Steering Gremlins
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Steering Gremlins
Thats what we are here for. Get that filter installed as insurance.
It is good that the donor wasn't wrecked at any time. My truck had been hit on the right front while parked once. That accident is why I know about the steering shaft and insurance company problem. keep it in mind if you or a friend gets bumped, it could save you a bundle in the long run.
Keep it in between the lines!
It is good that the donor wasn't wrecked at any time. My truck had been hit on the right front while parked once. That accident is why I know about the steering shaft and insurance company problem. keep it in mind if you or a friend gets bumped, it could save you a bundle in the long run.
Keep it in between the lines!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
Steering Gremlins
The rebuild kit is just a seal kit. How would you go about doing a needle bearing upgrade? All the gearboxes that I have had apart use the cast iron of the housing as the bearing for the output shaft. This probably does increase the friction when the wheel tries to return to center. Be aware that to replace the input shaft seal, a special tool is needed to remove and replace the worm bearing race nut. It is a wrench with notches to fit the nut. The other end has a socket for a torque wrench. The nut must be torqued correctly. I could not find this tool even at Ford so I made my own. 
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Steering Gremlins
Ahhh, a fellow tool maker! 
I don't know about your unit but another one I saw out of a 79 had bronze bushings and I have heard of needle bearings being installed on aftermarket units. These modifications would have to be performed by a machine shop.
I don't know about your unit but another one I saw out of a 79 had bronze bushings and I have heard of needle bearings being installed on aftermarket units. These modifications would have to be performed by a machine shop.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Steering Gremlins
Ok so here's a good one. Granted my fluid is still turning black, but my gearbox isn't toast yet. I don't know how, but a good sized chunk of my pass side inner fender was bent toward the wheel, interfering with the steering everytime I turned right. Put it back in place, and the steering is good again.
AW
AW
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Steering Gremlins
Sounds like you may still have time:-)
Flush out the system as good as you can, put that $16 filter on it, and replace the pump (hopefully the last time). Remember to change the filter in a month.
Good Luck!
btw- How did the inner fender get bent?
Flush out the system as good as you can, put that $16 filter on it, and replace the pump (hopefully the last time). Remember to change the filter in a month.
Good Luck!
btw- How did the inner fender get bent?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Steering Gremlins
Torque1st... I have time, don't think I have a whole lot though. The pump isn't working much at all at idle. Hopefully it can make it a few more weeks (don't drive it every day) and I can afford a new gearbox and just replace it all.
Thanks
AW
Thanks
AW
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Steering Gremlins
I don't have the slightest idea how it got bent, especially as much as it did. It was atleast perpendicular to the rest of the panel. I just replaced the body mounts, so there shouldn't be much flex in the body relative to the frame. Im stumped. If it happens again, Ill worry
AW
AW
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