Topic Sponsor
Pre- 1987 / Classic Corner Have a classic Ford F150 truck? Want a classic? Discuss your pre-1987 Ford F150 truck.

Sloppy Steering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2018 | 02:13 PM
  #11  
armybrat223's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Default

This worked for my '93 model. It drives straight and no vibration. However, the steering wheel is crooked when the wheels are straight. I'm guessing that's an alignment issue?
Reply
Old May 14, 2018 | 12:12 PM
  #12  
Braggs's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 307
Likes: 46
Default

Originally Posted by armybrat223
This worked for my '93 model. It drives straight and no vibration. However, the steering wheel is crooked when the wheels are straight. I'm guessing that's an alignment issue?
Yes, but this is something that you could do. On the steering components, find the power steering box. Mounted to it is the pitman arm which connects to the drag link (also called the center link). On this drag link somewhere is an adjustment band. Turn this a couple of rounds and see if it improves your steering wheel alignment to center. If the steering wheel is even further away, it means you turned the adjustment band in the wrong direction. Try it again. This only changes the distance between the pitman arm and the driving tire. Since the tires are connected with another rod, the distance between them won't change and cause alignment issues. Most vehicles use a similar setup (with a few exceptions).

Here's a diagram:
http://hosting.kyozou.com/mac/f250_steer.jpg
Reply
Old May 18, 2018 | 10:36 AM
  #13  
armybrat223's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by Braggs
Yes, but this is something that you could do. On the steering components, find the power steering box. Mounted to it is the pitman arm which connects to the drag link (also called the center link). On this drag link somewhere is an adjustment band. Turn this a couple of rounds and see if it improves your steering wheel alignment to center. If the steering wheel is even further away, it means you turned the adjustment band in the wrong direction. Try it again. This only changes the distance between the pitman arm and the driving tire. Since the tires are connected with another rod, the distance between them won't change and cause alignment issues. Most vehicles use a similar setup (with a few exceptions).

Here's a diagram:
http://hosting.kyozou.com/mac/f250_steer.jpg
Yes sir thanks for that info, I'll give this a try when I get a chance.
Reply
Old May 18, 2018 | 10:45 AM
  #14  
Steve83's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,256
Likes: 1,769
From: Memphis, TN, Earth, Milky Way
Default

That's NOT how to straighten the steering wheel - that's how to screw up the toe. You can't align any vehicle at home; least of all, one with inverted-Y steering linkage, like these trucks. Take it to an alignment shop with a modern optical alignment machine (big reflector panels that clamp to the wheels) and let them do it right.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:43 PM.