Play in steering

[Lost]

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.

Yep work great. For About 3 months that is . But will help you dial in whats up.

Rebuild boxes r not to $ . Dont waist money on used ones.

A truck withh even 70000 (theyr r 20 plus years old ) spring weak front back rad arm bushings ,tierods.(they can go in no time ) Will make the play worse . Plus if tilt colum there r jionts and stuff to go bad.
I had 5 of these new and 1 - 2 inch is nothing .

Now the 1/4 turn I got is greeting old > LOL

 

[Alvin in AZ]

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
if 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.

For the most part I agree with that.

1) Since we ain't in kindergarten anymore can we call 'em "stupid questions"
please? I like stupid questions myself, many times they are the only ones I
can answer. :/ Not that me answering any questions is worthwhile since all
my answers are "stupid answers". (this whole post is an example)

2) Have the helper rock the steering wheel back and forth, sometimes just
a little and sometimes big and aggressive. Tell 'em what you need as you
need it.

3) IMO, "looking" don't get it, sorry. :/ -Feel- each joint for lost motion. Put
some effort into finding all the loose parts, it'll save you money.

4) Check the sector shaft for -lost- "turning motion". Feel and look for the
sector shaft to move slightly sideways before it turns. If it's really bad it's
easy to see it move sideways before it turns. BTDT after having changed
out everything else with new stuff on my '75.

5) To check for loose ball joints grab the top of the front tire and rock it like
you really mean business, like you're trying to tear it off the vehicle. LOL
Easier if you jack it up first. Jacking it up doesn't work so good on the type
with the upper-n-lower-control-arm-type suspension but Ford light trucks
ain't got that flimsy system. The old kingpin system needs a jack to test
for "end play".

Butthead in AZ

 

[rolsmojave3]

^^follow above. I've never found a truck I couldn't tighten up.

 

[Lost]

Good post helps narrow down things.