steering slop

[hotrod ford]

what is the BEST way to fix this and what needs to be replaced?

[fordman]

from the steering wheel to the tires there are several thing that can be sloppy or worn. the steering column bearing. the rag joint at the bottom of the column the steerign box can have slap in it. the steering linkage studs can be worn out. the king pins can be worn out. the lugs or lug nuts could be loose the tires could be bad or need air in them.

park the truck on a level surface. have a helper turn or shake the steering wheel back and forth but not enough to turn the wheels. get under the truck and see what is moivng and what is not moving. at that point you will find the bad parts. you will also want to watch the rag joint and steerign box for slop doing this same turning of the steering wheel. to check the king pins jack up the front wheels and see if they will move in and out at the top and or bottom.

[fordman]

wait arent you replacing the radius arm bushings? that will help alot to fix the problem.

[hotrod ford]

i already did that. there is still slop where the box meets the steering rod. about a half an inch play. to much i think

[fordman]

it could be a worn rag joint or a worn steering gear in the box. the box can be adjusted but not much to make it mate with the worm gear.

[hotrod ford]

with the hood and vent window open, i stick my hand through the vent window and move the steering wheel. there is alot of play where the rag joint mounts the the steering box.

[fordman]

if the rag joint is bad it can be replaced with a new one.

[hotrod ford]

alrighty, i will look into it at the mid of the month then. thanks fordman