Loose steering- Ford F100 '67

[Theodora1985]

Hi! I have a question about the after market power steering that is in the '67 F100 that I just purchased. The steering wheel feels a bit loose- as in not immediately responsive. In order to turn or switch lanes you have to spin the wheel quite a bit, and when going straight there's a margin of about 2 inches in either direction that you can push the steering wheel without it even reacting! This is the first truck of this age that I have driven, so I'm wondering if this "loose" feeling wheel is standard, or if I need to have some adjustments made to tighten it up. Thanks in advance to anyone who has an answer to this!!

[fordman]

aftermarket power steering? lets see some pictures of this. you probably have a worn out rag joint.

[Theodora1985]

Hey, thanks for responding! What would be best to take a photo of to show the power steering addition? the steering column itself? or whats under the hood (I'm just learning about trucks, so forgive me if I come across as a bit dense). Any idea of cost to repair (if it is the rag joint that needs replacing)? Thanks!!

[fordman]

whatever is aftermarket is what i am wonderign what you have. the column is of no intrest to me. i know they make aftermarket columns.

[Caseys71]

I think fordman is looking to get a picture of your power-steering pump, and steering box. The gear box is around 10" long on the driver's side of the engine compartment and is attached to the steering column, and the power-steering pump is usually on the driver's side of the engine, and it will have hydraulic hoses that run to the steering box coming out from the bottom of it. As for the rag-joint it is located just above the steering box and is around 3-4" in diameter, basically it looks like a piece of rubber bolted together between two pieces of metal. A quality stock replacement rag-joint that will actually last a little while it will run you $54.95 through Obsolete and Classic Auto Parts INC. there website is http://www.classicautoparts.com/ and you can call them at (405)631-3933. The OEM part # for the rag-joint that fits your truck is C6TZ-3A525-A and the Stock # that it is listed as in their catalog is F03-4285-035 and it can be found on page 36 of their catalog. If you wanted you could go to the parts store and get a universal type rag-joint in the help-section but usually they deteriorate really quickly, and aren't up to par on the quality of OE parts but they only cost around $15 so if money's tight this may be a more sensible route. Also here's a link to their online catalog: http://www.classicautopartsonlinecatalo ... lx&from=2#. Just to give you a visual of the parts me and fordman were referring to here are some pictures:

This is a picture of a mid '80s power steering pump

Here's a picture of the power steering box

And last but not least here's a picture of a rag-joint

Basically fordman just wanted to see pictures of your setup probably for the same reason I'm curious because I've never seen an aftermarket power-steering set-up on these trucks. Also another thing to try is to adjust the mesh of the gears in your steering box to do this you loosen the nut on the box and turn the slotted screw, then when you have it adjusted where you want it you tighten the nut back down. As for locating the adjustment screw it's around midway up the steering box, and it's the only slotted screw with a nut around it on the steering box.

[fordman]

well when speaking of a aftermarket deal. it is usually meant to say that it is a dealer add on. or made for our trucks specifically. back when these trucks were produced. i don't think they make them now as aftermarket but they might. so some things could be different if they do make them now. i just wanted to see what i might be dealing with. so i could give the correct advice.

[fordamericana]

You can make "some" adjustment to remove excess play in the steering by adjusting the sector shaft, loosen the jambnut, and run the sector shaft screw in a turn or two, and then retighten. If that doesn't do it, you may be looking at a rebuild. This of course only applies if you have checked everything else first, the ball joints, bushings and rag joint to see if there is any excessive wear/ damage to those parts that may be causeing the sloppy steering...

[cdeal28078]

You have to be very careful about making that sector shaft adjustment. Go too far and the truck will not return to center after a turn and it will have a tight spot right in the center of the steering when going straight. If too tight it can break the sector shaft.
There is a very specific procedure in the shop manuals using an inch pound torque wrench to make this adjustment. You don't just tighten up the screw.
I worked with a guy back in 80-82 that had the steering gear on his 72 F100 break 2 times on 2 different gears. He kept trying to tighten them up so it was more responsive I guess.
He got lucky both times and was driving very slow so he didn't wreck his truck. One broke just as he pulled into the parking space at the old gas station we worked at. If that is not luck I don't know what is
I cannot scan but have the book showing the proper way to adjust the sector shaft. I can copy it down if nobody else has it. Steering is something you don't want to take a chance at.
Imagine going down a curvy road at 55 mph. Tune the wheel and nothing happens. Yawwee!
clint

