The steering is fairly loose. I was wondering what I can do to tighten it up. I've thought about replacing the steering column or even trying rebuilding the column. Is rebuilding it a viable option? Or should I start hunting around the junk yards for replacement column? I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks, Dave
Thanks, Dave
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Steering column help....
Dave You can get parts and rebuild the column. There are several here that can help. I think that SM has rebuilt one.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 161
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Steering column help....
dave-
i'm far from an authority here, and usually have questions instead of answers- but if you're trying to tighten up a loose steering system, i'd start somewhere other than the column.
your column is pretty much just a straight steel shaft- unless the rag joint is worn under your hood, or the grooves where your steering wheel fits on are worn out, there's not much opportunity for any play there.
i'd check all the tie rods for play- have someone spinning the free play in your steering wheel, get under the truck, and see where the linkage stops moving-
also, on the top of your steering gear, there is an adjustment- it's a bolt/locknut. loosen the locknut a little, screw the bolt farther into the gear, and check to see if there's any difference.
good luck-
sam
i'm far from an authority here, and usually have questions instead of answers- but if you're trying to tighten up a loose steering system, i'd start somewhere other than the column.
your column is pretty much just a straight steel shaft- unless the rag joint is worn under your hood, or the grooves where your steering wheel fits on are worn out, there's not much opportunity for any play there.
i'd check all the tie rods for play- have someone spinning the free play in your steering wheel, get under the truck, and see where the linkage stops moving-
also, on the top of your steering gear, there is an adjustment- it's a bolt/locknut. loosen the locknut a little, screw the bolt farther into the gear, and check to see if there's any difference.
good luck-
sam
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Steering column help....
[font color=red size=3]What exactly do you mean by loose?
1. Does it have a lot of play when you are driving (turn wheel and it doesn't turn tires)?
2. Does it wander when you are driving (hard to keep it driving straight)?
3. Or is the steering wheel physically loose on the column, (like the bearings are shot)?
1 and 2 would mean that you have loose joints in the frontend (tierods, worn steering box). Rebuilding the column won't help this. 3 would mean there is something wrong with the column and it needs repaired.
That's the best I can describe it with words.;-)
Marty[/font]
1. Does it have a lot of play when you are driving (turn wheel and it doesn't turn tires)?
2. Does it wander when you are driving (hard to keep it driving straight)?
3. Or is the steering wheel physically loose on the column, (like the bearings are shot)?
1 and 2 would mean that you have loose joints in the frontend (tierods, worn steering box). Rebuilding the column won't help this. 3 would mean there is something wrong with the column and it needs repaired.
That's the best I can describe it with words.;-)
Marty[/font]
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Steering column help....
Sam,
Thanks for your help. I checked the tie rods and if rod connecting the center link and the gearbox moved, then everything down to the wheels moved. I assume that is good. I then fiddled with the adjustment on the gearbox and that tightened up the play a lot.
I still have a question on the actual column itself. The shift collar doesn't want to sit nicely on the column. I have to push hard it down to get everything including the steering wheel to fit. Because of these, I'm occasionally tightening the steering wheel nut to make sure that the wheel doesn't pop off. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
Dave
Thanks for your help. I checked the tie rods and if rod connecting the center link and the gearbox moved, then everything down to the wheels moved. I assume that is good. I then fiddled with the adjustment on the gearbox and that tightened up the play a lot.
I still have a question on the actual column itself. The shift collar doesn't want to sit nicely on the column. I have to push hard it down to get everything including the steering wheel to fit. Because of these, I'm occasionally tightening the steering wheel nut to make sure that the wheel doesn't pop off. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
Dave
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Steering column help....
The column is spring loaded and pushing down on the steering wheel is necessary to start the nut. With the nut tight 20 ft lbs you should have no movement other than rotational. If the shift collar still doesn't fit nicely (gap) you may be able to adjust that. Some columns have an adjustment on the bottom at the rag joint, others don't. If you don't have an adjustment and still have a gap or movement by pulling up and pushing down on the steering wheel replace the lower bearing. Hell replace the lower bearing any time you have the column out or at least grease it (white lithium). These bearings are cheap and there are piles of them in junk yards. 61-79 all fit and the upper and lower bearing are the same.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 161
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Steering column help....
william-
i've got a box of brand new bearings...got them from the local ford dealer. think they come 4 to a pack.
there's an older gentleman who works at the dealership in town...he knows everything about the old trucks. i dread the day when he retires-
i've got a box of brand new bearings...got them from the local ford dealer. think they come 4 to a pack.
there's an older gentleman who works at the dealership in town...he knows everything about the old trucks. i dread the day when he retires-
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 50
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From: Montgomery USA
Steering column help....
I had that problem with the '71 F-100 that I just purchased and after hours of trying to figure out what in the world was causing it to swerve all over the road I found that the King Pins were worn severely and the rag was worn almost in two... after changing those and putting new tires all the way around it drives like a new truck, nice and tight....
Just my 2 cents,
SB2371
Just my 2 cents,
SB2371
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