Steering assembly is loose!

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May 15, 2002 | 08:24 PM

feyue

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Joined: May 2002

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From: North Brunswick USA

Steering assembly is loose!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-May-02 AT 10:08 PM (EST)]I have a '72 F100 with a very loose steering assembly. When driving, there is probably at least 5-10 degrees of play before I feel resistance when turning. I know that the rubber bushings/grommets (what are they called?) on my tie rods/link assembly are compressed and cracked. I should probably replace them, but dont know where to get the parts. I should note that I have power steering and a 2WD setup.

In addition, I am wondering what else I can do to tighten up my steering. I have a Haynes manual that talks about adjusting my steering gear. Is that hard to do? Anything else I should look at?

Update: I looked a tiny bit more and noticed that I can turn the coupling assembly about the distance of loosness with my hand with little force without the pitman arm moving.

Thanks!!

May 15, 2002 | 09:47 PM

Mike W

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Central Kali

Steering assembly is loose!

Hi Frank; Check the steering shaft to gear box coupling. The flex coupling is a major cause of sloppy steering. One way to check the different linkage parts is to jack up the front of the truck. Have someone very slowly turn the wheel. watch or put your hand (be careful)on the steering linkage starting with the pitman arm. Watch for any play as the steering wheel is moved. If perfect, motion in the steering wheel will move the spindle without any slop. The steering box needs to have the pitman arm dis-connected to be correctly adjusted. The worm bearing pre-load needs to be checked before the worm and roller mesh is adjusted. Any good parts store can obtain any parts you need.

May 16, 2002 | 12:22 AM

buzzard

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Joined: Oct 2000

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From: All over Texas

Steering assembly is loose!

Frank, I had replaced the coupling, center link and tie rods, kingpins, axle pivot bushings, and radius arm bushings on my '68. I finally achieved the steering feel I wanted with the very last (and most expensive) component, replacement of the steering gear itself. All of the parts were available at my local O'Reilly.

If all of your steering components are original, I'd highly recommend replacing all the aforementioned items, with the possible exception of the steering gear.

May 17, 2002 | 03:46 PM

feyue

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From: North Brunswick USA

Steering assembly is loose!

From this conversation, and from what I have found in the archives, it looks like that I have so much play that it is not worth it to try to adjust my steering box. Instead I should go ahead and replace it. Does that sound about right?

May 17, 2002 | 09:45 PM

buzzard

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Joined: Oct 2000

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From: All over Texas

Steering assembly is loose!

Fortunately, you most likely have the "Ford" PS gearbox which is about $150 less than the Bendix box that I have in mine. You ought to change all other items and do the box last if you are still not satisfied.

May 21, 2002 | 10:42 PM

feyue

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Joined: May 2002

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From: North Brunswick USA

Steering assembly is loose!

Can someone direct me to a part number for the rubber cushions/bushings/washers that are in the tie rod assembly? There is a rubber at most of the major ball/elbow joints in the steering assembly.. Almost every one of mine are compressed, worn and/or about to fall off. I have looked around and asked my local Pep Boys, but the person behind the counter was less than helpful and my search at Summit Racing turned up no kits that did not have the entire assembly.