Steering issue
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Steering issue
Over the past week or so my trucks steering has started to bind up on me. The wheel seems to get stuck or really tight when try and return it back. Kinda feels like its pulling the wheel to the direction I was steering it to. I tried loosening the gear box but that doesnt seem to help. I need to fix this asap. Its pretty scary when this happens at highway speeds.
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From: MICHIGAN
Have you checked all the steering linkage & ball joints?
It may be in the steering column. Disconnect the rag joint on the steering gear and turn the steering wheel. Caution: don't spin the wheel or you'll be buying a new clock spring.
If the column seem OK then your already part way done on removing the steering gear. IT's probably bad.
It may be in the steering column. Disconnect the rag joint on the steering gear and turn the steering wheel. Caution: don't spin the wheel or you'll be buying a new clock spring.
If the column seem OK then your already part way done on removing the steering gear. IT's probably bad.
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Ok guys I did some inpecting today and heres what I found. I disconnected the rag joint and the everything from there up seems fine. I then jacked up the front end and started looking around. I noticed when I turn the wheels the ujoints will turn maybe a quater of a turn when the wheel gets to a certain point. Kind of like the engage for a second. Both sides do it at exactly the same point. Is this normal?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
Be sure the hubs are unlocked. Take them apart if your not sure.
BTW: With the hubs locked There may be a little draging when when you spin the wheel at full lock. But it should bind to the point you can't turn it by hand. IF so, the u-joints may need replacement.
BTW: With the hubs locked There may be a little draging when when you spin the wheel at full lock. But it should bind to the point you can't turn it by hand. IF so, the u-joints may need replacement.
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jim, this is with the hubs unlocked. I also took them apart to be sure.
tj, I get some creaking when I turn the wheel at certain points but there's no looseness to it. I cant seem to make it creak unless I'm driving it. I replaced to upper bearing about a month ago but not the lower.
tj, I get some creaking when I turn the wheel at certain points but there's no looseness to it. I cant seem to make it creak unless I'm driving it. I replaced to upper bearing about a month ago but not the lower.
Last edited by F0rdF0rever; Oct 26, 2007 at 07:54 AM.
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I picked a new gear box free of chage last night from adavanced. It was still covered by the warranty. The truck steers like new again. The first one I got about a year ago was just never right. It had some play in it from the first day I put it in. This new one is great, zero play in the wheel.
Thanks again for all the help.
Thanks again for all the help.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Levittown
You finished off the box when you tampered with it. You cannot take play out of the box with that screw. That screw is used to set the worm with the amount of drag it takes to turn the input shaft. I have seen so many loose a box because they were told it would help take play out of the box!
Glad to hear its fixed.
BTW- Beware that if you make that screw to tight your steering willnot return to center and have seen steering not return at all do to this.
Bill
Glad to hear its fixed.
BTW- Beware that if you make that screw to tight your steering willnot return to center and have seen steering not return at all do to this.
Bill
Last edited by MADVAN; Nov 3, 2007 at 06:11 PM.