play in the steering

[boots]

On my 67 I have a little play in the wheel, and some times it kindof makes a popping sound when I turn. My dad thinks it could be dangerous and asked me to post here to find out if there is a way to adjust it, or anything I could do to make it better.

[heep70]

Ball joints. Probably one or more are ready to be replaced.

[FORDification]

Ball joints? On a 2WD?

With the info you gave, I'm leaning towards a very dry kingpin, causing it to bind and then pop loose. The play in the steering is probably a worn rag joint caused from excess pressure being applied to it via the steering wheel to overcome the sticking kingpin. Try greasing the heck out of the kingpin and see if that helps. It might actually take a while for the grease to work it's way in, if it's pretty corroded inside the kingpin area. One way of checking is just to remove the kingpin cover/cap (it threads on) and see if it's greasy or corroded in there.

However, the fact that you've installed homemade lift brackets adds a whole new set of possibilities into the equation. Is this popping something you've heard since you installed your lift brackets? Was the noise present beforehand?

[heep70]

Ball joints? On a 2WD?

With the info you gave, I'm leaning towards a very dry kingpin, causing it to bind and then pop loose. The play in the steering is probably a worn rag joint caused from excess pressure being applied to it via the steering wheel to overcome the sticking kingpin. Try greasing the heck out of the kingpin and see if that helps. It might actually take a while for the grease to work it's way in, if it's pretty corroded inside the kingpin area. One way of checking is just to remove the kingpin cover/cap (it threads on) and see if it's greasy or corroded in there.

However, the fact that you've installed homemade lift brackets adds a whole new set of possibilities into the equation. Is this popping something you've heard since you installed your lift brackets? Was the noise present beforehand?

Thats right, you guys have 2xs . I meant wimp joints or how about tie rod ends. They tend to pop once worn or dry. I have even had rear leaf packs pop going around corners because they were so worn out. They slid back and forth in between the hangers making the pop noise

[boots]

Keith, The steering was like this before the lift brackets. I have not driven my truck for a few months now, It will be ready to hit the road in about 1 week now. In my spare time I just wanted to mess with the steering to see if there was anything I can do to fix this problem.

[tcb1969]

It's the rag joint - my 67 did the same thing. The rag joint should have to bolts and to fixed rivet type things - one is smaller than the other. As the rag joint wears the larger rivet will start to pop against the sides of the upper metal bracket that it bolts to. Look at the rag joint area - if there is any shiny metal on either side of the bracket that is your problem. I don't know if it is supposed to act like that as a wear indicator or what - but it has happened to me twice (once with the original and once with a junkyard replacement).


John

[flyboy2610]

I always wondered why they were different sizes!

[68F250]

I think that's a safety feature, in case the rag joint rips apart you don't loose all steering control.