I have been reading alot about steering issues with the EX. I no doubt have a slight wander, at time, in my truck. But the bigger issue I have is a jerking in the steering wheel. It mostly occurs when I'm in a long turn or on roads that pitch back and forth. Which ever way I am turning the steering wheel does short jerks back the other way. Not bad just mainly very annoying. I does get bad at times on rougher roads and combined with some slack in my steering can get nerve racking. Any ideas on what this could be? I have had one mechanic tell me its my steering stabilizers and another told me it is something called an orbital valve in the steering box. He said it is a valve that equals out the pressure when turning left or right. I have know idea but am trying to figure out where to start on this thing. Oh and it already has new ball joints.

 

Sounds like bump steer, something your steering stabilizer is meant to help soften.

As for it possibly being your steering box, I'd call these guys Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home 1-800-808-1148 and ask them about that orbital valve thingy. They would know, and would steer you in the right direction. Pun intended.

I know when the time comes, that company will be supplying my new steering box.

Stewart

 

Agreed about bump steer... regardless of the answer you get about the Steering box, I would replace the steering dampener first... its a much cheaper repair, and valuable even if its not the cause of this specific problem.

 

I have the same thing re the wandering steering. A lot of play in the wheel and like the SIRed said, a little bump steer can send the truck drifting sideways a good half a foot or foot.

I feel like it's not as big an issue as it used to be, but that's probably more due to me adapting to the issue and being more vigilant about keeping two hands on the wheel. I am definitely considering getting a really good steering dampener put in though... I think there was a two-cam Rancho one I saw a while back... need to track down that link.

 

Adjust your steering box to remove the slop.

Locate the allen bolt and locknut on top of the steering box. It’s close to the radiator. The locknut should be a 5/8".

Mark the allen bolt so you’re oriented and know where the starting point is, then loosen the locknut. Turn the allen bolt clockwise a quarter turn to tighten the gear mesh. Tighten the locknut and road test your vehicle.

Be careful not to over-tighten the allen bolt. If you do, the steering may become too tight and get extremely stiff during a tight turn, possibly causing you to drive off the roadway.

Keep repeating the sequence, turning the allen bolt a ¼ turn at a time, followed by a test drive, until you're satisfied with the performance. If you over-tighten the allen bolt, turn the allen bolt back a quarter turn, counter-clockwise.

There is a risk of over tightening the box and causing it to wear out prematurely, so I suggest you tighten it to the point where the slop is gone, and no further.

Most people will turn the allen bolt three-quarters of a rotation to one and one half rotations before they’re happy with the results.

Stewart

 

I am getting ready to do this when the weather permits, is there any resistance on the allen bolt when getting close? I plan on doing it 1/4 turn at a time, but would like to know if there is resistance, as in the bolt pushing on the steering line etc.

 

i'll be doing this too soon, replaced the steering stabiliser and noticed a little difference , so hopefully adjusting the steering box will help further.

to be honest when i had my larger 20" wheels (lower profile tires) on it was worse.
gone back to the stock 16" wheels last week and feels better already.
these tires have much more give in them when hitting a hole in the road.

 

Thanks, Stewart. I am pretty much hopeless with everything beyond installing new wipers, but I may just open the hood and see if I can easily identify what it is you're describing here.

If I actually managed to fix this myself I'd be blown away.

 

Adrian , hang on a couple of minutes , i just took some photos to give you a better idea. uploading them to photobucket now.

its really easy if you have 5 foot long arms i think

 

hope these come out ok







crack the lock nut on the outside and turn the inner bolt with an allen key clockwise , not too much though otherwise you wont be able to turn your wheels at all.

hope they help you find it

 

Thx for those pics Marcus. I've been meaning to tighten my box for s couple months, and I'm sure I would have been able to do it without the pics, but a little verification goes a long way.... plus, I was under the impression that the locknut was on the bottom of tue box... haha

 

pretty sure the locknut is the one around the allen key socket you see in the middle , paint em on one side (and allow paint to dry) to make sure you know how far you have turned them

 

A very long extension will make life alot easier.

 

Haha! 5 foot arms!? I will jump in The Rack for a bit, see if I can stretch myself out.

Honestly, if I managed to pull this adjustment off successfully, my wife would have no choice but to admit I'm a real man. haha.

 

I think thats the reason i havent done this as yet , i cannot see myself across the fender and engine trying to get my hands down that far.

christ.....i get my ladder out when i do an oil change


ps my wife would just laugh at me , but hey dont you love em