Sloppy Steering?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
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Sloppy Steering?
Anyone know the cause of my sloppy steering. I have an 1989 F150 4X4 5.8 with about 182k mile on it. It runs like a champ, just thinking that some of the front end parts are wearing out. Just don't know where to start as far as tightening up the sloppy steering wheel. Any suggestions would be appreciated?? Thanks..
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Winchendon MA
1st place to look is the "ubber rag joint" it's located under a plastic cover just before the steering box. Offten they fail and you don't know it as theres a saftey pin so you just notice slop. Next step would be replace it with the FORD part its white plastic. Don't get another rubber one from the parts store get the Gen FORD part. BTDT.
Next look at all the tie rod ends if they feel okay then adjust the box. you'll need a 5/8 wrench and a 3/16(?)Allen wrench go 1/4 turn down with allen to tighten at a time go just enough to rid the slop if you notice the steering sticks in the corners you've gone to far back it out a 1/4 turn and retry. If you can't get rid of the slop with out the wheel not returning to center in a turn then the box is just plain worn out.
44Dwarf
Next look at all the tie rod ends if they feel okay then adjust the box. you'll need a 5/8 wrench and a 3/16(?)Allen wrench go 1/4 turn down with allen to tighten at a time go just enough to rid the slop if you notice the steering sticks in the corners you've gone to far back it out a 1/4 turn and retry. If you can't get rid of the slop with out the wheel not returning to center in a turn then the box is just plain worn out.
44Dwarf
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Formerly Nawlins
1st place to look is the "ubber rag joint" it's located under a plastic cover just before the steering box. Offten they fail and you don't know it as theres a saftey pin so you just notice slop. Next step would be replace it with the FORD part its white plastic. Don't get another rubber one from the parts store get the Gen FORD part. BTDT.
44Dwarf
44Dwarf
I rigged mine with several wire ties. Get the multi size pack. I put 2 or 3 of the smaller sized ones in the space until the play was gone, then wire tied them with a larger size one about 1/4" - 3/8" down from the joint. I then wrapped them back on top of themselves and wire tied them again. Then clipped the excess. There is not much chance of them falling out now .... and it has held up very well for over a year now.
