oilburner77
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• robards, KY, USA |
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• Registered on 3/4/2009 |
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• 3 posts |
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 Posted:3/13/2009 10:06 |
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Howdy. Need some advice on where to start with play in steering. I can turn my steering wheel a good 1.5" to 2" before it bites. Im thinking its gearbox cause even with x not running has play. I can turn steering shaft from wheel to gearbox also. I'm new to fords so any advice would be great Thanks |
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71-4R3SONS
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• Southern Tier, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 3/24/2007 |
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• 49 posts |
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Posted:3/13/2009 16:37 |
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Basically all you need to do is locate the allen head bolt and locknut on top of the steering box (close to the radiator). I believe the locknut is 5/8" . Mark the allen bolt so you can tell the orientation that you started from and then loosen the locknut. Turn the allen bolt clockwise a quarter turn to tighten the gear mesh. Tighten the locknut back up and take her for a spin. Be careful, because if you overtighten the steering may be so tight as to get extremely stiff on a tight turn, causing you to veer off course. Repeat the tighten and test drive until you're satisfied with the performance. If you overtighten, turn back the allen bolt a quarter turn counter clockwise.
There is a risk of over tightening the box and causing it to wear out prematurely, so tighten it to the point where the slop is gone, and no further.
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BOB Spelled backwards is BOB.
2005 EXCURSION--Eddie Bauer--4x4--V-10
Dale Jarrett FORD / NASCAR Special Edition
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oilburner77
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• robards, KY, USA |
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• Registered on 3/4/2009 |
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• 3 posts |
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Posted:3/14/2009 16:54 |
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Hey thanks for the info! Got the steering tighter than ten nuns now. I owe ya a cold one! Thanks again |
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James Ertle
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• St. Louis, MO, USA |
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• Registered on 5/24/2005 |
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• 69 posts |
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Posted:3/16/2009 13:39 |
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You did not mention how many miles you have on it.
I was having the same thing with mine. Also thought that it was the steering box.
Turned out that the ball joints were severly worn.
Rebuilt the front end and almost all of it went away.
James |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:3/21/2009 20:21 |
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You might want to email Landyot (Ken). He makes Radius Rods that stop spring wrap and keeps the truck from wandering much on the highway. Best money I ever spent! |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:3/22/2009 08:45 |
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| Quote: | | You might want to email Landyot (Ken). He makes Radius Rods that stop spring wrap and keeps the truck from wandering much on the highway. Best money I ever spent! |
Thanks, David! I truly appreciate the publicity, but I believe in this case (steering wheel play) that the ailment is something other than a wandering issue. The posts above have correctly identified the usual sources for steering wheel play, and the problem seems to be on its way to being resolved ... if not already resolved. |
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