Sloppy Steering
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 81
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
Sloppy Steering
Hey Folks,
Im a little distraught on what to do here. My '85 f250 has sloppy steering at high speeds. I've had it aligned and the alignment guy only suggested that the kingpins might be a little sticky. I greased the heck of the them and that seemed to solve the stickiness problem but that was only noticable when turning corners. Im beginning to think my steery box is really worn out. My truck does have over 280,000 miles on it so its possible. Is this a common problem? Is this a common characteristic of the ford powersteering box? will a new box tighten up the steering? I don't think its tie rod of other front end chassis parts so it has to be the steering box.
Anyone have any thoughts, etc....???? Im lost.
Thanks Much,
Al Conforti
Im a little distraught on what to do here. My '85 f250 has sloppy steering at high speeds. I've had it aligned and the alignment guy only suggested that the kingpins might be a little sticky. I greased the heck of the them and that seemed to solve the stickiness problem but that was only noticable when turning corners. Im beginning to think my steery box is really worn out. My truck does have over 280,000 miles on it so its possible. Is this a common problem? Is this a common characteristic of the ford powersteering box? will a new box tighten up the steering? I don't think its tie rod of other front end chassis parts so it has to be the steering box.
Anyone have any thoughts, etc....???? Im lost.
Thanks Much,
Al Conforti
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,746
From: Virginia
The steering box has a "tight spot" in the center of it's travel. Over the years, if the steering wheel has been taken off and put back on wrong, and then the alignment guys "straighten" up the steering wheel by turning the tie rods, the centering can get off.
You have to take the steering loose from the steering box. Then turn the steering wheel till it stops. Count the number of turns it takes to move the steering wheel all the way to the other side till it stops again. Divide the number of turns by two and put the wheel at this position. Does the steering wheel look straight and the linkage underneath line up? If not, the tie rod ends will have to be adjusted equally on both sides for that to line up, and the steering wheel will have to be removed and placed in the correct position.
Some trucks also have a mark made on the end of the steering shaft that you can see when you take the wheel off.
You have to take the steering loose from the steering box. Then turn the steering wheel till it stops. Count the number of turns it takes to move the steering wheel all the way to the other side till it stops again. Divide the number of turns by two and put the wheel at this position. Does the steering wheel look straight and the linkage underneath line up? If not, the tie rod ends will have to be adjusted equally on both sides for that to line up, and the steering wheel will have to be removed and placed in the correct position.
Some trucks also have a mark made on the end of the steering shaft that you can see when you take the wheel off.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,687
Likes: 3,153
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
Most likely the box is wearing out and check the rag joint at the bottom of the column and the U jount at the top to see if you have any play. Check and grease the tie rod ends to see in they have any play!
