My steering box has some slop in it. I went underneath and had the wheel rocked. There is play in the output shaft with the big nut on it. The truck wanders going down the freeway.

Is this a common problem? What is the newest year i could get from the junk yard that would substitute?

Thanks,

John

 

It would help to know what year you have now

No not a common problem

You don't actually steer Ford Trucks, you "herd" a Ford Truck down the road, has always been that way.
Yours sound like there is a problem, so not the normal "herding"

I hate driving GM or other trucks, seems like you always have to "steer", I would rather relax, "get along little doggy", lol.

 

How can anyone answer your question when you did not provide the year of your truck.

 

1996 4 litre
STX 4X4

 

1983-1997 Ranger or Mazda B-series, 1998 and up used different model

Also F-150s and E-150s 1980 to 1996, they changed in 1997
Many E and F 250s in those years also used same power steering box

You know there is an adjustment on all steering box to tighten them up, right?

 

In my limited experience that steering box adjust is to control the lask between the arm that connects to the control rods and the actual geared piston that is completely internal to the steering box. I stupidly did not look up the diagram in the manual. i made premature judgements and I will correct.

Thanks for your help. And for defending my assumption that my profile with my truck would be used.

 

Considering that F250 and such would be much heavier that a Ranger, shouldn't I be looking for a Ranger box from the wear standpoint? IF the thing doesn't have a adjustment.

Thanks very much for your info. much appreciated.

John