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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 03:37 PM
  #1  
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Cool Steering

I have a 78 F-150 4x4 that has excessive play in the steering at high speed. Does anyone know what could be the problem and how to fix it?
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 07:20 PM
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I got the same problem. I put new Toyo 31x10.50's on 10" wheels all the way around, replace every bushing in the front end. When someone wiggles the wheel, I can see the shaft moving around in the bottom of the steering box. Frame isn't broke, So the gearbox is my next purchase. I have took most of the slack out, but there is a bit. I am aiming for mine to drive like a brand new one.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 07:25 PM
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Don't buy that gearbox quite yet..the mounting bolts that bolt the gearbox to the frame have a nasty habit of shearing off...check those first. The frame holes where those bolts pass through sometimes get elongated. The bolts are a special Ford design..that's either good or bad...depending how you look at it.


Also look closely at the steering flexible coupler...between the steering box input shaft and steering shaft in the column.
 

Last edited by NumberDummy; Apr 20, 2007 at 07:30 PM.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 07:42 PM
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Yea, I have checked all those also. I can see the shaft coming out of the bottom of the steering sector moving on mine. Plus it is getting wet because of the seal failing.
Didn't mean to hijack a thread. Best thing to do is get someone behind the steering wheel moving it from side to side, and get someone under the truck looking at where all the slack is coming from.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 08:48 PM
  #5  
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have you check your rag joint? Those suckers tend to split and you might not even know it.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 08:59 PM
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Remember you have to insert road quality conditions on wandering steering issues

Worn out Radius arm bushings
Weak shocks
Loose Steering box
Worn out or loose steering components
Steering box adjustment (last resort)
Worn out or broken rag Joint on steering
Weak coil springs
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 09:52 PM
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Ive got similar problems on my 78 4x4, what/where exactly is this "rag joint"??
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 10:13 PM
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Another cause can come from inappropriate tires with weak side walls. Under-inflated tires will do the same.

wyazel1, the rag joint is the rubber/fabric item bolted in the steering column.
 
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 11:03 PM
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The rubber thing Shown here.




On yours though it is in the coupler shown on the left end of this shaft.

 

Last edited by Mil1ion; Apr 20, 2007 at 11:06 PM.
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 03:03 AM
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Rag Joint is a slang term for the Steering Flexible Coupler
 
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 03:26 AM
  #11  
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From: Livermore, Ca.
Loose Steering Feeling

Just replaced my coupler rag two weeks ago. $11 peice from the auto parts store. Now mine drive like new. One of the safety pins was worn pretty good. Rag was elongated and just falling apart in the coupler.

Takes a hour or so to do. Maybe two if it's your first time. I had to cut off the old pins and bolts as the keepers are swagged on there.

Yes, tires can also cause these type of problems as well. I had Yokohama tires on a Z car once. It was a while after I bought the tires that the car made it to the freeway. Then I thought it was the steering needing attention after 225K.
Wrong, those tires worn out fast.... like 20K. Installed BFG Sports. Those tires tracked perfectly, held better than ever, and handled very well for about the same $ as the Yoko's. I always thought highly of Yoko. But those A008 never did work apparently on a Z car. I was truely amazed. I thought a little difference between tires.... But, this was night and day. So, maybe that is another good place to look as a previous poster mentioned as well.
 

Last edited by Mecinoid; Apr 21, 2007 at 03:41 AM.
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