play in steering wheel?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 408
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From: Curwensville,PA
play in steering wheel?
i know this is common to have some play on these years of trucks but mine has so much im a little worried to drive on the interstate....how do i fix this or atleast make it better? thanks
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 86
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From: Tallahassee, Fl.
After thoroughly checking out your tie rod ends and all the rest of the front end and steering linkage, you can loosen the jam nut on the steering box and tighten the slotted screw head a little. I turned mine less than 1/4 turn and it made a big difference. Pop the hood, look on top of the steering box for a nut with a slotted screw end sticking through it.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 75
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After thoroughly checking out your tie rod ends and all the rest of the front end and steering linkage, you can loosen the jam nut on the steering box and tighten the slotted screw head a little. I turned mine less than 1/4 turn and it made a big difference. Pop the hood, look on top of the steering box for a nut with a slotted screw end sticking through it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Just remember that adjusting the steering box is a LAST resort. It will not fix any loose components in the steering system and there are a lot of them. Tie rod ends, ball joints, axle pivot bushings, radius arm bushing, the steering shaft itself....
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
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I've had to deal with this on all the fords i've ever owned! Is there any aftermarket front end linkages that you can buy instead of having to replace the whole drag link etc...etc...
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New User
Joined: Jun 2010
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Oh, and to help with your problem, tightening of the steering gear box simply takes the gear mesh play out. You have to be pretty careful when doing that because if you go to much you will be replaceing your gearbox along with the front end components so go in slight increments. A thousanths of an inch isnt much to accomplish when turning a bolt.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bishopville, SC
I know this is an older thread but maybe this will help someone. I racked my brain for months over the play in my steering before I found the culprit. It ended up that the top portion of the steering shaft where it slips over the lower portion was wallowed out and it caused 2 to 3 inches of play. I only wish I had found it before replacing the steering gear box. Anyone with this issue be sure to check the shaft as well as the rag joint.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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I know this is an older thread but maybe this will help someone. I racked my brain for months over the play in my steering before I found the culprit. It ended up that the top portion of the steering shaft where it slips over the lower portion was wallowed out and it caused 2 to 3 inches of play. I only wish I had found it before replacing the steering gear box. Anyone with this issue be sure to check the shaft as well as the rag joint.
BigLar
