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

Steering lock adjustment?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 12:53 PM
  #1  
J1MMY's Avatar
J1MMY
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 5
From: Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Steering lock adjustment?

I guess I'm going to come under fire for this but I need LESS steering lock due to going lower with the truck and using positive offset rims (for more tuck when lowering). Any suggestions? I'm running the std box setup at the moment.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 06:34 PM
  #2  
81-F-150-Explorer's Avatar
81-F-150-Explorer
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I'm not sure I understand, however, I think you are wanting the turning radius of the front wheels to be shorter than it is now. IE: the front wheels won't turn as far from stop to stop.

The Spindle Arm stops are pressed into or are a part of the twin I beam. This is how steering radius is controlled.

There is no adjustment.

You would need to find longer stops and have them pressed into your existing Twin-I-Beams, if possible.

Spindle Arm Stop Specifications. 1981-F-100/F-350

F-100 : Kingpin and Ball Joint = 36.5 Degrees
F-150 : Kingpin = 36.8 / BallJoint = 36.5 Degrees
F-150 : Balljoint 4x4 = 36.0 (34.0 with 10x15 size tires)
F-250/F-350 : kingpin and Balljoint = 35.0
F-250 4x4 : Balljoint = 33.4
F-350 4x4 : Balljoint = 30.4

Hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:23 PM
  #3  
sckootter16's Avatar
sckootter16
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Butler PA
about the steering

I have a 81 ford f-150 I just but a 4 inch suspention lift under her and changed all the steering components. But I have a question when I turn the wheele to the right I get like 2 and aa half turns of the steering wheele and when i turn left I get 1 and a half yes I need a front end alighnmenst but could there be something else wrong or is that normal ? let me know please
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:37 PM
  #4  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by sckootter16
I have a 81 ford f-150 I just but a 4 inch suspention lift under her and changed all the steering components. But I have a question when I turn the wheele to the right I get like 2 and aa half turns of the steering wheele and when i turn left I get 1 and a half yes I need a front end alighnmenst but could there be something else wrong or is that normal ? let me know please

Turn both tie rod end adjustments to re-center the steering box.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:51 PM
  #5  
sckootter16's Avatar
sckootter16
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Butler PA
I dont understand please explain more
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:52 PM
  #6  
sckootter16's Avatar
sckootter16
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Butler PA
when I get it alighned if i tell them that about the steering will they fix it
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2009 | 02:35 PM
  #7  
81-F-150-Explorer's Avatar
81-F-150-Explorer
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by sckootter16
when I get it alighned if i tell them that about the steering will they fix it
Yes, some shops will.

Ask them to adjust the steering wheel/box centering along with the wheel alighnment. It will cost you extra though.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2009 | 10:28 PM
  #8  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by sckootter16
I dont understand please explain more
The tie rod end adjustments will shorten or lengthen the steering linkage length on that particular side. So picture this;

Both wheels are straight ahead and the steering wheel is locked in place. You go under the truck and shorten the driver's side linkage by 3 turns. So the driver's side front tire now points toward the center of the truck(or toes in) while the passenger side is still straight.

So now with the steering wheel still locked, you go to the passenger side and turn the adjuster 3 turns to make it longer. So now your passenger side tire is point out to the right if you are sitting in the driver's seat, and your driver's side is still pointing in, or is pointing to the right also if you are sitting in the driver's seat.

So what do you do now? You turn the steering wheel to the left to straighten both wheels back so they are pointing straight ahead and you are done..

The hard part for you is to figure out which way to go. Or just pick a direction, and if it gets worse, go the other way.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Benchwrench
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Sep 17, 2015 07:56 AM
Daforno
Nevada Chapter
2
Aug 23, 2015 09:47 AM
Jose A.
Aerostar
3
Apr 4, 2015 06:42 PM
Reef Tech
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
0
Oct 3, 2014 12:20 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:18 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE