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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 12:33 AM
  #1  
74 F100 4x4's Avatar
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steering box

hi guys, new member here. i have lots of play in my steering wheel. i heard you can adjust them, dont know if i trust the person i heard it from and thought i would ask here.

Thanks
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 02:42 AM
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I would check all the other components before you adjust your steering box. Does yours have the power assist steering? Could just be a bad tie rod end or ball joint. If you adjust your box and go too far it will get where you have steering that has to be adjusted constently or could get stuck and not steer at all.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 08:07 AM
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Yeah, diffently check all your ball joints, tie rods, etc first. If everything is tight and you need to adjust your box, there is a "nut" on top of the box and inside the nut is a stem/bolt sticking up which has a slot for a screwdriver. Loosen the nut taking care that the bolt/threaded stem doesn't turn, then tighten the stem/bolt an 1/8 of a turn at a time and see if it improves your steering.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 09:32 AM
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i just rebuilt the front end, so i know its not ball joints or anything..and i wanted to talke to some people with knowledge of a truck like mine before i go out and spend money on a new box. thanks!!!!!!
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 05:53 PM
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I have a "spare" steering box. E-me if you're interested. I retrofitted the PS system from a 79 Bronco (and I really recommend doing it if you have not). Total cost was less than $300.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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don't mess with the box on the truck!! it needs to be adjusted on a hydro powered bench .
do your self the favor and get the newer upgrade 78/79 @ Steering Solutions talk to Randy or some one in your area
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Merke
don't mess with the box on the truck!! it needs to be adjusted on a hydro powered bench .
do your self the favor and get the newer upgrade 78/79 @ Steering Solutions talk to Randy or some one in your area
now im confused
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 11:53 PM
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Does your truck have manual or power steering and is it the steering assist with a manual box? That is what my 75 F-100 4x4 had originally. I converted to a 79 bronco box but I had different worm screw installed so it would steer the correct way. I am sure there are other ways to do it. Is your truck already converted?
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 12:00 AM
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good question.... im pretty sure its power steering.. i feel dumb now.. lol the difference between my box and the pic is that mine lays horizontal, not vertical.... and it has the nut and screw that a previous poster told me to loosen to adjust.. is that pic a "saginaw" power steeing unit? i've heard that term tossed around. how do i tell the difference between power assist and power steering? ill take a pic tomorrow and post it if i have to/
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 12:37 AM
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The power assist that was on mine had a control valve inline with the steering linkage that had 4 power steering lines coming off of it. The box itself was manual and a lot smaller than the bronco box. Two of the lines went to the power steering pump and the other to went to a hydraulic cylinder that helped steer the truck. I think all the boxes have that nut and screw for the worm gear adjustment. The pump that I have on my truck now is a newer ford pump wth the plastic resevoir.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 12:43 AM
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mine is power sterring then..i just have the lines goin to the pump. whats it take to convert it like yours?
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 02:12 AM
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Are the power steering lines coming off the steering box? If they are your truck has already had a conversion.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 02:41 AM
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yes, power assist has what looks like a steering stabilizer with lines going to it correct? i can picture it now because i have saw a power assist set up i believe now that you mentioned what the difference is.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 02:57 AM
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Does your truck have the power assist setup?
 
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 03:16 AM
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nope....mine is power steering... not assist.. whats it take to do the conversion like yours?
 
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