Play in steering

[FordF-SuperDuty]

Well, I have a bit of play in my steering. What do you guys think would be the best way to go about fixing it?

 

[DNFXDLI]

Have you checked the tie rod ends etc.?

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

Have you checked the tie rod ends etc.?

Both front tie-rods were replaced right before I bought it.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Both front tie-rods were replaced right before I bought it.

Have you checked them?...as well as the rest of the components for play?

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

Have you checked them?...as well as the rest of the components for play?

How would I go about doing that. Yes, I know that sounds stupid.

 

[DNFXDLI]

How would I go about doing that. Yes, I know that sounds stupid.

There are no stupid questions Taylor when you are not sure of something....I normally have a second person move the steering wheel from say 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock while I look at all the parts...tie rod ends, drag ling, etc and see it there is excessive movement in one part before the other part it is attached to begins to move...engine does not have to be running for power steering while you are doing that.

 

[5.0Flareside]

there could be a adjustment screw in the steering box... spin it clock wise just a half turn or so and see if that helps.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

there could be a adjustment screw in the steering box... spin it clock wise just a half turn or so and see if that helps.

Do not even attempt this until you verify that everything else is tight. This is like the last solution to the problem not the first.

 

[5.0Flareside]

thats what i was meaning...w as in a rush and didnt mention that...

 

[Skandocious]

there could be a adjustment screw in the steering box... spin it clock wise just a half turn or so and see if that helps.

This will generally only bandaid the problem. The steering will loosen back up soon after and when it does, it'll be worse than before you tightened the adjuster.

I've come to learn that these gen 8-9 F150s (150's specifically) just plain have sloppy steering. It's unfortunate but true... Changed my tie rods to all Moog parts (did it myself), had it aligned and it was still sloppy on the way home.

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

This will generally only bandaid the problem. The steering will loosen back up soon after and when it does, it'll be worse than before you tightened the adjuster.

I've come to learn that these gen 8-9 F150s (150's specifically) just plain have sloppy steering. It's unfortunate but true... Changed my tie rods to all Moog parts (did it myself), had it aligned and it was still sloppy on the way home.

This seems to be the general consensus.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Yup, like Duncan already said...check the other parts that can wear out over time. if it is indeed the steering box, just drop the coin on a new one. In my experience,as stated, adjusting the box and resealing them is just a bandaid.

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

So if it was the Steering Box would you rather have an A1Cardone or an ATSCO rebuilt unit.

 

[LEB Ben]

My first question is what are you considering sloppy? While I agree with Chris that some sterring systems seem tighter than others, are you considering your system sloppy to the standard? Or you have a 1/4 turn of play in the wheel?

I'm with everyone else, don't even touch or look at the steering box, IMO...if it needs adjusting, it needs replacing, and you can do more harm than good 'fiddling' with it.

Start with what Duncan said, there are several joints and links and doo-hickies that might have play in them, starting just behind the steering wheel, all the way down to the knuckle area. It may or may not be obvious what part needs replacing either, it may be a culmination of a bunch of little issues.


And if it is your steering box that's the issue, I wouldn't even look at something you could get from a chain store, my first choices would be some place like Lares Corporation or Red-Head Steering.

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

My first question is what are you considering sloppy? While I agree with Chris that some sterring systems seem tighter than others, are you considering your system sloppy to the standard? Or you have a 1/4 turn of play in the wheel?

I'm with everyone else, don't even touch or look at the steering box, IMO...if it needs adjusting, it needs replacing, and you can do more harm than good 'fiddling' with it.

Start with what Duncan said, there are several joints and links and doo-hickies that might have play in them, starting just behind the steering wheel, all the way down to the knuckle area. It may or may not be obvious what part needs replacing either, it may be a culmination of a bunch of little issues.


And if it is your steering box that's the issue, I wouldn't even look at something you could get from a chain store, my first choices would be some place like Lares Corporation or Red-Head Steering.

It's an inch or two loose, which seems like it's pretty normal.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah thats normal id get a steering stabilizer for it to take up some of it.

 

[Skandocious]

Yeah thats normal id get a steering stabilizer for it to take up some of it.

Oh god here we go again...

Please refer here to learn about steering stabilizers:
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=113681&postcount=2

 

[silverz51]

Oh crap! I have some play in the steering of my '94 F150 XLT. I took it to the Firestone dealer and got a lifetime alignment because my steering was pulling a little bit to one side and the wheel was not straight. When I got it back, the wheel was still not straight, the truck still pulls to one side and the steering wheel had some play.
They tried to sell me a "front wheel bearing packing" job claiming that this would fix the play, I think they wanted to lighten my wallet by about $140!. Of course, that sounds completely ridiculous so I did not do it. I thought maybe after I corrected the play I would take it back and have them align it again. Of course, I don't trust them worth a s**t anymore and I think I just lost the money I paid them.

Anyways, I talked to some folks and they suggested tightening the screw in the steering box. I was a little leery but I did it anyway. It was not easy and it's kind of scary because it's hard to say how much you are really turning it... I think I turned it about 1/8-1/4 of a turn and it *might* have taken just a smidgen out of the looseness. Do you guys think I screwed up?
BTW, my truck only has about 78K miles.

 

[kiwi f150]

It's an inch or two loose, which seems like it's pretty normal.

An inch or two is fine - its a truck after all.
The absolute best thing you can do is go to a reputable shop and have a wheel alignment done - ask them to check your castor angles and if necessary get them to fit an adjustment pad (available from JEGS) to the top of the spindle. The reason i suggest this is that as we drive on the left over here i had a suspension specialist rejig my castor angles to account for the differing road camber that the truck was set up for - these angles also can change over time as your suspension wears.
While you are doing the front suspension have a look at your shackle bushes in the rear as well - you would be surprised at just how much difference to the general handling this can make.
cheers mark

 

[kiwi f150]

Oh crap! I have some play in the steering of my '94 F150 XLT. I took it to the Firestone dealer and got a lifetime alignment because my steering was pulling a little bit to one side and the wheel was not straight. When I got it back, the wheel was still not straight, the truck still pulls to one side and the steering wheel had some play.
They tried to sell me a "front wheel bearing packing" job claiming that this would fix the play, I think they wanted to lighten my wallet by about $140!. Of course, that sounds completely ridiculous so I did not do it. I thought maybe after I corrected the play I would take it back and have them align it again. Of course, I don't trust them worth a s**t anymore and I think I just lost the money I paid them.

Anyways, I talked to some folks and they suggested tightening the screw in the steering box. I was a little leery but I did it anyway. It was not easy and it's kind of scary because it's hard to say how much you are really turning it... I think I turned it about 1/8-1/4 of a turn and it *might* have taken just a smidgen out of the looseness. Do you guys think I screwed up?
BTW, my truck only has about 78K miles.

Like the other guys are saying don't do that - its just like sticking duct tape over a bloody big rust hole and painting it - just hiding the problem.