Do they all steer like this?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 285
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From: In a small Canadian town
Do they all steer like this?
My 79 steers good, well too good if anything. I turn the wheel and the tires move right a long whith it as they should but from inside the steering whel has no feel. I mean like in most vehicles you feel a little resistance when you turn the wheel, and everything is tight, but in mine you dont feel it it feels loose. Now I would think I would feel it a bit with 35'' tires but nope. This isn't a problem around my shop but it proves very difficult to drive in a straight line on the road.
My question is are they all like this? Do I just have to get used to it? OR is there something wrong that I need to fix?
Thanks,
Bob
My question is are they all like this? Do I just have to get used to it? OR is there something wrong that I need to fix?
Thanks,
Bob
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,327
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From: Kingsport, TN
Some Fords had full power steering, most have power assist. My '64 Galaxie wagon had full power and it was too sensative for me. I tightened up the steering box slightly. Before that I could spin the wheel and it would spin 1/2 a turn on momentum. That was fun if playing on hard sand or ice but not too good on the interstate. Not familiar with that model but you should be able to tighten it up a bit. A wrench and screwdriver is needed on the gears at the bottom of the column.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 134
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From: North Carolina
Every Ford of this vintage that I've ever driven was this way. My '78 is like this as well, took me some time to get used to it too. As long as it doesn't wander too much, I'd say it's normal.
I wouldn't suggest trying to adjust the gearbox for this. I've heard several people on here say that it's very easy to get it wrong and cause the steering to bind when turning and also cause excessive wear to the gearbox.
I wouldn't suggest trying to adjust the gearbox for this. I've heard several people on here say that it's very easy to get it wrong and cause the steering to bind when turning and also cause excessive wear to the gearbox.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
Yes, the old 1973 did this, and it had manual steering.
It did it in a rythem too. Two pulses on the wheel to the left, and one pulse on the wheel to the right, in a regular clockwork pattern, and she would steer in a straight line.
That truck had over 700,000 miles on it too, so that might be a factor too.
It did it in a rythem too. Two pulses on the wheel to the left, and one pulse on the wheel to the right, in a regular clockwork pattern, and she would steer in a straight line.
That truck had over 700,000 miles on it too, so that might be a factor too.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 295
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From: Collierville
I just replaced everthing in the front and back that I could think of replacing. The only thing left out is the steering box. The truck goes down the road great but I know what you mean. There is no feedback through the wheel. I replaced my steering wheel with a late model wheel what is about 2" in diameter smaller, looking for more steering resistance. It is better now but I think that the power steering is just too strong to allow any feedback to the driver so the truck seems to dart. I had someone drive the truck that thought they should know how the truck should drive and he said he thought it was normal.
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From: Murray
I have to agree with what everyone else is saying, its pretty much normal for these trucks as far as Ive been able to tell. I've done just about everything to try and tighten it up like a new rag joint, smaller wheel, and toying with the steering all to little or no avail. So long story short yeah I guess you have to get used to it, but if you find a fix that works let us know.
-Chris
-Chris
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Originally Posted by 73f350sc
I have to agree with what everyone else is saying, its pretty much normal for these trucks as far as Ive been able to tell. I've done just about everything to try and tighten it up like a new rag joint, smaller wheel, and toying with the steering all to little or no avail. So long story short yeah I guess you have to get used to it, but if you find a fix that works let us know.
-Chris
-Chris
Does the shaft immediatly twist or does it first move to the side -then- twist?
Do yourself a favor and double check that. :) That was where my worst play was because I'd done everything else. Also seems to me loose king pins aren't easy to detect. If they've been in there for years and you're working on your steering just figure on replacing them. IMO
Once upon a time I bought a twin I beam from the junk yard complete with the knuckle since it was all the same price. I figured well I'll replace the king pin and bushings while I got it apart since it won't be as good as mine, since mine was only in there a few years... Guess what? ;)
Pretty hard to detect good ones from bad ones, I now say. :)
Took quite a bit of fiddlin around to concince me the junk yard ones were better than my "new" ones.
Alvin in AZ
ps- a gal with no brakes ran into me, I now got a friggin chinese fender on the driver's side and want to get one worth painting... Dennis Carpenter?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Honkytonkville
all of mine are that way....even my newer ones. After time I've learned to chase and can keep it going pretty straight. I think this was Ford's wayof keeping us Ford boys awake behind the wheel 
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Oh man. :/
My '75 ain't that way anymore! :/
Just depends on what you want and/or will put up with? :)
Mine steers and drives better now, than when it was new.
And I ain't kiddin neither. :)
Alvin in AZ
My '75 ain't that way anymore! :/
Just depends on what you want and/or will put up with? :)
Mine steers and drives better now, than when it was new.
And I ain't kiddin neither. :)
Alvin in AZ
