fatboi07

A friend of mine told me on top of the steering box there should be a nut/screw you can turn to tighten up the box and nix out some of my steering wheel freeplay. This true?

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

Yes, it's true. Loosen the locknut and tighten the shaft. Hold the shaft still when tightening the locknut. Don't go too tight or the steering gear will wear excessively.

fatboi07

There he is, i was waiting for you to log on. I knew as soon as you did I would have the answers to my questions. Yeah old trucks getting alot of work so youll probably see at least a few posts from meh. You wouldnt be able to pull up a pic of this so called shaft and locknut would ya?

oldmanb777

BEFORE you adjust the steering box. There is a specific proceedure to set the load on the worm gear. Yes you can tighten the screw on the top of the box easy enough. However BEFORE you do, look at the shaft going from the steering wheel to the steering box. It is called an intermediate shaft. Open the hood, locate the shaft comming from the firewall to the steering box. The shaft is a 2 peice arangement that telescopes in case of an accident. the spot where it telescopes there is probably play there. Have someone "play" the steering wheel while you hold the lower shaft and look for play. Most vehicles I have seen have play there. It's enough to be scary in many trucks, not just Fords. The replacement part is made by Borgeson, and cost$$$$$$$ about $300. If you have play anywhere in your steering system, tightening the steering box won't help.

fatboi07

Is it metal?

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I just tried to get a picture but I couldn't get a decent one. It's clearly visible on top of the box. It would be best to check everything else for slop first as suggested. Several people have found excess slop in the steering shaft, while on mine the drag link was causing lots of play.

oldmanb777

Yes the shaft is metal. Hard to miss. Just look for a long rod extending from the firewall to the steering box.

tailgatefisher

I was about to ask the same question myself.

If marking the steering wheel at both play areas of turning right (mark the top of the steerring wheel) then left (mark the top again). How much play (aprox.) should there be measured using a measuring tape from point to point?

My truck now has about 2-1/4 inches.

oldmanb777

Almost NONE! Less is better. anything more than 1/4 inch, I would consider lots.

fatboi07

Mines got about 7. I went to the shop today (local olympco shop) and went to get an alignment. He said ok Ill check to make sure nothing to wore out to do an alignment (which I knew they do anyway) so he comes back a few minutes later and basically told me the inner tie rod is shot, and needs new upper and lower ball joints. My quote was over $900 (i think it was $965 ish.) That sound a little high to anyone else?