Tightening the Steering.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 751
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From: Greeneville,TN
Tightening the Steering.
I have a little play in my steering. I know that it is not in the linkage. I has to be in the gear box. I read on here that there is a way to tighten it up a little. Just looking for some advice to keep be out of the ditch.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
On top of the steering box (it's easier to see from the top, easier to reach from the bottom once you have a mental picture), there is a stud with a female hex drive, and a lock nut somewhere in the center. That is the adjustment to loosen or tighten the sector shaft gear mesh. I need to do it to mine too but havent thought of it when i had the time. Just tighten up a little at a time. I have heard rumors that if you go too much the first time, the steering wheel can get a hard spot and possibly lock up, so take baby steps.
Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
The steering box can be tightened.
Look on top of the box. You will see a allen (hex) stud that has a jam nut on it. To tighten the steering gear you loosen the nut and then tighten the hex stud. Clockwise tightens the gear and counterclockwise loosens it.
Be very careful with this. I would only go 1/8 turn increments on the stud. If you tighten this too much it could cause the steering gear to bind and then you really have a problem.
I went through this last summer. I was convinced that my steering box was too loose or shot. I tightened it and ended up having tight, crappy memory steer.
Turns out I had bad ball joints and a loose pitman arm connection.
Replaced the ball joints, tightened the pitman arm properly, readjusted the steering box back to the stock spec (if you search here you can find the Ford procedure) and then had it aligned. No more problem.
Look on top of the box. You will see a allen (hex) stud that has a jam nut on it. To tighten the steering gear you loosen the nut and then tighten the hex stud. Clockwise tightens the gear and counterclockwise loosens it.
Be very careful with this. I would only go 1/8 turn increments on the stud. If you tighten this too much it could cause the steering gear to bind and then you really have a problem.
I went through this last summer. I was convinced that my steering box was too loose or shot. I tightened it and ended up having tight, crappy memory steer.
Turns out I had bad ball joints and a loose pitman arm connection.
Replaced the ball joints, tightened the pitman arm properly, readjusted the steering box back to the stock spec (if you search here you can find the Ford procedure) and then had it aligned. No more problem.
