Boy now I am really getting confused!

[MTboatguy]

I have been working on the rebuild of my 1 Ton Ford and it seems like every part I am pulling out is almost new? Started pulling the link arms out today and they are tight! So now am wondering if maybe my steering gear box is worn out, because, ball joints are good, tie rod ends are good, steering link arms are good and the tires are brand new!

 

[gm280]

Have you tried to tight the steering box? If I remember correctly you can adjust the steering box to help take out any idle travel (end play)... Just an idea...

 

[littlerayray]

Sounds like a real hair puller

 

[MTboatguy]

Have you tried to tight the steering box? If I remember correctly you can adjust the steering box to help take out any idle travel (end play)... Just an idea...

Ya, I will have to see what I can do with the steering box, but I am now sitting here shaking my head. I have checked and replaced all of the normal suspects!

 

[littlerayray]

If you keep up you will have a new truck lol

 

[MTboatguy]

If you keep up you will have a new truck lol

Yup, I will, fortunately, I got it really cheap from a guy I know that went bankrupt, so putting a bit of time and money in it is not a big deal, but I always hate conundrums, drives me a bit crazy!

 

[littlerayray]

I hear ya I can't seem to find killer deals my buddy though he just bought a 3 year old tire changer balancer and 12 ton hoist 3 grand I hated him for a bit till he said come over anytime you need to do work lol

 

[alldodge]

Many of the old models you could adjust the steering box, but the newer ones most need replaced.

 

[MTboatguy]

This is a '91, so I know it has an adjustable box

 

[NHGuy]

Put it together and have a front end guy shake it down. They know where to pry and what to check for play.
If you want a true answer tell him you are going to change the parts yourself and that you understand his time has value. Many shops check your truck free on the expectation that you will have them fix the vehicle. If you don't have them do the parts you should expect a small bill for inspecting your front end.
That would be faster and cheaper than guessing. What if the steer box is good and something else is wrong? There are bushings that can be bad, frame weakness, steering parts that feel OK to someone who has done cars might not be tight enough for a truck.
Don't just put on stuff til you are sure you need it. Truck stuff is very big and sturdy, most gets checked with big pry bars.

 

[gm280]

Have you actually checked the spindle bearings? Or how abut any bushings that are old and cracked? Like I state before, my adult son and I totally just recently rebuilt every front end part on my '98 Blazer with new moog parts and it drives like new now. And that includes all bushings and mounts and everything. About $400 dollars worth of parts. But well worth it indeed.

 

[MTboatguy]

Oh, I know the right place to pry and check things out, I was just expressing a bit of frustration the other day, I have worked on a lot of these axles, because I have basically owned Fords for most of my life when it comes to trucks and the TTB IFS axle system used in many them is a real pain in a certain part of the body! Fortunately with them being such a difficult axle system, lots of aftermarket companies have come up with parts, pieces and such to improve upon what Ford came out with.

If it continues to be difficult like some of them are, I will start looking around for a Dana 60 straight axle and put under, which is an easy swap.

 

[Jeep Man]

Yup, I will, fortunately, I got it really cheap from a guy I know that went bankrupt, so putting a bit of time and money in it is not a big deal, but I always hate conundrums, drives me a bit crazy!

Possibly it was the truck that caused the bankruptcy.:joyous:

 

[MTboatguy]

Possibly it was the truck that caused the bankruptcy.:joyous:

You know, Jeep, you might be on to something there!

LOL

:laugh:

 

[MRS]

I would check the frame real good and make sure there are no crackes.

 

[rbh]

The pitman arm on my truck was worn to the point there was lots of front end wobble. Do these steering boxes have the adjustment nut?

 

[MTboatguy]

The pitman arm on my truck was worn to the point there was lots of front end wobble. Do these steering boxes have the adjustment nut?

What year is your truck rbh? I know the one I am working right now has an adjustable box. All three of my trucks have the adjustable ones.

 

[Bob_VT]

Trust me I just repaired my FIL 1 Ton 4x4 F350 Dump........... Cost less then $50 ............ Replaced the steering stabilizer made it drive completely different!

 

[MTboatguy]

Trust me I just repaired my FIL 1 Ton 4x4 F350 Dump........... Cost less then $50 ............ Replaced the steering stabilizer made it drive completely different!

Yup, that is on the list Bob.

 

[rbh]

What year is your truck rbh? I know the one I am working right now has an adjustable box. All three of my trucks have the adjustable ones.

The f250 is a 1991 IDI motor the 94 f350 is a powerstroke.
Right now the f250s tire passenger side is wearing on the inside---- it is cupping/wearing every second contact patch on the inside like its hopping???

I adjusted my f150 years back, jacked up the front end and loosened the holding nut and turned in the set bolt to tighten it up, if I remember right-tighten till tight then back off a quarter turn or something like that??