Old truck steering issues
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Old truck steering issues
I hoping someone might have a insight to some steering issues with my 68. When I rebuilt the truck a replaced the
steering box and power steering pump and I get this
irritating fluid circulation noise echoing up through the
steering column when turning left of right. Its not your
normal pump squeal. I replaced the steering box hoping to
eliminate some of the steering slop and now I have this issue. The other issue is the steering wheel will no longer return to center when turning a corner. I tried backing off
the adjusting screw on top of the box with gaining any results. Another one of my steering woes is darting back and forth on the road when hit big bumps or holes.
Anyone have any suggestions? I love the truck but it drives and brakes like a old truck.
steering box and power steering pump and I get this
irritating fluid circulation noise echoing up through the
steering column when turning left of right. Its not your
normal pump squeal. I replaced the steering box hoping to
eliminate some of the steering slop and now I have this issue. The other issue is the steering wheel will no longer return to center when turning a corner. I tried backing off
the adjusting screw on top of the box with gaining any results. Another one of my steering woes is darting back and forth on the road when hit big bumps or holes.
Anyone have any suggestions? I love the truck but it drives and brakes like a old truck.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, Colorado
I just replaced the parts on my 4x4's Ps setup and had the same noise...like a hydraulic fluid noise....it's the pump. I went through 3 before I got one that didn't grind all the time.
Like Starters, this is another component that doesn't often get properly rebuilt, despite what the parts dealer tells you...lol
Like Starters, this is another component that doesn't often get properly rebuilt, despite what the parts dealer tells you...lol
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Try Lifting the front wheels off the ground, fire the truck and turn the steering wheel bump to bump about 20 times.
Lucas make an excellent product for power steering treatment available at your favorite parts house. IMHO
John
Lucas make an excellent product for power steering treatment available at your favorite parts house. IMHO
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 1
From: redding U.S.A.
while low caster angle can cause the poor return to center, I think given the circumstance this is due to a snag in the steering system.
It sounds to me like you got a bad steering box.
Sometimes pumps squeal when new. After a few hundred miles if the noise does not disappear, get a replacement. Rebuilt parts are often questionable, especially when they involve somewhat specific tolerances.
It sounds to me like you got a bad steering box.
Sometimes pumps squeal when new. After a few hundred miles if the noise does not disappear, get a replacement. Rebuilt parts are often questionable, especially when they involve somewhat specific tolerances.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Sounds like steering box issues.
Like mentioned, try working the wheel lock to lock to help get rid of any air in the system. There is a spool valve inside that directs fluid to aide in turning, if that valve is hanging up, then it will be very unstable. Could just be the air in the system. Get that taken care of then see how it steers.
Watch how you turned that screw in the top of the box, as that will mess things up. It will loosen the backlash in the gears, making it wander worse.
Like mentioned, try working the wheel lock to lock to help get rid of any air in the system. There is a spool valve inside that directs fluid to aide in turning, if that valve is hanging up, then it will be very unstable. Could just be the air in the system. Get that taken care of then see how it steers.
Watch how you turned that screw in the top of the box, as that will mess things up. It will loosen the backlash in the gears, making it wander worse.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Old Truck Steering Issues
Thanks guys for the feedback.
I am to believe my problems are in the steering box also. It has been 2 years
and about 5,000 miles since I completed this truck and the noise I was hoping to go away has not. I had to laugh at the comment about replacing
the steering box 3 times before getting a good one. I bought mine from
Oreilly's also. As for the darting issue back and forth across the road still
has be puzzled. The front end has been aligned and I know it was done
correctly and all of the other steering components have been replaced or
verified to be good. The tires are even new. I had pretty well come to the
conclusion that this is as good as its going to get without some major
suspension changes. I would have like to drop the ride height but it just
involves to much without coughing up some cash and it gets to the point
enough is enough when I have a 67 Mustang Fastback that's tubbed and narrowed in the garage that need completed.
