awhile ago the output seal on my ps gearbox blew out and i replaced it. Ever since the steering has been real loose. I tried tighteneing the screw on the top but i tightened it as far as it would go than backed it off a little. Is a new pump in store or what?

 

Most likly the box is going. but check your tierod ends to make sure that they are not loose or wore out

 

Did you take the steering box apart to replace the seal? If so, there may be a shim out of place. If not, the box may be shot.

 

i did pull the box apart to replace the seal. I was real carefule to lay everthing out the way it came out but may have mixed something up. The tie rods feel ok. If grab the input shaft half way between fare wall and box with the truck off there is signifagant slope. Can the box be rebuilt or is it better to buy new?

 

Ive heard of people rebuilding them or getting remans but they end up with slop not to far down the road again. Ive looked into aftermartet ones that ive seen in mags but i cant remeber names. They wernt too expensive with some good warenties. I would look around on the web becuase i heard the remans wernt mush better than stock. Just my .02

 

i think its the original box. Truck has 232,000 and a plow. I think the rest oh the truck will wear out first

 

Thats probly true. Im sure that there is someone else that has done this before and could help you out better than I could. When I has looking I never wanted to deal with it agian so I looked for the best possible thing. That and I hate have in that slop. I still have not done anything about it and will just live with it until it goes completly. But anyhow good luck with what ever you do.

 

West Texas Offroad, PSC Motorsports, and AGR Performance all have super-stout boxes and very respectable warranties, however you will definitely pay for them! i always get a gearbox from a truck in j-yards and rebuild them with a full master kit using this tech article.
4x4.forensick.net: '88 bronco: steering box rebuild

These are the easiest boxes to rebuild and they are so plentiful you should be able to find them for cheap. when i go buy one from my local joint i pay $15 for the box and $80 for the master rebuild kit (Autozone: 8896).

Also be aware, that nut on top of the box is for pre-load adjustment. you dont need to be turning that nut unless you have it apart and can check the pre-load with a dial gauge

-cutts-

 

If you have a lot of slop between the input & output shafts then something is out of place unless the rag joint let go. That's the connector between the steering gear and the steering column shaft.

Fishy, that's a nice article, saved it for the future. Reps sent

 

Fish, Does that kit help a lot? Every OBS Ford I have ever driven had the 2-3 inch slop that my truck has so I wasn't sure If it was possible to get rid of that by just rebuilding the factory box.

 

well no box i have done has absolute no slop but 2-3" does sound excessive. you dont want your steering too tight/responsive that can be just as dangerous as sloppy steering. some slop is ok. i like that kit because it comes with everything you need and a lot of times more than you need. i definitely recommend it.

just to clarify when you say 2-3" are you referring to 2-3" measuring on your steering wheel?

thanks jim, been using that article for quite sometime! in fact my first box i rebuilt was for hydro assist and that was in 1999 as a sophmore in high skool

-cutts-

 

When I say 2-3 inches I mean if you were to put a line on the center of the steering wheel at teh top that it would move around 1.5 inches each way before the tires start to turn.

I know I dont want it too tight but what I have now is really too much. Ill probly wait till It starts to leak before I do anything with it. It doesnt bother me now as much as it did when I first got the truck.