Drag link - too much play?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Madison, WI
Drag link - too much play?
1995 F-250 PowerSmoke 4x4, 5-speed, aprx. 151,000 miles
Trying to determine if the movement of the steering drag link is "normal movement" or "play". Purchased at aprx. 147,000, PO kept pretty good service records. Don't have 'em handy, but I _think_ he had all the steering and suspension ball joints replaced at some time. It's my wife's DD, and she came home today reporting apparent looseness in steering. It's dark and cold so I haven't had a chance to inspect thoroughly, but I noticed that I can "rotate" the drag link a few degrees when I grab it with a gloved hand. I can't really muster any side-to-side play.
I shot some short videos to show how the drag link rides on each of the ball joints associated with it. There's a "portal" page here: Too much play . Videos are kinda big, I'm afraid, 4-6 MB, about 20 seconds to download on DSL. Anyone willing to look, lemme know if the "rocking" you see is normal or excessive.
Thanks.
Trying to determine if the movement of the steering drag link is "normal movement" or "play". Purchased at aprx. 147,000, PO kept pretty good service records. Don't have 'em handy, but I _think_ he had all the steering and suspension ball joints replaced at some time. It's my wife's DD, and she came home today reporting apparent looseness in steering. It's dark and cold so I haven't had a chance to inspect thoroughly, but I noticed that I can "rotate" the drag link a few degrees when I grab it with a gloved hand. I can't really muster any side-to-side play.
I shot some short videos to show how the drag link rides on each of the ball joints associated with it. There's a "portal" page here: Too much play . Videos are kinda big, I'm afraid, 4-6 MB, about 20 seconds to download on DSL. Anyone willing to look, lemme know if the "rocking" you see is normal or excessive.
Thanks.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
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From: Madison, WI
More on the general looseness issue. When I turn the steering wheel even slightly, I hear a little noise downstream. Something less than a "thunk", and def'ly not a "click". I reached in under the hood and turned the column shaft and was able to narrow down the noise to around the steering box. Couldn't tell if it was inside the box, or where the shaft goes in, or the pitman arm attachment, or maybe the whole box itself being loose. I can produce the sound with just the slightest turn of the shaft, without even having the boost of the power steering pump.
Also, Julie reported that the looseness came on suddenly, all at once, during a sharp turn.
Also, Julie reported that the looseness came on suddenly, all at once, during a sharp turn.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Thanks, K, that's on my list of suspects. I consulted the service manual, and the not-surprisingly lame drawing shows a joint under that plastic shroud, but it doesn't indicate if the joint can be repaired/replaced, or I'd have to replace the shaft and/or gearbox.
She's thinking about upgrading to one of those Red-head brand gear boxes anyway; some say the generic gearbox is a bit insubstantial given the weight of a PowerStroke. Anybody here have any thoughts, opinions, etc. on this? If she goes for a Red-head, she can select the ratio; any thoughts on this?
She's thinking about upgrading to one of those Red-head brand gear boxes anyway; some say the generic gearbox is a bit insubstantial given the weight of a PowerStroke. Anybody here have any thoughts, opinions, etc. on this? If she goes for a Red-head, she can select the ratio; any thoughts on this?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Maricopa, AZ
However, in my opinion, if you can rock the joint easily by hand, it's time to replace them. The forces on those joints are a lot more than you can generate by hand when you are driving down the road.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Fits 1992/98 F250/350 & F(Super Duty) over 8500 lbs. GVW.
MSRP: $278.47 // FTEpartsguy.com price: $200.50
-------------------------------------------------
E9TZ3304F .. Draglink
Fits: 1992/97 F250 4WD over 8500 lbs. GVW.
MSRP: $79.98 // FTEpartsguy.com price: $38.39.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
I didn't try to load the video at work(wayyyy to slow here). I just know there will be rotational play as the socket pivots around the ball. It's when the socket moves OFF the ball when you have real problems.
Granted when new, the tightness will be there and rotating it will take more effort. I don't consider that wear. Only when I can "click" the socket off the ball is when I think it's worn.
Granted when new, the tightness will be there and rotating it will take more effort. I don't consider that wear. Only when I can "click" the socket off the ball is when I think it's worn.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
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From: Madison, WI
Thanks all; I've determined that the joints are good (all have zerk fittings - must be replacements). You can't rock the drag link without a glove on your hand.
It's the steering box. I can get a mm or so of "jiggle" when I grab the column shaft under the hood and pull-push it sideways. Feeling around with my other hand, it doesn't appear to be in the joint just outside the box, so I assume that whatever bearing the spline on the gearbox rides on is worn. We're putting in a new steering box, and that raises a question. I've read that in other vehicles, synthetic ATF makes for a good "upgrade" for P/S fluid. Is that a good idea in this truck?
It's the steering box. I can get a mm or so of "jiggle" when I grab the column shaft under the hood and pull-push it sideways. Feeling around with my other hand, it doesn't appear to be in the joint just outside the box, so I assume that whatever bearing the spline on the gearbox rides on is worn. We're putting in a new steering box, and that raises a question. I've read that in other vehicles, synthetic ATF makes for a good "upgrade" for P/S fluid. Is that a good idea in this truck?
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