I am to believe my problems are in the steering box also. It has been 2 years
and about 5,000 miles since I completed this truck and the noise I was hoping to go away has not. I had to laugh at the comment about replacing
the steering box 3 times before getting a good one. I bought mine from
Oreilly's also. As for the darting issue back and forth across the road still
has be puzzled. The front end has been aligned and I know it was done
correctly and all of the other steering components have been replaced or
verified to be good. The tires are even new. I had pretty well come to the
conclusion that this is as good as its going to get without some major
suspension changes. I would have like to drop the ride height but it just
involves to much without coughing up some cash and it gets to the point
enough is enough when I have a 67 Mustang Fastback that's tubbed and narrowed in the garage that need completed.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Welcome to FTE
What P/S Gearbox do you have? Is it 2WD or 4WD?
Your truck is a 1968, correct?
2WD: Originally all 1966/68's and early 1969's came with the awful Bendix P/S.
Late 1969's, 1970's and later used the Ford system...which is 1000% better.
There was no 4WD P/S available till 1973.
What P/S Gearbox do you have? Is it 2WD or 4WD?
Your truck is a 1968, correct?
2WD: Originally all 1966/68's and early 1969's came with the awful Bendix P/S.
Late 1969's, 1970's and later used the Ford system...which is 1000% better.
There was no 4WD P/S available till 1973.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 1
Do u grease the front end yourself? Do the kingpins take grease ok on top and bottom. Could be one of the pins is trying to seize up. If this is the case, squirt some oil around kingpin and see if the "not returning to center" problem gets better.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Cont. Steering Issues
The Truck is a 68 and it is 2WD. As for which box I have to tell you the truth
I can't remember. I do have a 69 Ranger XLT that I bought a while back for
parts which has PS and PB which I will have to go look at to see if they are
the same. With the feedback everyone has proved I was planning to take
the box out of the 69 and put it in my black 68 to see what kind of results
I get. I have some pictures of my truck in the gallery, can you access them?
I new at this form and not sure of my posting.
I can't remember. I do have a 69 Ranger XLT that I bought a while back for
parts which has PS and PB which I will have to go look at to see if they are
the same. With the feedback everyone has proved I was planning to take
the box out of the 69 and put it in my black 68 to see what kind of results
I get. I have some pictures of my truck in the gallery, can you access them?
I new at this form and not sure of my posting.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
The Truck is a 68 and it is 2WD. As for which box I have to tell you the truth
I can't remember. I do have a 69 Ranger XLT that I bought a while back for
parts which has PS and PB which I will have to go look at to see if they are
the same. With the feedback everyone has proved I was planning to take
the box out of the 69 and put it in my black 68 to see what kind of results
I get. I have some pictures of my truck in the gallery, can you access them?
I new at this form and not sure of my posting.
I can't remember. I do have a 69 Ranger XLT that I bought a while back for
parts which has PS and PB which I will have to go look at to see if they are
the same. With the feedback everyone has proved I was planning to take
the box out of the 69 and put it in my black 68 to see what kind of results
I get. I have some pictures of my truck in the gallery, can you access them?
I new at this form and not sure of my posting.
1969's after serial #D96,001 have Ford P/S.
The pump and P/S hoses are different as is the steering column.
The serial # is the last 6 digits of the VIN.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Cont. Steering Issues
Thanks for the info. Mr. Ford Parts Guru. I will check the Vin# on my 69 to see if its the Ford or Bendix Steering Box. That makes me question, is there
a noticable difference between the two? I can't say I have really compaired the two, yet!
a noticable difference between the two? I can't say I have really compaired the two, yet!
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 466
Likes: 10
From: Albuquerque, NM
Check your axle pivot bushings, tie rods and centerlink, and steering coupling. If any of these are bad, a bump or pothole can pull you sideways. I have not had a bad steering box do that (yet).
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
What type of fluid our you using?? Old school fords needed type F b/caues it didn't foam as other fluids put air bubbles into your system. If that's ok i'd jack it up wheel off ground check wheel bearing for looseness tighten as needed. Check king pins by grabbing top and bottom of tire and shake for looseness like checking the wheel bearing but pay more attention to the k-pins. You may have to remove the the tie rod end link
to the spindles then check how the turns if you belive the steering box is good. This maybe where the wondering and not return to center unless the box is out of adjustment..Most wheel wobble i've come across was k-pin or tie-rod ends...My 2cents
orich
to the spindles then check how the turns if you belive the steering box is good. This maybe where the wondering and not return to center unless the box is out of adjustment..Most wheel wobble i've come across was k-pin or tie-rod ends...My 2cents
orich
