Sloppy Steering?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Indiana
Sloppy Steering?
Howdy,
Steering question here. I feel my steering wanders at high way speeds. I wouldn't say it is sloppy but it wanders more than it should. I don't feel it at all slower speeds in town. All of my steering linkage feels tight and good. Is this most likely wear that is in my steering box that can be replaced with a rebuild? My truck is a '99 140K mile F250 4x4 V10.
Thanks for any help!
Tom
Steering question here. I feel my steering wanders at high way speeds. I wouldn't say it is sloppy but it wanders more than it should. I don't feel it at all slower speeds in town. All of my steering linkage feels tight and good. Is this most likely wear that is in my steering box that can be replaced with a rebuild? My truck is a '99 140K mile F250 4x4 V10.
Thanks for any help!
Tom
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Montana
Lots of threads on this problem but no cures that I have heard. I have this problem. The last thread that I read on this someone was going to put wedges between the axle and leaf springs to change the caster. I havent heard if he did it yet. Do a search, there is lots of reading.
Budman
Budman
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From: Indiana
Lots of threads on this problem but no cures that I have heard. I have this problem. The last thread that I read on this someone was going to put wedges between the axle and leaf springs to change the caster. I havent heard if he did it yet. Do a search, there is lots of reading.
Budman
Budman
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
You might need to tighten up the steering box - lots of times people say they are loose right from the factory.
Mine is, has always been. It wasn't so bad with 235 or 265's, but now with 285's, it much worse. I'll be doing it soon.
Tighten it up in very small increments, you can get it to the point where it binds, especially when you're turning, and that's not good !
Mine is, has always been. It wasn't so bad with 235 or 265's, but now with 285's, it much worse. I'll be doing it soon.
Tighten it up in very small increments, you can get it to the point where it binds, especially when you're turning, and that's not good !
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
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From: So Oregon
I know this sounds unrelated, but when was the last time you replaced your shocks (how many miles ago)? My wife drove our "new" 1994 Explorer with 142k miles on it and came home telling me the thing wandered. I told her it also needed shocks, because that much *I* could tell. I took it to an alignment shop where I know the owner. He looked the whole thing over and said he thought it probably felt like it was the steering because the shocks were crap and weren't keeping it from moving up and down (which can then give feedback through the steering wheel). Anyway, if you haven't changed your shocks and are keeping the vehicle, you probably should. I purchased "good" shocks and was told they'll likely last 50k miles, so if yours are stock, they're shot. May not cure what you're talking about, but if everything else is tight, it might. It might just *seem* like it's the steering.
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From: Long Island USA
There is an adjustment right on top of the steering box. Back out the locknut (while holding the screw) and tighten the screw in small increments, then retighten the locknut and check.
What I do when I'm adjusting a steering box is, turn it almost all the way to one end, and with the engine running, move the steering shaft back and forth while watching the pitman arm. If there is any movement of the steering shaft without the pitman arm moving, tighten the box until that movement is almost all the way gone.
This way, you don't bind up the box. When your done, move the steering back and forth lock-to-lock a few times, and DEFINITELY get the fluid nice and warm/hot and make sure it doesn't bind or get stiff - you can easily ruin the box.
What I do when I'm adjusting a steering box is, turn it almost all the way to one end, and with the engine running, move the steering shaft back and forth while watching the pitman arm. If there is any movement of the steering shaft without the pitman arm moving, tighten the box until that movement is almost all the way gone.
This way, you don't bind up the box. When your done, move the steering back and forth lock-to-lock a few times, and DEFINITELY get the fluid nice and warm/hot and make sure it doesn't bind or get stiff - you can easily ruin the box.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Indiana
I know this sounds unrelated, but when was the last time you replaced your shocks (how many miles ago)? My wife drove our "new" 1994 Explorer with 142k miles on it and came home telling me the thing wandered. I told her it also needed shocks, because that much *I* could tell. I took it to an alignment shop where I know the owner. He looked the whole thing over and said he thought it probably felt like it was the steering because the shocks were crap and weren't keeping it from moving up and down (which can then give feedback through the steering wheel). Anyway, if you haven't changed your shocks and are keeping the vehicle, you probably should. I purchased "good" shocks and was told they'll likely last 50k miles, so if yours are stock, they're shot. May not cure what you're talking about, but if everything else is tight, it might. It might just *seem* like it's the steering.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 440
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From: Montana
This is what I have done and still no fix:
Bilstein shocks
moog ball joints
KYB steering stabilizer
Energy suspension sway bar and end link bushings
Front end alignment (twice)
New tires
Adjusted the preload on the steering gear box.
Next thing I am going to try is the Track bar bushing and gearbox. When I tow I am wandering all over the place. Keep us posted if you find the problem. Someone also said to try new leaf spring bushings.
Budman
Bilstein shocks
moog ball joints
KYB steering stabilizer
Energy suspension sway bar and end link bushings
Front end alignment (twice)
New tires
Adjusted the preload on the steering gear box.
Next thing I am going to try is the Track bar bushing and gearbox. When I tow I am wandering all over the place. Keep us posted if you find the problem. Someone also said to try new leaf spring bushings.
Budman
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 91
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From: Apex , NC
Take your air cleaner out and look down. You'll see your steering box. Mark the position of the allen head bolt in the center of the box. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the allen head bolt. Use an allen wrench to turn the bolt about 1/8th to 1/4 of a turn CLOCKWISE. No more. Over adjustment can cause problems. Tighten the nut carefully as to not change the new position of the allen bolt. Reinstall air filter and take it for a test drive. This should take the slop out , if not you have other issues that will require replacing front suspension parts.
APEXDUCK
APEXDUCK
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From: Indiana
I replaced all of my shocks with a mid grade monroe, front pass. was leaking. Replaced the steering stabilizer, it was leaking. I gave the steering box about an 1/8th turn, maybe even less. I replaced the ball joints less than 5K miles ago. All other front end goods are tight. I'll take her for a highway spin tonight and report back.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Indiana
I replaced all of my shocks with a mid grade monroe, front pass. was leaking. Replaced the steering stabilizer, it was leaking. I gave the steering box about an 1/8th turn, maybe even less. I replaced the ball joints less than 5K miles ago. All other front end goods are tight. I'll take her for a highway spin tonight and report back.
I didn't buy the truck new so I don't know what it should feel like as new but I am very satisfied with the results. As usual, swapping in the new shocks made me realize how warn the old ones were.
I don't feel any need to swap the gear box now.
Thanks for all the input!!
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