online store, message boards, mailing list, pictures, technical information, product directory ford truck information, svt lightning information, f150 information, f-150 information, f250 information
Home Discussion Forums Photo Gallery Product Directory Technical Articles Recalls & TSB's Product Reviews Classifieds Ford & Industry News Event Calendar Advertise with us
F150online Forums



Look for a USED Ford F150
Carsdirect.com

Go Back   F150online Forums > F-Series Trucks > Pre-1997 Models

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-08-2009, 05:37 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14
steering loose? ahhhhh another problem

I can turn the steering wheel about 4 inches in either direction before it actuall y turns the wheels, its more noticeable in the highway because the truck moves all over the road till i move it to the left or to try right to try and keep it straight. I would like some sort of picture showing me the adjustments that I will need to make and an explanation of how to make them.
Any help would be much appreciated...

Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-08-2009, 05:50 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: West Chester, PA
Vehicle: 1991 Ford F150
Posts: 57
My '91 has an adjustable steering box. It's located on the driver's side of the engine and is slightly to the right of the bottom of the radiator. The box has an adjustable core that protrudes from the top and is held down by a nut; 5/8ths or there abouts. Loosen the nut and turn the core clockwise with a flat tipped screwdriver. My truck needed adjustment after I went to bigger tires, I ended up giving it one full turn. But I would suggest going slow. Make an adjustment, drive it, and then adjust some more if needed. You want it to be tight but not so tight that the steering wheel doesn't bring itself back to center after you make a turn.

Also, what is your fluid level like? Any leaks? Does the pump make a whining noise when you turn?

If this kind of play in the steering happened suddenly you might want to make sure all of the parts are functioning correctly before you make an adjustment.
__________________

1991 Ford F150 XLT Lariat
5 Speed - 5.0 - 94K and counting.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-08-2009, 06:22 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by LostAtSea85 View Post
My '91 has an adjustable steering box. It's located on the driver's side of the engine and is slightly to the right of the bottom of the radiator. The box has an adjustable core that protrudes from the top and is held down by a nut; 5/8ths or there abouts. Loosen the nut and turn the core clockwise with a flat tipped screwdriver. My truck needed adjustment after I went to bigger tires, I ended up giving it one full turn. But I would suggest going slow. Make an adjustment, drive it, and then adjust some more if needed. You want it to be tight but not so tight that the steering wheel doesn't bring itself back to center after you make a turn.

Also, what is your fluid level like? Any leaks? Does the pump make a whining noise when you turn?

If this kind of play in the steering happened suddenly you might want to make sure all of the parts are functioning correctly before you make an adjustment.

This is a replacement motor with all accesories so th epump has 60k on it. New fluid, no leaks. I feels like its more than the power steering box but dont know too much of these systems, so I'm checking one thing at a time.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-08-2009, 11:04 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Copley, Ohio
Vehicle: 1996 Ford F150
Posts: 1,812
Check your steering linkage FIRST before you screw around with the box. BTW If you get the box adjustment wrong you will trash it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-08-2009, 11:09 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Memphis, TN, USA
Vehicle: 1983 Ford Bronco
Posts: 3,460
Start by having an assistant move the steering wheel as far back & forth as possible WITHOUT moving the front wheels. You open the hood & crawl around under the truck finding where the motion stops. That's where the fault is.

. . . . .

Is it 2- or 4WD?



Also check the intermediate steering shaft (rag joint), wheel bearings, & lug nuts.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-27-2009, 06:28 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Vehicle: 1985 Ford F150
Posts: 36
i just replaced a power steering on saturday. i had the same problem you did. we jacked the truck up and took off the passenger side tire, took steering linkage off, took the fender out, and then took the steering box out and swapped the other in. cleared problem up
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-02-2009, 10:48 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by gears2 View Post
i just replaced a power steering on saturday. i had the same problem you did. we jacked the truck up and took off the passenger side tire, took steering linkage off, took the fender out, and then took the steering box out and swapped the other in. cleared problem up
I adjusted the screw on the steering box, feels much better now. I jacked up the truck from the frame and moved the steering by holding the tire and moving it, to check for spack and bingo!, there is a about 1/8 of an inch of play but its at the column...is ther adjustment up there?

other than that, I just ordered a steering stabilizer for my truck..
Reply With Quote


Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:52 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0
 
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company
Contact Us Advertising Terms of Use Privacy Statement Jobs Forum Text Archives