introduction/steering question
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23
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From: Norfolk, VA
introduction/steering question
hey everyone. i'm dan. i just joined the ford truck club today. my quest for the $500 runner ended today with a '78 f-150 with a 302, c4, and inspection 'til may for $350. not bad, eh? it's got a few issues of course. a bit of rust, bad interior, needs a battery, and some steering issues. could be more, after all it was dark when i looked at it, but all i wanted was a beater anyway. still, you should hear that 302 bark through the dual exhausts! and dig the electric fuel pump on/off toggle switch on the dash hahaha. the only thing i might need some help on is the steering, since i'm not really familiar with ford trucks. the steering wheel is at a funny angle, and it's a bit loose. and when you drive down the road, it's real squirrely. jerks to either side suddenly and won't track straight. i only got it up to about 40/45mph since it doesn't have tags and i couldn't take it on the highway without getting pulled over. any idea what might be causing this steering problem? i'm thinking worn out bushings or bad tie-rod ends are to blame, but i'm not sure.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,254
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From: Murray
Welcome,
Your steering woes are nothing new to anyone here. Its just another thing that makes these old trucks so fun to drive haha. As for the steering wheel itself that isnt normal and you should look into gettin that fixed.. could be something simple like a new rag joint.
-Chris
Your steering woes are nothing new to anyone here. Its just another thing that makes these old trucks so fun to drive haha. As for the steering wheel itself that isnt normal and you should look into gettin that fixed.. could be something simple like a new rag joint.
-Chris
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23
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From: Norfolk, VA
thanks for the reply. i think this is a bit more than just normal touchy steering, though. it's not just touchy the way an old jeep is. it really just suddenly jerks to the the side for no reason.
looking forward to going down to the pick-a-part for goodies.
looking forward to going down to the pick-a-part for goodies.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 94
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From: Ventura, CA
Probably need new radius arm bushings. I would go through the front end and steering and check for play and worn out parts and start replacing. You'll probably need a new rag joint and more than likely the steering box is going and the drag link and tie rod ends are probably almost gone too.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,064
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From: Fresno, CA.
Welcome to the site Dan! 
This is THE site to join if you want info on Ford trucks Congratulations on the new purchase. Sounds like you got a good deal. not tracking straight could be a tie rod problem, or maybe just needs an adjustment. You did not mention if it was power steering or not. Might be a problem with the pump if it is. That is the only thing I can think of that would cause it to jerk.
This is THE site to join if you want info on Ford trucks Congratulations on the new purchase. Sounds like you got a good deal. not tracking straight could be a tie rod problem, or maybe just needs an adjustment. You did not mention if it was power steering or not. Might be a problem with the pump if it is. That is the only thing I can think of that would cause it to jerk.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Norfolk, VA
thanks for the help, guys. i'll let you know how it goes. i figured steering problems can't be that hard or that expensive to fix. it's a power steering truck. i think there will probably be a lot of play just about everywhere. "loose" is the best way to describe the whole system. i'll post some pics when i get the truck home.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Norfolk, VA
alright, i got the truck home yesterday, and the steering isn't as bad as it seemed at first. it's more of a wandering. it will wander to one side, then i'll correct, then it will wander to the other side, i'll correct, then wander to other side again . . . and so on. i found some kind of coupling or something between where the steering shaft comes out of the fireway and the steering box. it has some play it it, and i'm able to twist it from side to side a bit. any idea what this is, and if it could be causing my problem? ok, hope this picture works.
Last edited by Racerguy; Dec 23, 2006 at 12:12 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Gray, TN
Jack the front end up and grasp the front tires at 3:00 and 9:00. Any movement in the one you're grabbing should be duplicated by the tire on the other side. If not, look for where the play is in the linkage (tie rod ends, drag link, etc.) Then do the same at 6:00 and 12:00 on each side. It shouldn't feel loose. If it does, look to see if the slop is in the ball joints or in the wheel bearings. To check that coupler joint in the picture, turn the steering wheel through its free-play and have someone watch that joint to see if its there. If not, its probably in your steering box.
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