loose/sloppy steering.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 2
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loose/sloppy steering.
Hi everyone,I recently purchased a 1994 Bronco and have been working to address some sloppy steering issues. This spring, I replaced the power steering pump, steering box, steering shaft, and tie rods.Despite these new parts, the steering feels even looser than before. I’ve noticed that when I turn the steering wheel, the shaft moves but the pitman arm does not. This leads me to believe the issue is with the new steering box, which was a remanufactured unit from a local parts store.Is there anything I can do to adjust or fix this, or is it likely a defective unit? If I need to replace it again, what brands or specific steering boxes do you recommend for the best results?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Check the lower steering shaft
The one with the rag joint
They get loose where they collapse if in a wreck
Easier to check that shaft with the engine off
How tight are the ball joints?
If the lowers get loose, the main complaint is wander
Men overhaul those steering boxes and none have 30 years experience with them
Some gears leave the rebuilder too tight on the sector shaft adjustment
Sounds like yours might be too loose
Tighten yours in 1/4 turn increments until you feel it getting tight going over center in the middle of the gear travel
Then back it off until it has zero looseness and is not binding up at center
You realize, those gears, (sector shaft to control valve piston), mesh less tight as you turn the wheel, (have play), so if your clear vision is off, your gear will be off center and WILL be loose due to the alignment issue
The one with the rag joint
They get loose where they collapse if in a wreck
Easier to check that shaft with the engine off
How tight are the ball joints?
If the lowers get loose, the main complaint is wander
Men overhaul those steering boxes and none have 30 years experience with them
Some gears leave the rebuilder too tight on the sector shaft adjustment
Sounds like yours might be too loose
Tighten yours in 1/4 turn increments until you feel it getting tight going over center in the middle of the gear travel
Then back it off until it has zero looseness and is not binding up at center
You realize, those gears, (sector shaft to control valve piston), mesh less tight as you turn the wheel, (have play), so if your clear vision is off, your gear will be off center and WILL be loose due to the alignment issue
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Check the lower steering shaft
The one with the rag joint
They get loose where they collapse if in a wreck
Easier to check that shaft with the engine off
How tight are the ball joints?
If the lowers get loose, the main complaint is wander
Men overhaul those steering boxes and none have 30 years experience with them
Some gears leave the rebuilder too tight on the sector shaft adjustment
Sounds like yours might be too loose
Tighten yours in 1/4 turn increments until you feel it getting tight going over center in the middle of the gear travel
Then back it off until it has zero looseness and is not binding up at center
You realize, those gears, (sector shaft to control valve piston), mesh less tight as you turn the wheel, (have play), so if your clear vision is off, your gear will be off center and WILL be loose due to the alignment issue
The one with the rag joint
They get loose where they collapse if in a wreck
Easier to check that shaft with the engine off
How tight are the ball joints?
If the lowers get loose, the main complaint is wander
Men overhaul those steering boxes and none have 30 years experience with them
Some gears leave the rebuilder too tight on the sector shaft adjustment
Sounds like yours might be too loose
Tighten yours in 1/4 turn increments until you feel it getting tight going over center in the middle of the gear travel
Then back it off until it has zero looseness and is not binding up at center
You realize, those gears, (sector shaft to control valve piston), mesh less tight as you turn the wheel, (have play), so if your clear vision is off, your gear will be off center and WILL be loose due to the alignment issue
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Right, whenever I removed a knuckle for ball joint replacement I made them do both
It's easier to replace them both at once and the labor is the expensive part anyway
So right, do both ball joints on the affected side
Get under the hood to inspect the lower shaft and rotate it around with the key in half click so it will rotate
You don't need a shop to diagnose a loose steering lower shaft and the sector shaft adjustment the same
The shop boys, unless you find an old man will have very little experience adjusting a sector shaft
New racks have a plug and a yoke adjustment, but nobody does that either these days but the dealer and even then, very far and few between
It's easier to replace them both at once and the labor is the expensive part anyway
So right, do both ball joints on the affected side
Get under the hood to inspect the lower shaft and rotate it around with the key in half click so it will rotate
You don't need a shop to diagnose a loose steering lower shaft and the sector shaft adjustment the same
The shop boys, unless you find an old man will have very little experience adjusting a sector shaft
New racks have a plug and a yoke adjustment, but nobody does that either these days but the dealer and even then, very far and few between
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