68 F100 pwr steering changeover problem, help please

Timmy · Post by **Timmy** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:22 pm

I am in the process of changing my 68 F100 2WD over to power steering and I have run into a problem. I read the tutorial, which was very helpful, but my pitman will not match up to the drag link. First off, let me give some details.

I got the PS box, pump, steering column and pitman from a 77 F20 in the u-pull it yard since I haven't been able to find any 67-72's I could pull parts from. A local used Ford parts place told me that I could use the pitman from the manual steering and it would connect, but it isn't working. The angle on the manual pitman is correct, but it is smaller on end that connects to the box (smaller than the manual steering gear) In checking new parts places online, it shows only one type of drag link, no difference for manual or power steering.

So does anybody know why it won't match up, or, specifically, which part(s) is/are incorrect? Or, does anybody know if I need a new pitman (and from what year/model) or a new drag link/tie rods (and also from what year/model)? It seems that I read somewhere that in 73 or so the steering knuckle changed and is larger so later years tie rods wouldn't fit my truck? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I would love o get the truck moving with the ease of power steering as soon as possible.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:51 pm

the 77 pitman a r m is larger on the draglink side than the 67 to mid 71 and from mid 71 to 72. you will have to use the pitman a r m and drag link from the 77 together i think this is what your problem is from what i can understand your saying.

Timmy · Post by **Timmy** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:04 pm

Thanks for the reply. Not only is it longer, it is shaped differently and the gear box side is wider (the part with the splines where it connects to the box). If I get a drag link for a 73-79, will it fit with my current tie rod? If not, aren't the 73-79 tie rods shorter? Longer? Will they work on my truck? The ones that were on the 77 had the bolt on the bottom and the ones on my 68 have the bolt on top. I wish this stuff was easy but when you do changeovers I guess you kinda go off the map.

lobuck76 · Post by **lobuck76** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:21 am

the later model drag link wont fit your drum brake spindles. Sounds to me like you need the pitman a r m off of a power steering truck.
Seems like the pitman a r m says power steering on it .

benm78 · Post by **benm78** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:37 pm

I'd get a pitman ar-m from a 73-79 since they are easier to come by.

While you're there, get the tie rod and the drag link. You'll have to put a couple of washers under the castle nut where the steering linkage connects to your the spindles, but I see no reason why it shouldn't work.

Caution, though, I'm still trying to determine if the taper on the ball joint stud is the same from 73-79 and on my 68. If it weren't, then there may be some issues with using the 73-79 linkage on 68-72 spindles, or with grinding thickness off of the 73-79 spindles to utilize existing 68-72 linkage (if doing a disc conversion, like I am).

If you're near SE Mighigan, I have a spare drag link and tie rod from a 73 F100 that had power steering, FWIW.

-Ben

Timmy · Post by **Timmy** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:27 pm

Okay, got it all done this afternoon. Here is what I learned.

I got a new drag link and both tie rods for a 73 f100 and they fit. I already had the pitman from a power steering truck (a 77, and it does say power steering on it BTW). Everything matched up great and I can steer with one finger!!. There didn't seem to be any difference in the length of the shafts on the tie rods where they go into the spindles from the 68 versions. Also, I was able to use my original steering wheel and column by taking the shaft out of the 77, cutting off the small extension on the wheel end, and inserting it into my column. I was able to do that with the column still in the truck but with the box removed. I just dropped down the column in the inside, pulled the old, longer one out and put in the new one. It worked perfectly! I can't believe how great it works, huge difference.

One issue I have/had is that the tie rods are just about bottomed out in the adjusting sleeve so I don't have any room to adjust them that direction. It drives fine and doesn't seem to be scuffing the tires. I will get it aligned soon just in case but if they have to adjust it that direction it won't work. Hopefully that won't be an issue.

One more thing, I tried to put in a brake booster today but I wasn't able to get the pushrod out of the M/C. I read everything I could find in here about it, but it wouldn't budge. I tried pulling it out but it wouldn't move and I tried to find the elusive clip I read about but I couldn't find it. So, anyone have any detailed instructions on how to get the pushrod out? I expected that to be easy, but after trying for an hour I gave up and put it back together. With the steering working so well I hoped to have power brakes as well but I guess that will have to wait.

Thanks for the help guys!

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:39 pm

i'm not positive but i think you have to take the rubber boot off of the back of the master cylinder and remove the c clip. i think. but i'm not sure. i've never taken one out myself. so get more opinons than mine before you do it.

Post by **FORDification** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:50 pm

Since a picture's worth a thousand words:

You'll have to pull hard....it'll come out. Maybe use a flat-tip screwdriver to gently bend the clip's tangs out of the way?

Timmy · Post by **Timmy** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:33 pm

Thanks for the info and the great picture! I pulled as hard as I could w/o damaging anything and that thing wouldn't budge. Looking down the shaft on mine I don't/can't see anything but the pushrod. There is nothing visible to bend backwards. I will try it next weekend. Just want to be extra careful that I don't damage the brake lines so pulling and eventually slipping as it pops loose doesn't sound like it will bode well for the brake lines.

Thanks again for the info, hopefully this weekend will be the time when it pops free.