Steering problems
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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Steering problems
I have recently purchased a 1972 4x4 F100 w/ manual steering. While driving the truck home I found it very difficult to drive. The steering had so much play in it I could turn the steering wheel 180 degrees either way and it didn't effect the way the truck would turn. I'm assuming this is not normal and I was trying to figure out what componets I need to replace. Also if it's the steering box are you able to rebuild them or do you have to buy a new one? Thank you for anyone who could be of some help!!!!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Archer, Fla
Try adjusting the box first. Loosen the nut and turn the adjusting screw to take out any slack, but not so tight it won't let the steering return to the straight position. But if you have 180 degrees of travel, it sounds like a rebuild or replace is in order
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
It could be your box, and, if so, you can buy rebuilt ones at almost any parts house. I replaced one a few years ago and it cost me about $130 through NAPA.
Frankly, the box itself is the least likely to cause you problems. The thing to do is to crawl under the truck and look at the steering arms while someone moves the steering wheel back and forth. Spin the wheel to the right until the tire starts to move, then spin the wheel to the left until the tire starts to move the other direction.
You are looking for something loose, some joint with a lot of play in it. It could be any of your steering ball joints, or even your front wheel bearings. If it has power steering and is a 4 wheel drive, there may be a power assist ram that bolts from the tie rod to some point on the chassis - those bolts may be loose.
If you can not find the problem, I would take it to a shop and have them give you an estimate.
I would not drive it like this - some vital part may fall off and leave you going down the road with no steering control at all!
Frankly, the box itself is the least likely to cause you problems. The thing to do is to crawl under the truck and look at the steering arms while someone moves the steering wheel back and forth. Spin the wheel to the right until the tire starts to move, then spin the wheel to the left until the tire starts to move the other direction.
You are looking for something loose, some joint with a lot of play in it. It could be any of your steering ball joints, or even your front wheel bearings. If it has power steering and is a 4 wheel drive, there may be a power assist ram that bolts from the tie rod to some point on the chassis - those bolts may be loose.
If you can not find the problem, I would take it to a shop and have them give you an estimate.
I would not drive it like this - some vital part may fall off and leave you going down the road with no steering control at all!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 964
Likes: 1
From: Roseburg, OR
Check your track bar bushings. My track bar bushings in combination with sloppy tie rod ends made my truck (same as yours) a real pig.
EDIT: They weren't exactly great handlers from the factory, and if you're running bigger tires, that doesn't help things.
EDIT: They weren't exactly great handlers from the factory, and if you're running bigger tires, that doesn't help things.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Welcome to FTE!
Make sure the u-joint and sliding coupler in the steering shaft are ok first. Get under the hood and grab the steering shaft, and spin it back and forth. Wherever the movement stops is the problem.
Make sure the u-joint and sliding coupler in the steering shaft are ok first. Get under the hood and grab the steering shaft, and spin it back and forth. Wherever the movement stops is the problem.
