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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

86 f350 steering

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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 06:54 PM
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86 f350 steering

hi I ahve a 86 f350 dually
it has new tires on the front and has soposede to have had the front end rebuilt
it still seems that the steering is loose
can you tighten the steering box to take out the play in the steering
it is on a wedge truck (car hauler)
so I want it to drive straight as posible
thanks you so much for helping me
john
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 07:03 PM
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You need someone to wiggle the steering wheel while you stare at the box and the linkage to see were the play really is. If it is in the steering box, then yes it has an adjustment. But you do not want to fool with it if you can help it. Also try to tighten the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame. It's not uncommon for the bolts to break, or the frame crack around the box.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 07:20 PM
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My truck drives like a boat with a new gearbox and all ft end parts tight. You get used to it
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 07:26 PM
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hi
I think it is more play in the wheel
I know you have to loosein the lock nut on the steering box and tightin to a certin ft torque
can you tell me how to tighten the box (take the play out)
I wnat to try this first if nothing else I will get a new box
thanks john
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 08:33 PM
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Before you tighten the box, you should make sure it's centered. That's possibly whats wrong with bashby's steering too. The box is made to drive tighter in the center, but good intention alignment guys will center the steering wheel by using the tie rod ends. This gets the steering box off.

So what you do is take the steering linkage off the pitman arm. Then count the number of turns it takes to go full travel from left to right. Divide that by 2, and then count that number and stop. If your pitman arm is way off now, as well as the steering wheel, then it's a sure bet the box was off centered. If you turn both tie rod end adjustments equally, you should be able to get it back right.

Once it's centered, then you can make small adjustments to the screw adjuster. If you get it too tight, the steering wheel will not want to re-center after you make a turn.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 11:37 PM
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I went out and checked things out again
the shaft that goes from the steering box to the pitman arms is moving
we can move the wheel from side to side with out the arms moving
so that is my play
so now the fix
is it just loose do I have to replace both arms
the shaft goes threw both shafts
I guess I would just have to replace the passsenger side this would be the one with the shaft that goes threw left side and threw the steering shaft
right
thanks for any help you can give
john
 
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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Here's a picture.
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d800a90da.gif

There are 4 pieces total. Two short pieces called "outer tie rod ends" that go out and hook to the spindles with the clamps and sleeves. The other two pieces are the "inner tie rods". One is really long and has a hole in the middle, and the other a little bit shorter. You have to buy the whole arm assembly. I remember in the early years these things were pretty expensive, but now it's more common to replace them so the price has come way down. If you can get under the truck and eyeball the joints while someone wiggles the tire back and forth, you might find the bad one or ones, and not have to replace them all.

Be sure to get it aligned after replacing this stuff.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 11:06 AM
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I checked last night the arm from the steering box moves alot whaen my wife turns the wheel back and forth
inner tie rod ?
outer tie rods and ball joints look to be replaced
so I found the problem now it is fixing it
thanks for the help
 
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 11:45 AM
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UPDATE
it is the center link bar
 
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 05:27 PM
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I threw the 1/2 ton version of this kit onto my `86 last weekend and it really made the truck feel a lot better on the road.

1980-84 F250/350 Steering Rod Kit

they have the individual parts as well, check the category above that listing if you just want the center link specifically.
 
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