Loose Steering Correction Thread
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Where are you looking at the play?
Adjusting the box will only fix play between the steering shaft going in and output shaft to the pitman arm. If you can turn the wheel and the pitman arm doesn't move then that is what you adjust. Sometimes it doesn't work. You can only adjust a certain amount until you reach the point in which the steering gear needs to be replaced/rebuilt.
Keep adjusting in 1/4 turn increments. It tighten up.
How much play do you have in the steering wheel? Should be around an inch.
````````````````````````````````
On another note: I got my blender. Smoothies anyone?
Adjusting the box will only fix play between the steering shaft going in and output shaft to the pitman arm. If you can turn the wheel and the pitman arm doesn't move then that is what you adjust. Sometimes it doesn't work. You can only adjust a certain amount until you reach the point in which the steering gear needs to be replaced/rebuilt.
Keep adjusting in 1/4 turn increments. It tighten up.
How much play do you have in the steering wheel? Should be around an inch.
````````````````````````````````
On another note: I got my blender. Smoothies anyone?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
Maybe I'm wrong but isn't Counter-clockwise the wrong direction for turning the Allen head bolt???
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Apex , NC
It is clockwise, NOT counter clockwise. It is a standard theaded bolt and you are tightening the gear engagement when you screw the bolt in further. Thus if you over tighten, it will create too much friction and premature wear will result. Start with 1/8 of a turn and go more if needed. It only takes a couple of minutes to to this. I used a box end wrench and an allen wrench. Be sure to place a reference mark on the bolt (allen screw not the nut) so you know how much you moved it.
APEXDUCK
APEXDUCK
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Latrobe PA
Glad you realised it was backassed. I though to myself "that has to be wrong." But what do I know. Clockwise to tighted the steering box. Make sure you hold the allen in the fixed position while you tighten the outer nut.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: NW Austin
Since I bought my X it has had at least 4'' to 6'' of play in the steering. Not a big deal, just thought it was because of the 35'' tires.
Finally, last night I had my buddy who does all the work on my truck adjust the steering.
He went 1/4 turn no change, another 1/4 no change, another 1/4 felt a little better, one last 1/4 turn and WOW, what a difference !!!
Thanks to all for the info. You do turn it Clockwise to tighten.
Finally, last night I had my buddy who does all the work on my truck adjust the steering.
He went 1/4 turn no change, another 1/4 no change, another 1/4 felt a little better, one last 1/4 turn and WOW, what a difference !!!
Thanks to all for the info. You do turn it Clockwise to tighten.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
H1449,
You've turned the allen screw clockwise 1/2 turns four times for a total of two full turns clockwise on the allen screw?
When you make the adjustment of the allen screw...are you holding that tight in place while you snug the jam nut? If not you will be loosing up the steering (i.e. turning the allen screw counter clockwise) as you tighten the jam nut.
If you truly have turned the allen screw 2 full turns...I'd say you very likely have something else going on. I'm not sure I have ever read any one on here say they turned it that much. usually 1/2 to 1 turn is what I remember reading.
Oh yeah...how bout some reps for the guy that took that photo...I snapped that photo and posted it in February of this year for someone on here and I'm glad it is getting some press! With all the photos I've posted...I normally get about 500-1,000 hits to my webshots page per week!!!
Joe.
You've turned the allen screw clockwise 1/2 turns four times for a total of two full turns clockwise on the allen screw?
When you make the adjustment of the allen screw...are you holding that tight in place while you snug the jam nut? If not you will be loosing up the steering (i.e. turning the allen screw counter clockwise) as you tighten the jam nut.
If you truly have turned the allen screw 2 full turns...I'd say you very likely have something else going on. I'm not sure I have ever read any one on here say they turned it that much. usually 1/2 to 1 turn is what I remember reading.
Oh yeah...how bout some reps for the guy that took that photo...I snapped that photo and posted it in February of this year for someone on here and I'm glad it is getting some press! With all the photos I've posted...I normally get about 500-1,000 hits to my webshots page per week!!!
Joe.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
Maybe my expectations are too high. I'm turning the steering wheel a good two inches before the wheels move.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
I think this is exactly what I am looking for. I picked up my Ex today, and driving back on the highway, I could turn my steering wheel a full inch in either direction before it would start to turn the wheels, so minor corrections to steering required much more turning of the wheel than necessary, quite annoying. If this will fix that, I may go out tonight and get that tightened up.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
The steering box adjustment will tighten play between the steering wheel and pitman arm (5/8 wrench, 3/16 allen key) but the need for constant correction on the highway is more than likely because your caster angle is too negative (or is that positive 
). A set of caster/camber shims set to max. caster angle will greatly improve stability of steering at speed.
). A set of caster/camber shims set to max. caster angle will greatly improve stability of steering at speed.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
F-250 restorer
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 22, 2013 08:38 PM
conoso
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jun 8, 2012 12:26 PM
weekendwarriorfsw32
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Dec 2, 2010 06:44 AM
