steering too easy?
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From: nevada
steering too easy?
What can I do to firm up the power steering on my '72 F100? since I yanked the manual and went to power a few yrs ago, I don't get any feedback to the wheel. Maybe I just got used to manhandling the wheel with manual and 33" tires for 15 yrs. It just steers too darn easy.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Maybe it's got too much play in the system?
How much play has it got?
I used a tape measure so I wasn't fooling myself. (YMMV on that;)
Sit in the drive way and just rock it back and forth.
(and it's ok if you make BRRrrBRRrrr sounds while doing that;)
Alvin in AZ
How much play has it got?
I used a tape measure so I wasn't fooling myself. (YMMV on that;)
Sit in the drive way and just rock it back and forth.
(and it's ok if you make BRRrrBRRrrr sounds while doing that;)
Alvin in AZ
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on the top of your steering box there is a nut with a screw in it, and like tightning bands on a tranny, just loosen the nut then tighten the screw a half turn the tighten the nut, take it for a drive, if it works then YAY, but if not good enough yet, repeat the prosess
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Yeah Mate but there's other things need looking into first tho. :)
Get someone to rock the steering wheel back and forth while you get under
there and feel for play in all the different joints in the steering system. Have
'em rock it short and long as you need it. You decide just how many of those
joints you want to replace/fix.
A worn steering gear's "bearings;)" will show themselves as the sector shaft
will -first- move to the side -before- it twists. (that was the big one for me)
There are threads about it and so far only know of one other guy that had
their steering gear line-bored, some have bought them all setup and ready
to go.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...x-install.html
Alvin in AZ
ps- the machine shop needs to be setup to do the job already or it's like
$300 otherwise it's like $100, mine was $75 but I supplied the bearings ;)
Get someone to rock the steering wheel back and forth while you get under
there and feel for play in all the different joints in the steering system. Have
'em rock it short and long as you need it. You decide just how many of those
joints you want to replace/fix.
A worn steering gear's "bearings;)" will show themselves as the sector shaft
will -first- move to the side -before- it twists. (that was the big one for me)
There are threads about it and so far only know of one other guy that had
their steering gear line-bored, some have bought them all setup and ready
to go.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...x-install.html
Alvin in AZ
ps- the machine shop needs to be setup to do the job already or it's like
$300 otherwise it's like $100, mine was $75 but I supplied the bearings ;)
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
on the top of your steering box there is a nut with a screw in it, and like tightning bands on a tranny, just loosen the nut then tighten the screw a half turn the tighten the nut, take it for a drive, if it works then YAY, but if not good enough yet, repeat the prosess
The Ford power steering system is overboosted, plain and simple. Nice when turning into a tight parking spot, but no feedback. This is typical of the era, though. Luxury features were for luxury, not performance.
One way to get some feel is to increase the caster, but that's not easy on these early I-beams. You might be able to find a shop that can do it, but not many have people with the knowledge anymore.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 5
I am going to do a power steering and disk break conversion from a '79 F150 would it be worth it to do this swap.
I am 17 the truck is going to my daily driver here when i get my license in a couple of weeks. so lemme know
I am 17 the truck is going to my daily driver here when i get my license in a couple of weeks. so lemme know
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 183
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it is a worthwhile swap, but make dang sure that it'll work right, i think it will, just drop the beams from the center pivots and put up the new ones, i suggest changing all your bucshings while your under there. then swap in the mastercylander and booster(if acclabale) and bleed the brakes and that should do it, oh also try to get new brake parts and bearings, just to make it all the much better. i dont think the power steering boxes will intercgenge , but im probly wrong on that, but good luck anyways
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Follow this article, and you'll be set:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._2wd_6572.html
Yes, the swap is worth it, I took a bunch of pics and have all the parts and tools needed listed out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._2wd_6572.html
Yes, the swap is worth it, I took a bunch of pics and have all the parts and tools needed listed out.
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From: nevada
Thanks for all replies. I should have mentioned that this is a 4 wheeler, and there is NO play in any moving parts. I think Ford Six hit the nail. i can turn the wheel 1/2", and both tires start to move. Also had the wife tweak the wheel, while I was under there, and detected nothing that wasnt tight. Maybe when i get older, I will welcome this girly steering. This truck came from the factory with manual steering, which I manhandled for 15 yrs. So now I'm at the other end of the effort scale, which I guess is the better of two probs.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
How's the steering set up? If you put on a Toyota box or similar and have the drag link going to the tie rod, watch for the tie rod twisting. That is normal with that style of steering, and will cause a vague and wandering feel. If you were to run the link to the top of the right hand steering arm, that would eliminate that source of play.
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From: nevada
This was a kit I bought from a guy in Iowa several yrs ago. Nothing is dif from stock underneath, except a little cutting and welding. If I remember right, we cut the drag link, and steering rod. Would have to look to see what box it has on it, but I know its not a Toy setup. I dont get any wandering on the road, it goes straight and the truck feels tight. Its just doesnt take any effort to steer.
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From: nevada
stabilizer
I do have a single stabilizer on it. Maybe I should go to a dual setup, as this should provide a little more resistance. I'm sure the whole thing is the overboost that Ford Six had mentioned. But now that this is not my daily driver anymore, this prob has moved down the priority list.
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