1968 F100 - Steering/Handiling Issues

[fordfe360]

Hi Folks,

Enjoy the truck but have a question about improving the steering and handling. The truck has new springs, shocks, and kingpins.

When I encounter rough/uneven pavment at 50 mph or higher, the truck will "jump" over to the left. A good example, where road pavement meets up with a bridge.

There always seems to be a bump in the those places and the truck wants to "hop" to the left. There is play in the steering wheel, more so to the left than to the right.

Another place is where an entrance ramp connects to the highway. I try to compensate for the "jump" but would like to correct this if possible.

The truck tracks ok on smooth pavement I do not have issues with tire alignment/shaking at highway speeds.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Jack

[Donnie]

Hi Folks,

Enjoy the truck but have a question about improving the steering and handling. The truck has new springs, shocks, and kingpins.

When I encounter rough/uneven pavment at 50 mph or higher, the truck will "jump" over to the left. A good example, where road pavement meets up with a bridge.

There always seems to be a bump in the those places and the truck wants to "hop" to the left. There is play in the steering wheel, more so to the left than to the right.

Another place is where an entrance ramp connects to the highway. I try to compensate for the "jump" but would like to correct this if possible.

The truck tracks ok on smooth pavement I do not have issues with tire alignment/shaking at highway speeds.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Jack

Have you had the front end aligned since all this work was done.. Is the steering wheel centered? does it pull either left or right on a level smooth road. I would suspect steering box off center ( worm & sector) not in the center of travel or alignment..Have you driven it enough to see if your tires are wearing even..Caster being out will not show as quickly as incorrect toe or camber..Most shops do a quick toe adjustment on these as a good alignment is difficult & costly........Donnie

[fordman]

alot of vehicles will pull when going over big bumps at a fast speed. was an alignment doen when you had the king pins put in? as well as tires. it could be loose worn linkage or steering box too. but those things would normally also show when driving regularly. but not always. does the truck turn while braking. if so the brakes need adjusted.

[fordfe360]

Hi Folks.

Thanks for the suggestions. My sense of things is that it is the steering box. There is more play in the steering wheel to the left than to the right.

There is more play when the steering wheel is turned left. It takes longer for response to be felt.

Jack

[fordfe360]

Hi Folks,

With regard to the steering issue on this truck, I purchased a manual steering gear box from Blue Oval and had it installed. That fixed it. Truck handles great now.

A joy to drive compared to the way it had been. Now on to the next item. Replacing the rear main seal and trying to find the $$$ to take care of it.

Jack

[CACWBY]

Another great aftermarket item for I Beam trucks, is a Steering Damper. And if you have 8" or wider rims it's almost mandatory. I've used them for years and they make a huge difference. King Pins aren't as good at keeping wheels from "Bump Steer" (jumping from one side to other after hitting bumps) or high speed wobble (usually very slight) as Ball Joint suspension. Old Type I VW's with King Pin front ends had Steering Dampers.

[fordfe360]

Hi Folks,

CACBY mentioned using a steering damper on his truck. Does anyone know who sells one that would fit a 1968 F100 with manual steering?

Steering is much better but I still get the the "bump steer" action when I hit rough pavement etc.

Truck handles well but it would be nice to eliminate or reduce the severity of those "jerks" when holes or bumps are encountered.

Jack

[70_F100]

The one on my truck is a HECO.

I don't know if you can find it from any auto parts stores any more. I got mine off ebay.

[fordfe360]

Hi Folks,

LMC sells a steering stabilizer for my 1968 F100. I ordered one and will have it installed on my truck. After I evaluate it, I will report back.

Jack

[Racer Z]

A steering damper will only mask the problem, not fix the problem.

When you installed the springs, did you put them on the correct sides? The stock springs and the replacements that I bought have a Left and Right spring. The motor sits off to the side a few inches so one spring is stronger than the other. Getting these on the wrong sides will cause issues that will be hard to trouble shoot.

Take a look at the front of the truck. If it sags to one corner the springs are mixed.

And most definitely, get the front end aligned.

Check the tie-rod-ends for play.
Steering gear boxes wear. There is an adjustment screw but be careful.
Check the radius arm bushings as well as the tension rod bushings.
Absolutely make sure all the bolts holding the front suspension together are tight, and I do mean tight.

This is probably not part of the immediate problem, but check the rag joint and the steering column bearings while your at it.

Hmm, check the tire pressures too. It amazing what proper air can do.

Check the tires while your at it. There's been a few time where I was able to trace it back to a defective tire that was causing odd problems. On very rare occasions, a belt can loosen on one edge of the tire causing the tire to have a cone shape. Not enough to see with your eye, but enough to cause pulling and other handling problems. I isolated it by rotating the tires. Depending on where the tire was, the car would pull left, right or not at all.

Once I even found a cracked frame causing similar problems.

[fordfe360]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the help and the suggestions. I ordered a steering stabilizer from LMC for 100 bucks. PART # 45-2320.

This part bolted on and for me worked very well, resolving the "bump steer" issues that I had with my truck. I drove the truck

over the same stretches of road that give me fits every afternoon and experienced little if any bump steer. Really nice.

Jack

[tictokdok]

Donnie
Since your one reply was the gear box is not in center, could you elaborate on how to check and correct ! 1967 F-250

[tictokdok]

Well it has been a while, non the less I could not let this issue go. I have surrendered to the truck in that the issue has been found and corrected after going to several front end shops and so forth. I found the problem myself and fixed it, many thinks for all your offered help.