Steering Wheel Play
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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Steering Wheel Play
I Have a F350 PSD with 97k miles and the Steering wheel has a lot of side to side play. I know that it will have some play do to the fact that it has 97k on it. Would like to know how to lessen the play, Changed out the steering shock, had the ball joints checked said that there ok. Any help would be nice thanks to all. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
have you checked all of the ball joints on both ends of the drag link, and both ends of the tie rod? there may be some play in them, most likely needing to replace one end of the part. do you have any suspension modifications or larger tires?
i have lots of steering wheel play, if i lightly hold the steering wheel it will jerk out of my hands hitting small bumps or going around curves. it is a handful (pun intended
) to keep it within the white and yellow lines. im investing in a dual steering stabilizer system for when i get 35's.
i have lots of steering wheel play, if i lightly hold the steering wheel it will jerk out of my hands hitting small bumps or going around curves. it is a handful (pun intended
) to keep it within the white and yellow lines. im investing in a dual steering stabilizer system for when i get 35's.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
There is a very easy to access adjustment on the steering gear box. Involves an allen wrench and some damn size metric box wrench. Just don't go too tight with it as it makes the wheel way too sensitive.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
The gear box is very easy to get to. It is accessed from under to hood. If you have a 4 X 4 you will probably need a little step stool. It is self explanatory. My camera is too high a resolution to post an attachment and the owners manuel is in North Carolina and I am still in Alaska. There is a way to turn the resolution down, but I don't remember how...So sorry about no photo from me.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: 21791
email the picture to me at my FTE username @hotmail.com (strokin_it7.3)
ill resize it and then post it up.
ill resize it and then post it up.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,497
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From: Central, Al
On top of the steering box there is a 15mm (i believe) lock nut with a hex head inside it. Tighten this hex head up and relock the 15mm. this adjust the gear mesh clearence.
Tighten the heax head no more than about 1/4 turn at a time and test drive after adjusting. To tight and the wheel wont return to center. I'll see if I can get some pics in my gallery as soon as it stops raining.
Tighten the heax head no more than about 1/4 turn at a time and test drive after adjusting. To tight and the wheel wont return to center. I'll see if I can get some pics in my gallery as soon as it stops raining.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,497
Likes: 7
From: Central, Al
Sorry bout the bad pic the lens keeps fogging up its so humid here.
If you can see the black spot in the center it is a lock nut with a threaded hex bolt through it. Tightning the hex bolt narrows the gear mesh clearence "tightening" the stearing.
** TO TIGHT AND THE STEARING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER **
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
I believe that is called the sector shaft adjustment. Be very careful with that. As posted previously, that can jam up the steering box when you least expect it. Been there done that, luckily it wasn't on a public road.
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Freshman User
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I did a 1/4 turn and left it there I thought about going a littel more but was just to scared to so i left it there and drove it for the day and i like it where it is sorry if this did not help thanks 