Loose Steering Gear Box
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 115
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Loose Steering Gear Box
I have a1995 f150 5.0L v8 4x4. I have a red head steering gear box that doesn't even have 10k miles on it yet and it have play in my steering. I believe it is in the gear box not linkage. I can go to the steering shaft and turn it with my hand and it sounds like something is moving in the box but its there's play before it gets hard to move (when it actually wants to turn the pitman arm).
I don't know why it would be loose already, its practically new. I know you can adjust how the gears mesh but I've heard against doing that. Any ideas?
I don't know why it would be loose already, its practically new. I know you can adjust how the gears mesh but I've heard against doing that. Any ideas?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 82
Likes: 12
From: Clinton, Tennessee
Just adjust the play in the steering? Loosen the big nut but keep an wrench on the smaller nut so it doesn't turn when you loosen the big nut . Turn the small nut clockwise to take play out of it and counter clock wise to add play. Be sure to hold the small nut stationary while tightening or loosening the big nut or it will make your adjustment non measurable and return everything back to where it was before 
If this makes sense
If this makes sense
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 115
Likes: 7
Just adjust the play in the steering? Loosen the big nut but keep an wrench on the smaller nut so it doesn't turn when you loosen the big nut . Turn the small nut clockwise to take play out of it and counter clock wise to add play. Be sure to hold the small nut stationary while tightening or loosening the big nut or it will make your adjustment non measurable and return everything back to where it was before
If this makes sense
If this makes sense
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 115
Likes: 7
I think I know what you're talking about. One is a nut and the part i turn to actually adjust requires a hex key, right? That i believe is what will eventually grind the gears down.
New User
Joined: Jan 2021
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First, I did a bit of looking and you should be talking to Red Head. I don't know their reputation but they can give you input. What follows is for others as well as yourself on the general approach to these. Red Head should be responsive to the issue and may recommend the same per below or ask for it back. If not responsive that tells you what you need to know about Red Head.
To add in, there is a shaft atop the box with a nut locking it.
What you want to do is jack up and support the front with two Jack Stands preferably (we always called them safety jacks) but timbers work though you want it solid for safety.
With the front floating free, you can loose the lock nut and tighten the screw a bit at a time moving the steering wheel back and forth. Right now you should have a lot of slop (before loosening). Don't go big, as small an adjustment as you can see. Good to mark it with paint or ?
As you tighten screw it down you will get less slop.
To add in, there is a shaft atop the box with a nut locking it.
What you want to do is jack up and support the front with two Jack Stands preferably (we always called them safety jacks) but timbers work though you want it solid for safety.
With the front floating free, you can loose the lock nut and tighten the screw a bit at a time moving the steering wheel back and forth. Right now you should have a lot of slop (before loosening). Don't go big, as small an adjustment as you can see. Good to mark it with paint or ?
As you tighten screw it down you will get less slop.
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