When adjusting the steering gear what are you actually adjusting. I have about 1-2" of play in the steering. I have replaced the ball joints, front axle U-joints, tires are new and just had an alignment. While driving there is play in the steering. The truck has a wandering feel to it, you have to constantly move the wheel back and forth slightly. I am tired of all the so called experts telling me its because 1. Large agressive tires (31x10.5x15 AT which came stock on the vehicle) or 2. Fords just drive that way and your being picky. I had a mechanic check the steering rod and there is no play there. I do not mind changing the steering gear but have been told that it checks out ok. All the other bushings and parts related to the steering have been checked out and are in good condition. Anyone out there have any ideas.

 

The adjustment your speaking of is at the top of your steering gear, there is a nut and an adjuster rod with a slot for a large flattip screwdriver. This adjustment in the most basic term I can think of is a way of pressing the gears closer together. If you overtighten the shaft, the gears will bind, and your vehicle will be undrivable till it's loosened. Too loose and you look like your driving on a bad episode of Chips.
I'd suggest tightening the shaft 1/8 turn and then tighten the locking nut and drive. If it doesn't feel like there has been any change at all, turn it another 1/8 turn. If you still don't feel a difference, it's not the gear.
If it does react to the first turn positively, figure out where you want to be. You probably won't get racecar feel out of the steering without a new steering gear and tightening your old gear down to a level that offers no play may also offer hard turning which you can not accept.
So, if it's feeling very good after the first turn and perfect after the second, your great. If it isn't good after a big turn, don't mess up your gear thinking your gonna make it right. You need to keep your truck drivable at least till you can replace the gear, which is what I'd do.

Good luck

Chaiyz

 

I have tried this adjustment and in another post here someone suggested turning the screw down until you feel it bottom then tighten up the nut. Several people tried that and then found they had locked the steering up and then I believe they had to lift the front off the ground to get the screw to back off. I then adjusted mine about 1 turn 1/4 of a turn at a time. When I did get to 1 turn it seemed as though the power steering pump seemed to be making a noise so i backed it off to 3/4 of a turn and left it there. It did not really seem to make any difference at all. The place that aligned the front said the steering gear appears ok and that while doing the alignment they noticed the steering turned freely on the rack and he said usually if it binds its a sign that it is going bad. I do not mind spending the money to get this right but I am getting tired of spending money for no results. Any other suggestions or areas to look.

 

in one of our 2000 E-250's with 170000miles the wheel would vibrate while going down the highway(above 55mph) and gave your hand a work out but felt fine around town and it was the stearing gear. my question is does the wheel vibrate at highway speeds?

96 Bronco, Eddie Bauer, 351w, auto

 

>I have tried this adjustment and in another post here
>someone suggested turning the screw down until you feel it
>bottom then tighten up the nut. Several people tried that
>and then found they had locked the steering up and then I
>believe they had to lift the front off the ground to get the
>screw to back off. I then adjusted mine about 1 turn 1/4 of
>a turn at a time. When I did get to 1 turn it seemed as
>though the power steering pump seemed to be making a noise
>so i backed it off to 3/4 of a turn and left it there. It
>did not really seem to make any difference at all. The
>place that aligned the front said the steering gear appears
>ok and that while doing the alignment they noticed the
>steering turned freely on the rack and he said usually if it
>binds its a sign that it is going bad. I do not mind
>spending the money to get this right but I am getting tired
>of spending money for no results. Any other suggestions or
>areas to look.


Well, other than changing out steering parts, your not going to solve your problem. It sucks that it's a trial and error process but that's just the way it is unless you take it to a good shop.

Other things to check, worn wheelbearings, drag link bushings, radius arm bushings and ball joints.

If these components are in good working order, and you still have slop, change out the steering gear.
Good luck


Chaiyz