play in steering

[68f100pete]

I have a 68 f100 with serious play in the steering.I am a novice mechanic and wanted to know if this play can be eliminated?

[Gray035]

Sure. It can be eliminated. The general approach is to have a friend sit in the cab while you get underneath the truck. Have your friend turn the steering wheel back and forth while you look for play in all the steering components. Usual culprits include worn tie rods, worn steering box, or worn rag joint. The king pins can really mess with your steering too if they're well worn, but that is not quite as common (and honestly a project I would avoid unless you have to).

Apart from king pins it's not too difficult of a job to refresh your steering. Good luck! And don't forget to do a DIY alignment when you're done.

[Dan]

Can you rebuild a steering box or does it have to be replaced? I have the same problem, I had the front end checked out and all the components are good, so I am assuming it's in the steering box on mine. (Manual steering)

[rbeck204]

Just got my 65 crew cab on the road last week and I have a similar problem. I have all new suspension and steering parts and a rebuilt power steering box from Napa Auto Parts. I had the front end aligned and still have the wander in the front end.

I read you can adjust the amount of wander on the Saginaw box. I have not done it yet but I understand you loosen the jam nut and turn the adjuster bolt down in 1/8 turn increments and then re tighten the jam nuts. Test drive and then adjust more if needed

I think there are numerous videos on u tube to help you better see what I am describing.

I will be trying to get the play out of mine in a week.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Rich

[sfelps]

my steering box is really loose, if i adjust the slop out it it binds and still has slop. all the rest of the suspension is real good.
Questions:
Are there rebuilders for this box?
Could i do it myself (pretty good with a wrench but never took a box apart)
Would a slavage one, if i could find one, be any better?
Facts:
It's titled as a 1977 but i am pretty sure its an older chassis that after a man lift was installed got titled much later.
TIA.
Steve

[HIO Silver]

my steering box is really loose, if i adjust the slop out it it binds and still has slop. all the rest of the suspension is real good.
Questions:
Are there rebuilders for this box?
Could i do it myself (pretty good with a wrench but never took a box apart)
Would a slavage one, if i could find one, be any better?
Facts:
It's titled as a 1977 but i am pretty sure its an older chassis that after a man lift was installed got titled much later.
TIA.
Steve

I suggest contacting RedHead: http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/ for a quality rebuilt unit. You won't regret it.

[390bump]

I have a Red Head...Expensive but nothing else comes close to their quality. Do it right and do it once...