Steering Gear rebuild
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Senior User
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From: PA
Steering Gear rebuild
95 F-150 160k
The steering gear has a good amount of play in it, and if I reach down in the engine bay and turn the shaft, the wheel moves several inches without putting any force on the pitman arm. It also has some leakage at the pitman arm. I believe both of those symptoms would be fixed with a steering gear rebuild.
Looking thru the FSM, it looks like a it's not hard to disassemble and reassemble. Since I priced a few rebuilt units at $300, DIY seems attractive.
My questions:
1) Is this a reasonable DIY job? Any chance my unit won't be rebuildable?
2) If I shouldn't rebuild it myself, where should I get another unit? Are these pretty straightforward, or are they like so many other reman components, where cheap = junk?
Tips and advice greatly appreciated.
Dave
The steering gear has a good amount of play in it, and if I reach down in the engine bay and turn the shaft, the wheel moves several inches without putting any force on the pitman arm. It also has some leakage at the pitman arm. I believe both of those symptoms would be fixed with a steering gear rebuild.
Looking thru the FSM, it looks like a it's not hard to disassemble and reassemble. Since I priced a few rebuilt units at $300, DIY seems attractive.
My questions:
1) Is this a reasonable DIY job? Any chance my unit won't be rebuildable?
2) If I shouldn't rebuild it myself, where should I get another unit? Are these pretty straightforward, or are they like so many other reman components, where cheap = junk?
Tips and advice greatly appreciated.
Dave
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 559
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From: South Carolina
This is not really a DIY project, as there is lots of potential to get it "not quite right" I'd just get a reman unit. While E-bay has them cheap, if you can find an AC Delco supplier they have excellent quality reman stuff. I don't buy starters or alternators from the chain stores anymore. I know, the GM connection is revolting...but you'll get over it when you don't have to turn in a lifetime warrantied piece of crap 3 times!
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From: PA
Thanks for the response.
While I am somewhat concerned with the 'not quite right' factor, I see the worst-case scenario being loss of my time and a $35 rebuild kit.
I see Rock Auto has the AC Delco units. GM supply is a non-issue for me.
I guess what I'm wondering is that if I buy that kit, will that be enough? Or might I need to buy a new housing or something? I don't really see why changing some seals and o-rings will solve the play, which seems to be mechanical/wear in nature.
While I am somewhat concerned with the 'not quite right' factor, I see the worst-case scenario being loss of my time and a $35 rebuild kit.
I see Rock Auto has the AC Delco units. GM supply is a non-issue for me.
I guess what I'm wondering is that if I buy that kit, will that be enough? Or might I need to buy a new housing or something? I don't really see why changing some seals and o-rings will solve the play, which seems to be mechanical/wear in nature.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 559
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From: South Carolina
I was thinking of worst case being the gear locking up while driving down the road because the bearing preload is wrong! 
The Ford gear is a Saginaw recirculating ball design, and there are a lot of parts in there to wear out. For the economy of scale, it might be less expensive and risky to get a reman unit. I found an article that describes the workings of this unit: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf10230.htm
The Ford gear is a Saginaw recirculating ball design, and there are a lot of parts in there to wear out. For the economy of scale, it might be less expensive and risky to get a reman unit. I found an article that describes the workings of this unit: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf10230.htm
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Senior User
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From: PA
I got the AC Delco unit and installed it. $205 from Rock Auto, very fast shipping, $85 core charge.
First, what a difference. There was a lot of play in the old unit - I could turn the shaft/wheel from inside the engine bay without moving the pitman arm at all. Now the steering is nice and tight.
Second, if you're not in an area where it's easy to get parts, consider buying new pressure and return lines. Mine were very difficult to loosen from the gear.
Dave
First, what a difference. There was a lot of play in the old unit - I could turn the shaft/wheel from inside the engine bay without moving the pitman arm at all. Now the steering is nice and tight.
Second, if you're not in an area where it's easy to get parts, consider buying new pressure and return lines. Mine were very difficult to loosen from the gear.
Dave
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