STEERING BOX REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

[HALLSVILLE OTIS]

Guys !
I have ordered and recieved a rebuilt cardone steering box.
Does anyone have any removal / installation tips , tricks or advice to impart before I begin this job ? The Ford factory repair
manuals seem to imply that this will be a rather straight forward process, but I want to mine you guys for info first.
While under the truck, I will be replacing the steering dampner, installing new shocks and a new rag joint as well.
A step at a time, one new piece at a time and before you know it............

[fordman]

remove the drag linkage from the pitman arm.
if you have a manual steering box now. pull out the old steering column. if not loosen it and move it upwards.
remove the three bolts holding it to the frame.
install the new box.

[flyboy2610]

I would add to put a rope or something around the old box before you remove it, just so it doesn't slip and break your nose.

[70_F100]

remove the drag linkage from the pitman arm.
if you have a manual steering box now. pull out the old steering column. if not loosen it and move it upwards.
remove the three bolts holding it to the frame.
install the new box.

I always just remove the pitman arm from the box, rather than having to break loose the drag link AND the pitman arm.

You also have to disconnect the rag joint that connects the box to the column.

I would add to put a rope or something around the old box before you remove it, just so it doesn't slip and break your nose.

And use the same method to pull it back up into place. Makes the job a LOT easier!!

[fordman]

i think i go tthe order wrong in my description. i do the pitman arm last. so it supports the box until i am ready to remove the unit as a whole. but most of the work i have done. is been to strip boxes from donor trucks only.

[19FORD67]

I had my tire off, so that made it pretty easy. I would leave the pittman arm on the gear however, disconnecting it from the steering linkage probably won't be all that easy. Don't worry tho, it just pops right out after nut removal. You might have to figure out a way or get a tool to be able to apply enough force. I just slipped in an open end wrench and put a bottle jack on the wrench and climbed up top and smacked it with the end of a 4x4. Please be careful tho I'd hate to hear the jack slipped and the wrench knocked a hole in your forehead. It worked for me but not everyone is as dumb as I am. All my bolts were thru the side of the frame and after the last bolt it didn't drop to the ground, it got wedged, but it didn't take much for it to fall. since the bolts were on the side I didn't have to get under it. I actually almost fell asleep it was so easy. If you have any problems the folks on this site always responded to me pretty quickly. Just kick back and enjoy it!