Steering question for the F-100 4X4 Owners

nuwave · Post by **nuwave** » January 30, 2007, 11:48 am

How much play in the steering wheel is normal for a 64 F-100 4X4? Mine seems unusual. Other than tie-rod ends and the drag link, I can not see what would cause this other than what I fear is a worn out steering box.

All wheel bearings are good. There is no wobble or looseness with the front wheels. The truck steers easy without wandering alot. Am I worried about nothing?

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » January 30, 2007, 12:22 pm

my 66 f250 4x4 has none.it steers straight down the road and does not veer to either side.
my wifes 66 f100 4x4 needs a gearbox, there is lots of play in the steering wheel and you can see the bottom bushing or bearing in the gearbox is loose when i look at it while she turns the steering wheel.

nuwave · Post by **nuwave** » January 30, 2007, 1:40 pm

If it is the steering box, does it warrant immediate replacement, or can I drive it a while without major safety concerns.

$400 for a new box is alot of money right now, but death outweighs that!

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » January 30, 2007, 2:14 pm

depends how bad it really is and how far you drive.
the box we need is $275 + shipping cant afford right now either.
does the 64 f100 4x4 use the same box as the 64 f250 4x4?
or if you dont know, post a pic of yours, i have a couple good f250 ones
and can tell if they are the same or not.

nuwave · Post by **nuwave** » January 30, 2007, 6:35 pm

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_thumbn ... ser_id=539

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_thumbn ... ser_id=539

Def the problem. I see the slop on the pitman arm side when a helper turns the wheel within the free play zone. I cannot see the specific prob unless I remove the box from the frame. How hard you think this job is? It looks like 2 bolt hold the box to the frame. Not sure how to disconnect it from the steering column.

BTW I have not figured out how to post a pic in the reply, but I did put the pics in my personal album..one problem at a time!

nuwave · Post by **nuwave** » January 30, 2007, 6:56 pm

Trying again with larger pic

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_picm.p ... ser_id=539
http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_picm.p ... ser_id=539

Side note. I bought what I thought was the right battery tray, but Had to modify using angle iron. It now hangs a little lower than it should. I notice in old post you have these. How much? Also where can I get the $250 steering box u mentioned?

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » January 30, 2007, 7:21 pm

Dave, you cannot remove it from the column it is one piece.
two bolts under the dash, 3 on the frame plus the pittman arm.
on the floor where it goes thru the plate needs to come off
steering wheel off, entire thing comes out the bottom, clutch z bar and oil filter on 292 in the way so off with them too.

you cant use the one i need for $275, it is for 66 and up.

i still have all those battery trays too.

you do have the 4 spoke steering wheel?

nuwave · Post by **nuwave** » January 30, 2007, 10:45 pm

sounds like a real pain in the a!&., but I figured as much. The pic of the 1 I found for around 400 looked like it had a long shaft coming out..I was hoping it was not the column.

Other than a little slop, I see no reason to drive it around town till I get the money and time to do it. Maybe it wont be that bad.

I do have the original and cracked in a few places steering wheel on the truck. I have only had this thing for a few weeks and am already feeling I made a mistake. I do thik I got a decent buy on it $3K. The body/frame has only a little surface rust. Engine has about 70k on it since rebuild but runs rich. Think it needs a carb rebuild. Rubber is good except for transfer case bushings. The thing still looks like a money pit. I was hoping I could drive and restore over time at the same time..maybe I should just sell it.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » January 31, 2007, 1:11 pm

dont give up so easy.

if you have the 4 spoke wheel, i have a column and gearbox i would be willing to part with.
you should give flashbackf100 a call- he is 6166junkyard dog in here look up his profile and send him a pm.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 31, 2007, 1:44 pm

nuwave wrote: The thing still looks like a money pit. I was hoping I could drive and restore over time at the same time..maybe I should just sell it.

Hang on, you might want to consider that if you bought a nice new 4x4 for $50,000+ that your monthly payments of $500++ would pay for a steering box in about 20 days.

It's a 40+ year old truck, these things are part of the charm that goes with any old vehicle. You are gonna get a lot more nods and thumbs up from your truck than you would in 10 brand new trucks, simple as that. You can probably drive the thing as is, remember 40 year old recirculating ball steering isn't like a new Honda, either.

Best of luck whatever you decide, but try not to be TOO easily discouraged. Stiff upper lip and all that rot

hmm.. haven't used that many + signs in a post , ever I dont think