Frame flex

[dssco]

Hello! I'm new here. My '69 F100 2wd's steering felt a little loose so while I had an assistant turn the wheel back and forth I noticed the steering gearbox moving. I found the three bolts less than super tight so I retourqed them. This helped alot but I still see the box moving a little. I think it's frame flex and am thinking about welding up a plate to reinforce it. I've never heard of this on a 67-72 Ford truck before, (unlike chevy's that always crack the frames or pull out the bolts.) Anyway, if someone can check theirs for me and let me know if this is normal, (mine has power steering). Thanks!

[heep70]

HHHmmmm, never heard of this on a Ford. Sorry, I can't help ya on this one. I do have PS but it is on my "Highboy". Hang on and someone here will help ya out.

By the way, stop by the "Welcome Mat" and intro yourself and the your Ford.

[FORDification]

I really doubt that you're seeing frame flex in that area. I've never heard of a frame cracking there on a 2WD...the frame is boxed in that location, so it's darn strong. If it was flexing there because of broken welds, it should be obvious. I'd guess that while the box was loose you got some grit/gravel down between the mounting pad and the box. I'd suggest just removing those bolts and pulling the box away from the frame enough to really clean it up, the box and it's mounting pad.

[marz68]

Hey DSSCO I did see this once on a magazine were the frame was boxed with a 1/4 inch plate because of the flex in the power steering area.

[390Nut]

I've seen signs of it once before as well, on a `68 F100 parts truck. Steering gear was a bit loose, and looking at the bolts, the metal on the frame where they went through was stretched a bit, and you could see what looked like little dents, almost like they were countersunk. It was the only one I've ever seen like that, so I chalked it up to a bad bit of steel on that particular frame, that was a little softer than normal.

[bluef250]

Since the bolts were loose, check to see if the holes in the frame have been wallowed out from the movement. Second, check to see if the bolts are either stretched or are worn (corroded). Be careful about driving truck until you know or solve the problem.

[fordman]

i know of a 86 4x that the frame broke just behind the steering gear. but i think he was giving it h*ll when it broke.

[mrung0wa]

You also should consider replacing those 3 bolts w/new grade 8 one's. It's possible that they have lost their tensile strength through age and or over torque/tightening. This occurence in not common under normal situations.
Make sure that the mating surfaces are clean, dry and free of debris.

Lawrence

[willowbilly3]

i know of a 86 4x that the frame broke just behind the steering gear. but i think he was giving it h*ll when it broke.

I had to fix one of those once that was a theft recovery.

[72hiboy4x4]

A company I worked for years ago had a mid-80's
F-250 that they loaded with 55 gallon drums of diesel (for the loader on the jobsite).
Got about 1/2 up the logging road, and broke the frame clean in 1/2 right behind the cab.
I have heard those years are not very strong frames.
And to get back on topic, I personally have never seen a frame problem at the steering box on our year truck. but, thats not to say it can't happen!

[Jake11]

Your pretty observant. Yep, it moves there. The long pitman shaft is
what does it. Solution? Make a cross brace that clamps onto the steering
box at the bottom where the pitman arm comes out and run it accross to
the other framerail.

[mrung0wa]

FYI: Do not use wood (not even oak or maple) as material for the cross brace!


Lawrence

[marz68]

yeah

[Jake11]

Eucalyptus is purty strong

[mrung0wa]

Eucalyptus is purty strong

Yeah, but it has that pungent odor about it!

Hey Keith P. did you get my PM?

Lawrence