[killakobra]

You have to be very careful about making that sector shaft adjustment. Go too far and the truck will not return to center after a turn and it will have a tight spot right in the center of the steering when going straight. If too tight it can break the sector shaft.
There is a very specific procedure in the shop manuals using an inch pound torque wrench to make this adjustment. You don't just tighten up the screw.
I worked with a guy back in 80-82 that had the steering gear on his 72 F100 break 2 times on 2 different gears. He kept trying to tighten them up so it was more responsive I guess.
He got lucky both times and was driving very slow so he didn't wreck his truck. One broke just as he pulled into the parking space at the old gas station we worked at. If that is not luck I don't know what is
I cannot scan but have the book showing the proper way to adjust the sector shaft. I can copy it down if nobody else has it. Steering is something you don't want to take a chance at.
Imagine going down a curvy road at 55 mph. Tune the wheel and nothing happens. Yawwee!
clint

The stress at low speeds are higher due to more turning resistance. I bet this is why they broke then.

[Hemmi06]

You have to be very careful about making that sector shaft adjustment. Go too far and the truck will not return to center after a turn and it will have a tight spot right in the center of the steering when going straight. If too tight it can break the sector shaft.
There is a very specific procedure in the shop manuals using an inch pound torque wrench to make this adjustment. You don't just tighten up the screw.
I worked with a guy back in 80-82 that had the steering gear on his 72 F100 break 2 times on 2 different gears. He kept trying to tighten them up so it was more responsive I guess.
He got lucky both times and was driving very slow so he didn't wreck his truck. One broke just as he pulled into the parking space at the old gas station we worked at. If that is not luck I don't know what is
I cannot scan but have the book showing the proper way to adjust the sector shaft. I can copy it down if nobody else has it. Steering is something you don't want to take a chance at.
Imagine going down a curvy road at 55 mph. Tune the wheel and nothing happens. Yawwee!
clint

I am interested!! I hope it can be placed on the site.

[fordman]

you only need to adjust the box if there is slack in the gears in the box. ignore adjusting the box at all. it usually isnt the problem. but i too would also like to see the procedure for adjusting a box. because this subject coems up too much and examples would be great to show those who ask about it.

[Bub]

Was the page with adjustment instructions ever posted here or anywhere else on the site? I am interested in taking a shot at making the adjustments.

I have sloppy steering too, and my rag joint looks to be in pretty good shape (I must admit that I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for though). I can use the advice and I will post pictures of my steering box and rag joint when I get home.

Thought I'd use this thread instead of starting another steering thread - hope that's ok?

[RTG_RACING]

There is a bushing at the bottom of the steering box that can wear out and cause side to side play at the pitman arm.

[fordman]

i think you could find a adjustment in a search. but i dont recall one for sure. basically the one nut on top to the side with a slot in the stud is the adjustment. what this bolt and nut do is to rasie and lower the gear teeth on the steering box. it doesnt take a whole lot to adjust it. because it only mesh the gears to each other better. from what i read once. you loosen the nut. then turn the stud with your screw driver one way or another. and it will raise or lower that gear. it is the only gear that can be adjusted. if the slack is in the box you can turn the wheel back and forth to test it for slack each turn or so to find out if you are going the right way to mesh them.

[Bub]

Thank you Fordman and RTG for your replies.

RTG,

I will inspect the bushing - hopefully I can do this without removing the gear box?

Fordman,

I will do a search for adjustment as you suggest.

I think I'm guilty of over thinking and researching the heck out of issues, leaving me more confused after reading through all the advise. But I'm slowly learning and gaining confidence.

Couple questions:

I can easily rotate the shaft about an inch or so (maybe more), both away from me and towards me, by simply grabbing the shaft with my thumb and forefinger and turning it. Is this normal?

And, is the rag joint one of those items that can appear normal and still be worn out?

I apologize if this has already been covered. I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for when I do searches.

Thanks as always

~Bub