Leaderboard

I had the steering system off recently and opened up the box to inspect the gear mesh and bearings. As Mach1rider desribed, CW on the threaded stud "tightens up" steering box play and CCW loosens it. The Ford shop manual describes setting the adjustments to a maximum inch-pound drag reading throughout the steering's lock-to-lock motion. The proper adjustmented measurement is so small it would be difficult to measure without a dial-type inch-pound torque wrench. Also, this adjustment is also supposed to be done with the pitman arm disconnected from the center link/control valve. If you can isolate your steering slop to the box and suspect it is worn internally, you've got nothing to loose by tightening it down some, but if the gears are too badly worn, no amount of adjustment will remedy the slop. I ended up buttoning my box up too tight and having to re-adjust (loosening off some), but am personally accustomed to R&P and wasn't happy with the slop. Also as noted, this system is antiquated, and expecting it to behave as a new car's system is an unfair comparison.

Inspect steering system first, Have helper turn wheel left/right while you look at ALL of the componants. Next loosen the locknut and screw the stud down till you feel slight resistence. Now watch the movement of the pitman arm to wheel as it is rocked left/right. Your looking to have an almost instant responce of movement of pitman arm to steering wheel l/r. Once you have this lock the nut down and check FULL left/right turns for binding. No binding and your done, Binding and you may need the box repaired.

If the rest of your suspension is in good shape you might be able to remove some of the play in the box. Jack up the front end so the tires are off the ground. On your steering box you will find a threaded shaft with a nut locking it in position. Loosen the nut and you will be able to turn the threaded shaft and by doing so you will either tighten up the distance between the gears inside the box or loosen them some more. Do your adjustment and then turn the wheels lock to lock to see if your are making any improvement. Your box's gears are worn more in the center of the gears than at the extremes because that is where most of your driving is done. You may or may not be able to make any improvement by trying this adjustment. Adjust it a little and then turn lock to lock. You may be able to tighten up the box in the middle where the gears are worn more but have the gears get too tight at the extremes and have the box lock up. This is why you need to turn the wheels lock to lock after each adjustment to see how tight you are getting the gears. Once adjusted be sure to tighten the lock nut around the adjusting shaft when done. I hope this helps.