69' 250 steering play

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Jun 22, 2008 | 07:06 PM

istfordinmylife

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69' 250 steering play

Does anyone know what the standard play in the steering should be. I just returned back from Oregon where I got to see my truck for the first time. Put new brake lines on and got it running after sitting for a few years. When I drove it, it seemed to have quite a bit of play in the steering. When looking underneath, I noticed a lot of new orange colored bushings on all of the front end parts. Is ther a way to adjust the steering gear box, or should I be looking elsewhere to reduce the play? My next trip up, I will replace and pack the front wheel bearings before the drive to Phoenix, az.

Jun 22, 2008 | 08:15 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

You want to check all the tie rod ends, the kingpins, and the rag joint between the steering column and box BEFORE making any kind of adjustment to the box. If you overtighten the box, you can destroy it fairly quickly.

Jun 22, 2008 | 08:42 PM

Freightrain

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From: Ohio

Ditto.

Work your way from tires back to the steering box. A loose rag joint will make for sloppy steering, but there may be other issues too.

Jun 22, 2008 | 09:19 PM

istfordinmylife

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I'll check

Thanks for the replys, I will check from the wheels back to the box. Is the rag joint an easy replace?

Jun 23, 2008 | 08:31 AM

Freightrain

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From: Ohio

The stock one will take a grinder to cut the rivets on the one side of joint. The replacement is a bolt in.

How is your cab mounts? Does the cab sit straight and solid? If it droops in the nose it will eat up any rag joint(old or new) with the constant pressure on it.

Jun 23, 2008 | 08:46 AM

NumberDummy

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From: Simi Valley, CA

1969/74 F100/350 2WD steering coupler (rag joint).

Quote:

Originally Posted by istfordinmylife

2WD or 4WD?

C9UZ3A525A .. 2WD Steering Coupling (rag joint) ~ Fits 1969/74 F100/250 2WD & 1968/74 F350.

Still available from Ford

C9UZ3A525A / MSRP: $75.00 / ftepartsguy.com price: $54.00

If this is 4WD, there is no steering coupling, there is a shaft & coupling assy, along with a U-joint.

Usually it's a defective U-joint that causes play.

If you have 4WD, I need to know the last 6 digits of your trucks VIN in order to list the part number info and availability.

Jun 23, 2008 | 10:04 PM

istfordinmylife

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Thanks again for the responses! It is a two wheel drive. When I glanced at the box and shaft under the hood it appeared pretty simple looking. It appears to be very open with a lot of room. However I may not want to mess with it myself. I know alot of the basic mechanic stuff and I have alot of common sense, but I may need someone for this one. I took some photos of the truck but don't know how to add it to this tread. The cab appears to sit level.