Steering woes
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 3
Steering woes
My 64 had the same problem at one time. It turned out to be an uneven wear on the front tires. I didnt have the problem all of the time, but more frequently as the tires wore. If it is the steering box, you should have exessive slop in the steering wheel. 1/16 to 1/8 of a turn is normal.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan, KS
Steering woes
Replace the coupler disc that goes between the column and the box. You can get them at oreillys for around 10 bucks. This solved my problem. The discs take alot of wear and tear over the many years.
New User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Steering woes
The '61 should be identical to my '64, which does not have a coupler like later trucks (solid shaft). The simplest way to check for slop in the steering gear is to watch the pitman arm (outer lefthand side of framerail) as the steering wheel is moved gently side to side. If the wheel can move more than a little without resultant movement at the pitman arm, the steering gear is worn. Other likely problems are bad king pins (causes wandering and hard steering) or tie rod ends. My '64 has been afflicted with all of the above in the past! Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Steering woes
That thing has tie rod ends doesn't it? Check them first. You can take some of the slop out of the steering box by loosening the lock nut and turning down the adjusting bolt on the top of the box.
Been there, done that.
Been there, done that.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ramrod587
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 1, 2013 02:11 PM
oldblue31
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
3
Mar 21, 2006 12:41 AM
