It seems as though the truck has a bit of wander to her these days.

I'd like it to go away.

I jacked up the truck's front end one side at a time, grabbed the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and gave her some wiggle.

Nothing moved, same as when at 12 and 6 o'clock. The steering parts seems to be OK, I don't know how else to check it.

I open the hood, grab the steering shaft right near where it terminates into the steering box and rotate back and forth.

I can rotate the steering shaft maybe a good 1/2" left to right, poossibly a little less, but much more than I thought I should.

Is it time to replace the box after all the years of 33" tires? Is there any other troubleshooting I can do?

She tracks well down the road for the most part, it just appears that there is play back and forth and you are constantly adjusting while you drive that little bit.

How can you troubleshoot the tierod ends and ball joints to see if they are OK?

She has new shocks and stabilizer. Lots of the front bushing were replaced by the P.O. if it helps.

Thanks for any input or advise,
Blair

 

Inspections of Worn Parts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prechecks for your alignment.

Inspect the pivot point on the Independent front suspension ( IFS ) for play or worn parts.
Inspect the brackets and bolts above the pivot point on the Independent front suspension ( IFS ) for play or worn parts.
Inspect for worn parts or play, any of the following:
Inspect the tie rod ends.
Check radius arm bushings for wear or crack.
Check gear coupling assembly (aka rag joint) on the steering column rod for play.
Check the shaft and joint assembly on the steering column rod for play.
Check for play the drag link.
Inspect the front wheel. (the front wheel bearings for play)
Inspect the ball joint for wear.
Let us know what you found?

have some one turn the steering wheel from side to side, and visual inspect the tie rod ends and other steering component part while steering wheel is moved side to side. This is a good way of to visualize any worn parts for play.

-Buck-

 

I'm looking at this today after work if any experienced guys want to check back.

Just bumping the thread itself here.

As always,

Thanks,
Blair

 

Before you start take to car wash and clean the power steering gear box, frame and front end steering and axle.

This check will check wheel bearing play, seems wheel bearings play checked out.

1/2" is excessive play. Was the play at the steering gear box? If the play is at the box and none of the seals on the steering gear box are leaking, try adjusting sector shaft adjusting screw. If steering (play) is bad, go 1/8 rotation turn on sector shaft screw, first loosen the nut at the base while holding the sector shaft adjusting screw, then tighten the 1/8 rotation turn. When play is almost gone from steering then tighten the nut while holding the screw from turning. Do not overadjust the sector shaft adjusting screw or damage will result to the internal of steering box, most of the time it permanent damage.

If swapping new steering gear box,
Tools needed: tie rod end remover, pitman arm remover, and standard wrenches and socket.
First loosen the big nut on the lower sector shaft below the pitman arm. I think it's 1 1/4 inch or 1 5/16" or can use a very big crescent wrench. Give the wrench a whack with a hammer to break the nut loose. Then loosen the rag joint bolts at the steering shaft at the steering gear box (might consider replacing the flexible couping, aka rag joint). Using a drain pan, loosen the power steering lines from steering gear box, drain power steering fluid in drain pan. The loosen the three bolts on frame holding the steering gear box, while supporting the weight of box when removing the last bolts.

If seals are leaking and excessive steering play at the steering box, yes, it is time to replace.

Tracking well down the road is a good , but still inspect all steering related parts for wear.

From under the truck inspect the tie rods and track arms bushings. Have some one turn the steering wheel about 1/2 rotation left then 1/2 rotation right, while inpecting those parts for play. Ball joint inspections, Raise the front tires off the air, and place floor jacks to support the vehicle weight. With a pry bar, place between axle housing and spindle and pry, inpect for play and wear. Inspect the dust covers on both tie rods and ball joints, if the rubber is missing or cracked, most like those parts have had water in sand in them and will have wear.

 

Try out these when power steering bleeding.
I like using Type F transmission fluid on the flushing and bleeding process.
Might need to call around and check who carries Type F.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...796&postcount=2
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...52&postcount=10
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...d=94741&width=0
add-a-filter https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...458&postcount=3
-Buck-

 

Thanks for the info Buck.

I ended up getting her in the air and on jackstands and ended up having to bail for family activities.

Hope to get to her one night after the kids practice this week.

One thing to mention after reading your response, the play is right at the box, and it leaks pretty good.

I'm going to check everything, but I think that in the end I'm going to find out my problem is a worn out steering box.

My seals on the joints appear to be in good shape and have been well greased for their lives. Have to check for some play in the balljoints and tieords though for good measure.

Thanks again for the help,
Blair

 

I like using these to remove the tie rod end.
Tie rod end remover http://www.toolking.com/productinfo....productid=2212
pit man arm remover http://www.toolking.com/productinfo....productid=1247