steering issue

[97f350stroker]

I noticed I have started getting sort of a floating feeling to my steering in my 97. When I got home I went above the driver side tire and grabbed the steering shaft. If I grab and rotate as if you were turning the wheel there's no reaction to the tie rods from about 10 to 1 o'clock. The shaft and piece that bolts to the gearbox move in unison but its like there's a delay in the box. Also there is about 1/2 inch of sideways play in the slipjoint. I've heard people talk about using a hammer and punch to make the grooves fit tighter but haven't seen any writeups or pics or where I could purchase a new shaft assembly. Thanks in advance.

 

[Biggreen96]

check your pitman arm for any movement also. I found mine had started to strip the splines and had slop .

 

[97f350stroker]

Checked the pitman arm and seems to be good. I do need tie rods though my ends are pretty shabby. Ball joints seem be in good shape. Im thinking its time for a new box, there's about 10 degrees of rotation on the steering shaft side before there's a reaction on the pitman arm side.

 

[Biggreen96]

quick simple swap i can do it in about an hours time.

 

[97f350stroker]

Wondering if I should upgrade to a red head box or just stick with a Napa.

 

[Biggreen96]

I would say if money permits Id do the redhead.

 

[JCart]

low cost options: pull out the steering shaft, by undoing the single bolt under dash and the bolt just below the rag joint by the steering box, compress the shaft and pull out. Once out fully extend clean with brake clean and relube. Take a punch and hammer to the groove in the outer shaft to reshape it so it tightens against the inner shaft.

Adjust the steering box using an 5/8th box end wrench and allan key (can't remember the size but it is imperial not metric). Undo the lock nut on top the box, just crack it loose now with the allan wrench turn it 1/2 turn tighten lock nut and try it. Do not over tighten this adjustment as it can damage the box internals. IIRC you're supposed to lift truck front wheels/ axle off the ground to adjust box.

Red Head and Borgenson (sp?) shaft is supposed to be the best option.

jrc

 

[97f350stroker]

Jcart thanks for the info that will be this weekends project.

Do any of the vendors carry redhead boxes if I decide to order one or do I have to order direct?

 

[old man dave]

You want the box to be tighter but still self-center. Too much adjustment makes the steering flop over and not want to return to center. I would start with even smaller adjustments as a little adjustment goes a long way ( like 1/8 turn at a time).