New steering gear need adjusting?
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New User
Joined: May 2008
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From: Austin Tx
New steering gear need adjusting?
95 F150 4X4 5.8 / 205,000 miles and counting
OK I've read through a ton of posts on steering slop and fixes and taken most of the advice given to others here. I recently installed a new steering gear bought at my local NAPA and replaced pretty much everything else that was replaceable and the truck tracks straight.
My issue is the play in the steering gear. Do these usually need adjusting when bought new or remanufactured? The column is tight so that only leaves the new steering gear.
I had kind of figured these would be adjusted at the factory. Any input?
Thanks!
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
OK I've read through a ton of posts on steering slop and fixes and taken most of the advice given to others here. I recently installed a new steering gear bought at my local NAPA and replaced pretty much everything else that was replaceable and the truck tracks straight.
My issue is the play in the steering gear. Do these usually need adjusting when bought new or remanufactured? The column is tight so that only leaves the new steering gear.
I had kind of figured these would be adjusted at the factory. Any input?
Thanks!
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
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Lift the hood and look down on the drivers side, you should be able to see the steering box and below that the pitman arm. Make sure your steering is unlocked and rotate the exposed bit of the steering column (under the hood) back and forth. Does the pitman arm move as you rock the column? If it does then no adjustment is necessary and you need to look at ball joints/tie rod ends for the play. If you can rock the column the 2 inches and the pitman arm does not move then check the universal joint in the column for play. If it is good then you need to adjust the box.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
I assume you read up on the PITA procedure to do the adjustment....typically I am loathe to do them 'cuz they can cause binding.
have you checked the ball joints for binding? when they rust they get tight and it keeps the boost on.
have you checked the ball joints for binding? when they rust they get tight and it keeps the boost on.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
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From: Michigan
Do as Lazy K says and check those points. If the box is indeed out of adjustment, I would take it back to NAPA. Not sure of the box you got, but mine was lifetime warranty. I wouldn't put up with a reman box needing adjustment.
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New User
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From: Austin Tx
Steering box
Thanks for the replies, I thought the damn thing should be adjusted at the factory. I guess I'll return it Saturday. Luckily it isn't a big PITA to swap out.
Oh yeah, everything is new in the front end. I figured after 200K miles that it was probably due.
Thanks for the input!
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
Oh yeah, everything is new in the front end. I figured after 200K miles that it was probably due.
Thanks for the input!
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
before removing the box why not inspect your steering shaft? this is a known trouble spot especially since everything else has been replaced.
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From: Austin Tx
steering box
I guess I was unclear, the steering shaft is new as well. The box is the only thing that it can be. I just never heard of one being out of adjustment when it was new. But then, There's alot that I don't know.
Thanks!
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
Thanks!
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
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From: Austin Tx
steering gear
Just an update to those who helped me out here.
I can't leave anything alone so I thought I would just tweak the box a little when I got home from work. I started by tightening it a half turn and damn if it wasn't too tight. I then backed it off a quarter turn and damn if it isn't just about perfect.
I'm going to just leave it in since it doesn't have any play now or at most, just a hair. I'm happy with it. I sure would have thought it would take more adjustment than that. Pretty tight in that gear box I guess.
Anyhow, thanks again. I hope I get another 200K out of this one now.
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.
I can't leave anything alone so I thought I would just tweak the box a little when I got home from work. I started by tightening it a half turn and damn if it wasn't too tight. I then backed it off a quarter turn and damn if it isn't just about perfect.
I'm going to just leave it in since it doesn't have any play now or at most, just a hair. I'm happy with it. I sure would have thought it would take more adjustment than that. Pretty tight in that gear box I guess.
Anyhow, thanks again. I hope I get another 200K out of this one now.
Russ Lane
Austin, Tx.