Wondering off

[my460pjb]

Im restoring a 69 F-350 and need help with this problem about it wanting to wonder off the road? Other than that its a great truck. I've been thinking about the steering gear box.
Any ideas?

[gbrett]

I would start with an alignment its probably not in the box but rather in the tie rods or king pins

[FORDification]

Have you replaced any front-end components lately...like specifically the steering linkage? Is it manual or power steering?

Take a look first at your rag joint, between the steering column and steering box. Make sure it isn't torn up, which is very common. Replace it if there's even a question about it's integrity. (You'll have to loosen the steering column at the firewall bracket and under the dash, in order to slide the column back away from the steering box to replace that rag joint.)

Then I'd follow gbrett's advice of checking out the front steering linkage. Get the front wheels up off the ground and then make sure everything's tight. Have someone inside the cab turn the steering wheel back and forth while you're under the truck, and see if the linkage needs work. While the front wheels are up off the ground, get your buddy to grab each front tire at a 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock position and see if he can rock it back and forth, while you're watching from the back side. If the wheel can be rocked, it's either a loose/worn wheel bearing or worn kingpins. You should be able to watch the movement and determine which it is. If you can't, temporarily over-tighten the wheel bearing a little and then repeat the rocking test. If it continues to move, it's the kingpins and they'll need replaced.

It's also possible the steering box sector is worn. You can do a little preload adjustment at the top of the box, but don't get too carried away, or you'll bind things up.

[ima71 trucks are older]

Rag joint, I-beam bushings, radius arm bushings are the most likely candidates. Next is tierods, draglink and kingpins. The steering box is usually last thing to wear out.

[my460pjb]

I just bought the 69 Ford so I did no work to it yet but I will check it out hope everything goes well. I payed 3,000 for it and it runs great and it passed inspection couldn't ask better than that now just need miner adjustments.

Thanks,

[Banjo]

I suspect you are in the same shape my 68 is in, that you probably need to just break down and do it all. And since I'm going to have to do all mine, I'm going to hunt disc spindles to go ahead and convert that at same time. My truck weaves so bad on the road at 50, I named it Otis the Drunk Truck. You could get a DUI leaving church on Sunday morning. I can get under mind and use one hand and twist the steering components rocking front to back real easy.
I just got home from going to look at a whole 74 to buy for disc spindles and such and part it out, but it rained on me, so had to come home.
I suggest you do what I'm going to do and knuckle down and spend some bucks on replacing kingpins, tierods, rubber bushings and stuff. I resigned myself when mine swapped lanes on a bridge at 50 that if I made it home alive, the suspension would be rebuilt before I drove it again. It's just that scary and dangerous and I've researching this alot, you can do it for the cost of 2 new car payments and get many times repayment on driving enjoyment (along with a good alignment). There is another thread below about tie rod ends, etc where costs are broken down and that's very helpful. Good luck, Banjo.

[my460pjb]

Wow Ok
" Otis the Drunk Truck"