Loose Steering???

Schondo · Mar 24, 2013

Ok so I just got a lot of my front end replaced and the steering is still pretty slopy on my 2001 f250

items replaced:
steering gear box
Pitman Arm
swaybar bushings and links
tie rods
alignment

the steering is binding up and not returning unless i over steer to correct it in the other direction. I can turn a corner and the truck will continue to turn even if i just let go of the wheel. Anyone have any ideas on what else I can do to get the steering to be right and straight on my truck?

JLDickmon · Mar 25, 2013

axle joints if 4wd..
ball joints if 2wd..

possibly both if 4wd...

Bigsexy · Mar 25, 2013

Mines has a similar problem

JLDickmon · Mar 25, 2013

jack the front end up and put it on stands..
knock the outer tie rods off the steering arms..
try to turn it side to side..
if it's 4wd, line the axle joint North, South, East & West.. try to turn the knuckle..
then rotate the joint 90 degrees.. and try to swing it again.

lincolnlocker · Mar 25, 2013

sloppy? sounds like its to tight..

crowz · Mar 27, 2013

Steering sloppy and especially "Steering binds and doesnt return to center on its own" was caused by a bad steering box on mine. Replaced it with a redhead steering box and its been flawless ever since.

The sloppy steering I wasnt positive would be fixed by changing the box and actually there was a chance it wouldnt fix the binding up problem but all went away when I replaced it.

Schondo · Apr 2, 2013

I have heard that there is a plate under the dash where the steering shafts connect and that it has kiind of a plastic gasket there that goes bad and causes some sloppy steering? Has anyone else heard of this? and if so have you had any luick in changing it?

JLDickmon · Apr 8, 2013

you're talking an intermediate shaft

Schondo · Apr 22, 2013

Has anyone had any luck with the Dorman intermediate shaft? I know that I see a lot of guys talking about the borgeson shaft, but wondered if the dorman was any good?

TARM · Apr 22, 2013

Many times if you have replaced all the normal stuff is the steering shaft itself has slop in it. Have someone lay under the truck and watch the shaft as it attaches to the gear box. Start turning the steering wheel in the cab each direction and have the guy under the truck yell when it actually starts to move the arm. The other likely possibly is you got a crappy gear box when you replaced it. I have seen people go thru a number of them and its hti or miss. You can adjust this with the lash adjust at the top of the gear box. There is a lock ring and then you adjust with a allen key. You turn this VERY LITTLE. Maybe a 1/16 and see how it fees. You only want to adjust it the min necessary as otherwise you will cause binding and wear it out very fast.

IMO red head gear box or lee precision for rebuilds. They are more costly than the china crap from the auto store but IMO much much better quality and tolerance. Plus they stand behind their work if its not.

You can check both of those things. If the shift where it attaches to the gear box is turning but the pitman is not its the box if there is slop in the shaft its the issue.