Steering play
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 571
Likes: 2
Steering play
Hey all, I'm just about done with the brakes on the '64 F-250, and the next project will be to tighten up the steering. It's got almost a 1/4 turn of play... What causes this, Kingpins? FYI: It's got manual steering.
Thanks!
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Thanks!
-Andrew
f250_64(No Email Addresses In Posts!), same for yahoo messenger
Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the soul, saying I'm a bad **** like lettin'em rip with a window shaking, fuel gulpin, carbon monoxide belchin, attention gettin, V-oh my LORD!-8!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Steering play
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-May-01 AT 11:14 PM (EST)[/font][p]There are so many moving parts under the front end of your truck, determining the location of the play in the steering wheel can be somewhat of a pain to find. But don't dispair..... That is why we are all here.
First thing: Find a helper to turn the wheel for you.
raise the tires off the ground using jackstands under the front axle under the spring pads. Have your helper hold the wheel steady while you rock the drivers side tire left to right. Not too much to move the other tire. Watch the tie rods, drag link, and drag link for signs of slop. This will show you what is loose and needing replaced.
Since you have the front end in the air, rock the tires top to bottom to check your king pin bushings. there should be no play at all.
Lower the truck to the ground and have your helper rotate the steering wheel back and forth, just enough to slightly move the wheels, watch the sector shaft for any delay in movement. This will indicate gearbox play. Some of this play can be adjusted out by turning the adjustment screw inward then retightening the jamb nut. Word of caution, the gearmesh is usually adjusted by many people before you and this step may be of no help. if the adjusting screw goes all the way in and you still have slop, you will need to rebuild/replace the box.
Keep in mind that all of these components work in tandem and a small amount of play between them can add up to a lot of movement at the steering wheel.
Good luck!
Krosati
First thing: Find a helper to turn the wheel for you.
raise the tires off the ground using jackstands under the front axle under the spring pads. Have your helper hold the wheel steady while you rock the drivers side tire left to right. Not too much to move the other tire. Watch the tie rods, drag link, and drag link for signs of slop. This will show you what is loose and needing replaced.
Since you have the front end in the air, rock the tires top to bottom to check your king pin bushings. there should be no play at all.
Lower the truck to the ground and have your helper rotate the steering wheel back and forth, just enough to slightly move the wheels, watch the sector shaft for any delay in movement. This will indicate gearbox play. Some of this play can be adjusted out by turning the adjustment screw inward then retightening the jamb nut. Word of caution, the gearmesh is usually adjusted by many people before you and this step may be of no help. if the adjusting screw goes all the way in and you still have slop, you will need to rebuild/replace the box.
Keep in mind that all of these components work in tandem and a small amount of play between them can add up to a lot of movement at the steering wheel.
Good luck!
Krosati
