350 steering??
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350 steering??
hey guys, 1998 F-350 drives like my old tractor. the steering wheel has a few inches of play in it before the wheels actually begin to turn. i didn't know if this is just an adjustment in the column or the steering box. any ideas, thanks
Last edited by IB Tim; Jun 21, 2006 at 07:10 PM.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 453
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From: Montana
My '00 F350 does the same thing. I orginally thought it was the 33's that where on it when I bought it but put some 265's back on it and its not as bad but still doing it. Next I need to get the time to jack it up and check tie rod ends and ball joints and if those are good start looking at steering components. Hope somebody else has a better idea so I don't have an excuse to sit in the garage and drink beer all weekend 
the wife gets really pissed when I do that.
the wife gets really pissed when I do that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Elkhorn, WI
i had the same problem as you on my 2000 psd. heres a link on how to adjust your steering box and tighten up the steering play
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ering+problems
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ering+problems
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thanks
yeah, i've done some research. seems like the fist think to check would be tie rod ends. a friend tells me that the best way to do that is turn the key to the almost on position and jerk the wheel around...that should put enough pressure on things for someone underneath to see whats loose. if nothings loose then its going to be the gearbox. i guess you could look at the steering shaft and if it turns before the wheels do, theres your problem. that's my plan of attack next time i'm at my uncle's (his truck...wanted me to fix). thanks for the input guys.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Hi. I had a similar situation on my 2000 F350 PSD - truck would wander and there was excessive play. I finally tracked it down to the tierod ends on the draglink (link from pitman arm to right side) which were worn out. Found it by having wife turn wheel while I was underneath - real obvious! Replaced link complete (both ends & clamp). Next step was to carefully adjust steering gear - I did say "carefully"! By taking my time and making small adjustments I was able to get it spot-on. Steering is now very positive with good road feel. BTW: I did remove steering damper, raise front wheels off ground and test turn wheel with engine off. This was to ensure steering gear lash did not become too tight - kinda hard on the box. Good luck!
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 331
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From: St. Louis, MO
Yep, jack it up so both front tires are off the ground & have someone jiggle the wheel back & forth. Do it yourself some too so you get a sense for how much travel it takes at the wheel to turn the tires. It is usually less without a load.
Shake the tires hard to check for play in ball joints, watch every piece of steering linkage starting at the pitman arm, follow across the drag link & both ends of the tie rod. Loose or worn track bars (panhard rod) can be guilty of inches of play as well, especially if the axle moves sideeways before the steering turns the wheels.
Tightening the box is a last resort. Once you start, you're slowly wearing it faster. You will have to keep tightening occasionally until it wears out. Tightening the box is not hard to do, just hard to get to.
Shake the tires hard to check for play in ball joints, watch every piece of steering linkage starting at the pitman arm, follow across the drag link & both ends of the tie rod. Loose or worn track bars (panhard rod) can be guilty of inches of play as well, especially if the axle moves sideeways before the steering turns the wheels.
Tightening the box is a last resort. Once you start, you're slowly wearing it faster. You will have to keep tightening occasionally until it wears out. Tightening the box is not hard to do, just hard to get to.
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