Wandering steering
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Grand Rapids
Wandering steering
Just bought this old F250 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/961658-newbie.html The power steering is wandering a little.I'm constantly compensating and the wheel is off center. I'm quite handy around vehicles but never been around a truck before and never dealt with power steering issues Anyone any ideas what its likely to be and is it something I can fix myself ?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,111
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From: Lexington Mo
Do you feel slack in the steering wheel, with the truck sitting still, not running? Possibly a "Wrag Joint" have you checked the front suspension, is it on oversized tires and suspension lifted?
Unk Bob
Unk Bob
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From: Grand Rapids
Yeah there's a little slack. I can turn it just less than a quarter turn each way before I feel resistance with the engine off. Suspension looks and feels ok. It doesnt pitch and roll on cornering and theres no clunking or grinding which is usually associated with suspension joint wear. Its not lifted and has the original wheels.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Lexington Mo
To see if your truck has a "Wrag Joint" pop the hood, looking at the firewall. Find the steering shaft, fallow it towards the steering box. You may come to a disc shaped joint that connects the shaft to the steering box. Grab the shaft and wiggle it side to side. If that Wrag Joint is bad, you'll see the shaft moving, and see where the joint is bad.
Unk Bob
Unk Bob
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From: Grand Rapids
There's a plastic boot over the joint where it enters the box (See pic). If I grab the shaft and wiggle it there doesn't seem to be excessive free play. A little movement of perhaps a few millimeters which I think is normal?
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Grand Rapids
More pics and video
Well I finally got the cover off. I took one photo and videoed myself movingthe steering column. I start by trying to rotate the shaft left and right and end with an up and down movement. There does seem to be some up and down free play. Would that warrant changing the rag joint or is the gear worn?
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******** width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aOyDfWW-XhI&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aOyDfWW-XhI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed>*********>
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Not to hi-jack but...
Anyone have any good picture of how the rag joint attatches to the column? Im replacing mine because it wasnt there when i bought it(
). so now I need to figure out how it attaches. the column shaft is not splined.
Anyone have any good picture of how the rag joint attatches to the column? Im replacing mine because it wasnt there when i bought it(
). so now I need to figure out how it attaches. the column shaft is not splined.
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Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
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From: Maine (NorCal Native)
I could get you whatever picture you need, but you really should start your own thread.
I'm not sure what you need, the rag joint attaches to the gearbox and lower steering shaft, the lower steering shaft connects the rag joint to the upper joint, the upper joint connects to the upper steering shaft. (column shaft)
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
I'm not sure what you need, the rag joint attaches to the gearbox and lower steering shaft, the lower steering shaft connects the rag joint to the upper joint, the upper joint connects to the upper steering shaft. (column shaft)
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 286
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From: hesperia calif.
Maybe this new part will help.
1980-96 NEW Ford Steering Rag Joint Coupler: eBay Motors (item 260350973998 end time Jul-16-10 11:04:47 PDT)
1980-96 NEW Ford Steering Rag Joint Coupler: eBay Motors (item 260350973998 end time Jul-16-10 11:04:47 PDT)
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
No No No No ... Thats a Lares joint and it is garbage!
It doesn't fit correctly and has to be jacked with, I have one installed and had to make custom shoulder bolts to get it solid ... I am now replacing it with a shaft from a '91 and this Steering Universal Joint / Vibration Damper, Steel, 3/4-36 X 3/4DD.
The only good rag joints I found were pricey ... the Borgeson OEM rag joints.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
It doesn't fit correctly and has to be jacked with, I have one installed and had to make custom shoulder bolts to get it solid ... I am now replacing it with a shaft from a '91 and this Steering Universal Joint / Vibration Damper, Steel, 3/4-36 X 3/4DD.
The only good rag joints I found were pricey ... the Borgeson OEM rag joints.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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