Little front end help

[kainers]

Found why the steering wheel wonders.I suck at suspension and steering and have no idea on nomenclature.

Need the Nut size on the part that attaches to the steering box.Need the part that the pitman arm attaches too think it is called tie rod.

Little help here please

Thanks:nutswinger:

[Stewart]

Have you tried tightening the steering box?

Locate the allen bolt and locknut on top of the steering box. It’s close to the radiator. The locknut should be a 5/8".

Mark the allen bolt so you’re oriented and know where the start point is, then loosen the locknut.

Turn the allen bolt clockwise a quarter turn to tighten the gear mesh. Tighten the locknut and road test your vehicle.

Be careful not to over-tighten the allen bolt. If you do, the steering may become too tight and get extremely stiff during a tight turn, possibly causing you to drive off the roadway.

Keep repeating the sequence, turning the allen bolt a ¼ turn at a time, followed by a test drive, until you're satisfied with the performance. If you over-tighten the allen bolt, turn the allen bolt back a quarter turn, counter-clockwise.

There is a risk of over tightening the box and causing it to wear out prematurely, so I suggest you tighten it to the point where the slop is gone, and no further.

From what I’ve read on the forums, most people will turn the allen bolt three-quarters of a rotation to one and one half rotations before they’re happy with the results.

This has cured a lot of slop in many Ford rigs.

Stewart

[gregrob]

Great info Stewart I need to do this!

I always knew you could, but never how to do it.

Thanks!

[kainers]

I did about a month ago but it didn't fix it and I didn't feel like torque'n on the thing anymore.Sunday I had the wife to the hand wave on the steering wheel and the pitman arm doesn't move smothly it flops left and right and the lock washer isn't pressed down.I hit it with the channel locks but don't have a wrench big enough.

Take your left hand make a circle with your index finger and thumb.Now take your right hand and index finger put it in the hole and flop it around that is the tie rod end.

[gregrob]

Originally Posted by kainers

Take your left hand make a circle with your index finger and thumb.Now take your right hand and index finger put it in the hole and flop it around that is the tie rod end.

EW, keep your floppy rod put away :nutswinger:

[fbilly420]

It is actually called the center link. The secter shaft nut which attaches the pitman arm to the steering gear is 1 5/16" and the nut that attaches the center link to the pitman arm is a 13/16".
You got lucky because that is probably the cheapest steering componant on our trucks.
hope this helps.
Billy

[kainers]

thanks It will

[Stewart]

Originally Posted by kainers

I did about a month ago but it didn't fix it and I didn't feel like torque'n on the thing anymore.

Well, my knowledge of the suspension doesn't go too much farther than that! I mean, I can help you with swapping the springs and shocks on an Excursion, but when you start talking about Pitman arms, I'll ask what's wrong with his arm? Too much tennis?



Greg (or is it Rob? lol), you're welcome bud!

oh lordy I crack myself up!

Stewart

[CamTom12]

Does anyone know what size that allen bolt is? Its apparentley right in between 4mm and 5mm

[gregrob]

Originally Posted by CamTom12

Does anyone know what size that allen bolt is? Its apparentley right in between 4mm and 5mm

Probably 4.5 then