Has anyone here replaced the steering box on their 2WD F150 XL? I need to and before I go removing parts, I was hoping someone could tell me about any pitfalls they encountered.

Truck is a 93 F150 XL 4.9L.


Thanks,

Justin

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Justin Grant
http://www.alexander-grant.com

 

I recently did the job myself and here are a few tips that should help you do the install.
Tools: 1/3\4 Wrench. Pitman arm puller SealKit(30$) Steering fluid, Tourque Wrench, SnapRing remover,Large Socket(to seat the new seal).

Start with your vehicle parked-steering wheels as straight as possible.(This helps lining everything up at the end)
Remove the Pitman Arm nut.
Remove the pitman arm to draglink nut.
You can use TieRod pliers or use your pitman arm puller to remove the draglink from the pitman arm. The rods are under pressure so be careful when you finally pop them free.

Get a drain pan setup and then remove the two bolts that secure the pitman arm assembly to the gearbox. These are located at the top of the gearbox. Important...dont mess with the bolt located in between the outside nuts. This is used for steering gear calibration and is a byatch to setup.
Once the bolts are free you can lift the steering gear clear of the gear box. Keep the unit clean in some rags and dont rotate the gear as it will spin freely.

Next remove the snap ring retainer and pry out the old seals being careful not to score the gearbox receiving shaft. Check for any wear and cleanup if necessary.
Lube up the new seal with a bit of steering fluid. Take note that the seal comes in two pieces. The hardened layer is the one that faces externally.
Use a large socket and hammer to gently and evenly seat the seal. Use the edge of the snaprings seating area to gauge how far to push the new seal in. Install the snapring.

Drop in the steering gear using care as the threads of the sector shaft pass thru the new seals. Once in place torque down the sector shaft bolts. You should be able to line up the Pitmarm and Draglink end and slip the pitmarm onto the sector shaft. Touque specs I believ are 225ftlbs but you better check your manual.

At this point if you wan't to setup your sector shaft tolerances you can by using a tourque wrench to test the play at TDC(should take 5ft/lbs to move the wheel)
If you didn't mess with the adjusting nut you can skip this and reconnect the draglink to the pitman arm. You will need a litte elbow grease to get this part done. I don't know if there is tool but I had one hand on my axle and just put my shoulders into it.

Once the tie rods are back on and torqued down. You are almost ready to go.

Fill the steering pump resovoir and crank over the engine. You will hear the pump complain so shut her down and refill the resovoir. You will have to do this a few times and also crank the wheels from lock to lock until you fill the fluid to the specified level on the dipstick.

Check for leaks and your done. When you take the vehicle for a test drive, if the steering feels stiff and you can't seem to keep it straight...do not drive the vehicle. This means that the sector shaft adjusting nut is too tight. You have the option of backing the nut off or taking it to a shop to have the whole steering done.

Those are my two cents and I guess I forgot to mention that this for Power steering. If anyone can think of anything else please reply.


WHaynes

 

Thanks for the details... More than I hoped for.

Thanks again!

Justin