Steering Help Needed!!!

[jla_ksu]

Hi All,

I am having a problem with my steering. I have a 1971 with manual steering.
I noticed a grinding noise when I turn the steering wheel this morning when I drove to work. When I checked it at lunch I noticed several things.
First, it seems like the steering wheel is a bit out from the turn signal switch, maybe 1/4 inch.
Second, when I looked under the rag joins (I think) is all torn up.
Third, the on the column near the firewall is scraping where the column attaches to the cab.

I am not sure how this happened. I did put new shocks on last week, but nothing else.

Any help would be really appreciated. I am using this as a daily driver so I need to fix it as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Jeff

[FORDification]

Not much to add, except that I'd start by replacing your rag joint, as Larry suggests. Then to take up the slack in the steering column you just need to loosen that lock collar down at the bottom of the shaft, slide it up a bit and then tighten it.



As for the column rubbing on the firewall, it sounds to me like your front cab mounts are starting to let go, meaning the front half of the cab is putting extra downward pressure on the steering column and transferring that pressure to the rag joint....which could very well be why it's torn up. Are your front cab mounts rusted out?

[Jay]

...Then to take up the slack in the steering column you just need to loosen that lock collar down at the bottom of the shaft, slide it up a bit and then tighten it...

There is about a quarter inch between my turn signal and steering wheel as well, so i am wondering about this. Will it become obvious to me if I go out there and wonder at it? And is that a picture of the piece I am looking for?

[flyboy2610]

fi you replace the rag joint, get one from National Parts Depot. http://www.nationalpartsdepot.com/

It's a well made strong unit. It wil run you about $60.00.

[cdowden3691]

I have the same steering column grinding noise. Rag joint? I'm looking online at the National Parts Depot catalog. I don't see anything for a 1969 Ford F100 that's $60.00. There are only two items in the catalog on page 76 that say rag joint, but they are both for 78-79 trucks.

Can anyone help me with a part number or more specific about what needs to be replaced to stop the steering column grinding noise?

Thanks so much for your help!

[fordman]

grinding in the steering column could be bad bearigns too. i have never heard of a rag joint causing a grinding noise in the column.

however npd is currently out of the correct steerign couplers. part number F-3A525-3 $79.50. check witht he other vendros if you want one. try dennis carpentar. or blue oval or who ever sounds good to you. lmc is probably chinese made.