77 250 4x4 loose steering
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: vandalia il..
77 250 4x4 loose steering
well took the 77 f250 4x4 out today and steering was really scary. so im going to start replacing front end and suspension stuff this week. what would cause it to feel loose power steering box or bad pump .? steerig wheel feels like it jumps or kind of slips/catches. any ideas where to start?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
This is a 77 not a 77.5 right? If it is a 77 then you do not actually have power steering, you have a power assist system, and the loose steering could be a bad hydraulic ram, or a bad valve.
Always look for the obvious first, but his is pretty easy to verify.
This hydraulic assist system is not cheap to replace, and is often upgraded to a real power steering system.
This might be a good time to upgrade the pump and convert to a complete crossover steering system, if your truck is lifted slightly.
Always look for the obvious first, but his is pretty easy to verify.
This hydraulic assist system is not cheap to replace, and is often upgraded to a real power steering system.
This might be a good time to upgrade the pump and convert to a complete crossover steering system, if your truck is lifted slightly.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
No worries, but now we can identify this problem a little better.
You can look for loose ends on the drag link, and may even look into the fluid itself.
Contaminated fluid is probably the largest cause of power steering problems. Fluid becomes saturated with suspended solids, and has to be cleaned and fresh fluid added.
Once the fluid breaks down, it can foam, and cavitate.
This makes the pump less effective, and the box will suffer.
This box can be adjusted, and perhaps just the worm gear is loose and requires a small adjustment. Isolate the problem by having a friend turn the steering wheel slightly, and watch for loose components or any steering components that do not move with the drivers input of the steering wheel.
Obviously check for loose components, and change the fluid.
You can look for loose ends on the drag link, and may even look into the fluid itself.
Contaminated fluid is probably the largest cause of power steering problems. Fluid becomes saturated with suspended solids, and has to be cleaned and fresh fluid added.
Once the fluid breaks down, it can foam, and cavitate.
This makes the pump less effective, and the box will suffer.
This box can be adjusted, and perhaps just the worm gear is loose and requires a small adjustment. Isolate the problem by having a friend turn the steering wheel slightly, and watch for loose components or any steering components that do not move with the drivers input of the steering wheel.
Obviously check for loose components, and change the fluid.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
1st thing to do is figure out if it is in the column, the steering shaft, the box or the front end parts. Have someone turn the wheel as you watch each section listed seperately to see what happens. If it is a tilt wheel there is a small nut and bolt in the pivot point of the upper column that can come loose. This happened on my Bronco, took the column apart and what a world of difference.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 3
From: Dracut, Massachusetts
i had the same problem with my 77, it turned out to be the shaft that connects the column to the steering box. one of the u-joints was broken and not pphysically attached at all. very scary thinking i had been driving around for over a year with no connection between the steering box and my hands!
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1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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