I have a 76 F250 4x4 (highboy) with a Power steering linkage system (power assist). I have about 1 1/2" of play before the gear starts to engage. It looks like the steering shaft u-joints are good and the linkage tight. I know you can adjust the Integral-type steering gears and the manual worm and roller type gears. But I don't think you can on mine. Do I need to replace the gear with a remanufactured one? I realize the best way to go is to replace the power assist with the integral-type power steering but I don't want to go that far. The power assist on my truck seems to work fairly well except for the excessive play. Any help would be appreciated...

 

Iwould replace the Ujoint in your steering shaft, first. Next, set the front of your truck on stands and then have a friend turn the wheel lock to lock while you observe. Check your draglink between both front wheels. If you need to replace it be sure and take a relative width measurement for a total width , but , also measure the amount of Unused rod on each end. Also , your ball joints can contribute to the overall "looseness" of the front end. I had to replace mine and it helped greatly. *** in kansas putouts a catalogue which shows all the major parts(will probably be bliped--but i tried) and is very good reference material ...even if you don't order anything from them. Anew draglink is about 230 and the tierod end is about 30 or so. Acompany called "Rare Parts" is who actually makes the draglink , but i don't know if you can order from them directly. If your SMART you will (sooner or later) make the conversion over too the 78-79 power steering updated system that Ford started incorporating into their trucks. You can buy the Parts for the conversion for the same cost as you will pay too maintain that infernal system that came on the truck... I'm fixing to start my conversion very shortly........fd