Ever broke a steering box?
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Joined: May 2005
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From: SW Kansas
Ever broke a steering box?
Have a 73 F250 xlt camper special 2x4,but all of a sudden the wheel is no longer connected to the steering.You can hear a clicking noise inside the box,but it don't turn anymore.I like my ford trucks,but backing up in a straight line and pulling up is getting boring and really impairs the usefulness of the truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
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From: Hesperia, CA
Check the little universal joint that connects the sector shaft to the steering column. It is just above the steering box in the engine compartment. Check and make sure the clamp bolt is still there. The universal joint consists of a rubber pad that connects to an upper and lower yoke. The rubber pad deteriorates and breaks apart, but this usually makes the steering very loose and it will usually turn a little bit. This is what makes me think that the bolt is missing on the clamp that secures it to the sector shaft. This could make the steering just spin on the sector shaft without turning.
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9wire, welcome to FTE forum, you chosen a valuable site for Ford Truck Enthusiasts.
Verify that the steering coupler (aka rag joint) did not break?
The steering coupler may be found on the steering shaft, where it connects to the steering gear box.
If your looking for a steering coupler or the steering gear box needs replacing, try some of our sponsor for these parts, such as:
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http://www.autokrafters.com/
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Buck
_
Verify that the steering coupler (aka rag joint) did not break?
The steering coupler may be found on the steering shaft, where it connects to the steering gear box.
If your looking for a steering coupler or the steering gear box needs replacing, try some of our sponsor for these parts, such as:
http://blueovaltruckparts.com/catalog/
http://www.npdlink.com/
http://www.autokrafters.com/
http://broncograveyard.com/?ad=fte
Buck
_
Last edited by 1975Ford; Jan 8, 2007 at 09:21 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Originally Posted by samickguy15
I didn't break the box, but the frame broke where the box attaches...
Either one of those apply?
If not, someone drove the absolute crap outta that truck! :)
Not even my cowboy buddy's steering gear broke loose from the frame on his 76-F350 cowhauler and he broke the frame and engine mounts loose and all sorts of other stuff. Had to quit driving the extended cab truck because the roof was about to fall off it from being twisted this way and that so many times.
Way before he quit driving it, it was a joke to tell certain kids to stick their finger in the crack when they'd open up going through a bad spot. Like, open some tree trimmers or line-pliers and saying "put your finger in there;)". So we'd watch as the open gap closed and slid past each other in an awful squeek and maybe open going the other way. One of his kids liked cutting sticks and stuff like that off as we went through rough spots to show the smaller kids how bad it could be.
Alvin in AZ
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 379
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From: Delavan, IL
It's only got 31's on it, but I think the guy before me beat on it pretty hard. It didn't really break off or anything, but the frame cracked and broke two small pieces loose. I plan on welding those pieces back in and bolting it back up.
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Use some re- enforcement steel plate behind the frame with hole drilled out to accept the bolts for the steering gear box. Weld the re- enforcement steel plate. Weld about 2 inches apart, then keep welding in spots till the plate is completely welded. Don't forget to wack each weld as to not tempered the metals.
The only times I seen the frame break where the steering gear box is mounted, is due to a loose steering gear box binding back and forth, causing undue stress on the frame, and fatiguing the metal and causing the break.
The only times I seen the frame break where the steering gear box is mounted, is due to a loose steering gear box binding back and forth, causing undue stress on the frame, and fatiguing the metal and causing the break.
Last edited by 1975Ford; Jan 9, 2007 at 05:10 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Delavan, IL
There's a backing plate in there already where the bolts thread into. I also can't really get in the back side due to the cross member, unless I unbolt it or something...I am going to grind out the areas where it broke so as to get good weld penetration. It should be fine. I'll be keeping an eye on it though...
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I have seen were the cut out the cracked piece. Then mark out a template of the cut out on frame. Using a 1/4" to 3/8" steel plate cut out and grinded to fit the cut out on frame. Bevel edges on frame and on steel plate for weld and good penetration. Worked excellent for me, and have had no problems since.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Northshore, MN
YES!! doing 60 mph straight into a concrete railroad embankment. Twisted a radius arm, and snapped the pitman arm shaft flush with the steering box. (78 f150 4x4) And I walked away. Kept the radius arm, and hung it on the garage wall.
Ragjoints are the first to go, usually.
Ragjoints are the first to go, usually.
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