Vintage Cars: 1976 f100 2wd, tie rod ends, pet peeve

Question
Hi- have play in steering box of manual steer f100-ie turn wheel clockwise and anti clockwise few degrees of no action to steering linkages'Q. are these boxes adjustable, whats required in rebuilding them to eliminate play? thanks

Answer
The play could be in more than one place.

Many steering boxes are adjustable to some degree for this problem.  I know GM boxes can have a small screw with a lock nut on it.  Loosen the lock nut and turn down the screw if it is loose and that can take up some play.  Not sure about your steering box.  If you don't have one, get a service manual for your truck, it should explain how to do this or if it is possible.

Play can also come from the various moving parts of the steering system.  There are at least two tie rod ends that can get lots of play, and other links that can wear.  Sometimes there is a rubber coupling in the shaft system of the steering that can wear and cause play.

And you may need a new steering box, but really, these are usually lifetime units.  But on a truck, especially one that is really used as a truck meaning rough roads, heavy loades etc, the box can wear more than on a car that only sees highways.

Also you may want to keep in mind that anytime you compare a modern car with rack and pinion steering and brand new parts to an older car, you may notice play that might be normal for the older car, but feel awful compared to new cars.

A pet peeve of mine is young writers in car magazines that test older vehicles.  They always complain that the steering is odd and loose.  Maybe it is perfect for when that car was built, but back then, the gear ratios weren't as radical.  Modern power steering allows fewer turns lock to lock than older cars.  My 57 Chevy may turn 3.5 to four revolutions lock to lock, where my wife's 2003 pickup may be less than two!  Just that difference makes the 57 seem like it is falling apart when it really is just exactly the way it is supposed to be.

So check your entire steering system.  Most parts are easily replaceable by an home mechanic and not expensive.

Don