steering parts on a 1972 F100 2wd

[1972FordCustom]

I'm trying to replace the steering parts on my 72 f100, steering is way loose, what all needs replaced? do they have a idler arm? or is it just a drag link, and tie rods?? thanks in advance for the help...Charles

[Chasbod]

Could be a combination of all those. Also need to consider king pins and the steering box itself.

If your steering wheel seems to turn quite a bit without moving the pittman arm, then you may need to tighten the worm gear in the box.

If King pins are loose, you will be able to physically feel the slop while trying to move the tires from top to bottom with the wheel jacked up. Drag link and tie rods will feel loose as well...but you need to jack the tires up to take the strain off the steering system.

Steering components all tend to wear together and the life expectancy depends on the terrain you drive on and keeping the components greased routinely.

[1972FordCustom]

I know the drag link is bad, you can move it 2 inches.....I'm thinking I need to replace everything since I dont know when or if anything has been replaced....I just dont know what all there is to replace.....

[Chasbod]

typically just the drag link and tie rods. But definitely ck the king pins as well. Oh, and also ck your radius arm bushings and the I-Beam bushings where they attach to the frame.