by Jazontyler Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:31 amI am trying to look into all the little quirks on this new truck of mine. I have about 5-10 degrees of play in my steering wheel, before it "engages". Is this a function of the whole steering system being tired and worn or can most of this be corrected with a new drag link? Are there bushings also in the steering column itself, or is it a solid piece? (61 E100PU)
+7
66ThunderVan
Army of Six
scarlin
sasktrini
donivan65
Twinpilot001
Jazontyler
11 posters
play in steering wheel
Jazontyler- Number of posts : 56
Location : Austin TX y'all.
Registration date : 2011-12-29
Twinpilot001- Number of posts : 6186
Location : spokane ,Wa.
Registration date : 2009-09-28
Should be an adjustment on the steering box i believe ?
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
Rock the steering wheel back and forth through the looseness and look at the pitman arm that is coming out of the steering box under the truck,,,,,if it is moving, the problem is the drag link or tie rods, kingpins or bearings,,,,,if nothing is moving under the truck, the problem is in the steering box and there is an adjustment on it and you can see if adjusting it tightens up that old wornout steering box.....
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Good luck finding a new drag link, if that's the issue.
Jazontyler- Number of posts : 56
Location : Austin TX y'all.
Registration date : 2011-12-29
What do you mean? Doesn't Mac's sell one?
scarlin- Number of posts : 258
Location : sturgis mi
Registration date : 2012-01-25
5-10 Deg, Your lucky! Do not adjust the steering box if you don't know how to do it. The adjustment has been posted somewhere.
Army of Six- Number of posts : 241
Registration date : 2010-10-02
i am tearing my front end off to add a mustang II IFS. im sick of all the slop in my steering wheel...before and after a new box. i just think that evn the rebuilt boxes still have the same worn out worm gears. all that being said im looking at selling off any or all of my front end. 
66ThunderVan- Number of posts : 384
Location : Portsmouth, Va.
Registration date : 2012-01-08
You may want to get a pro to check out your system. The front axle in the E100 is pretty strong but the steering box can get damaged real easy. If you run up on a curb or even hit a bad pot hole the steering box can have one of the ball bearings pop out of the worm gear assembly and you will have too much play in the steering wheel. The steering box is not something anyone can repair. If done incorrectly things can get real ugly.
sasktrini- Number of posts : 2067
Location : Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
You might find one. I wish it was just a straight bar so that a new one could be fabbed up with replaceable tie-rod ends.
Carl- Number of posts : 143
Location : Orange California
Age : 76
Registration date : 2011-01-25
mine had a lot of play at 375K miles. Adjusting not help. Got a good used one thru GUP (getusedparts.com)
zbermen- Number of posts : 60
Location : Las Vegas.Nevada
Registration date : 2011-02-03
Rareparts carries the drag link over $200.00 plus shipping also notice
their available on ebay. It didnt seem long ago these went for $100.00 ?
Add this to one of many XMAS wishes
their available on ebay. It didnt seem long ago these went for $100.00 ?
Add this to one of many XMAS wishes
66ThunderVan- Number of posts : 384
Location : Portsmouth, Va.
Registration date : 2012-01-08
I could see this coming a long time ago and I have a stash of spare parts including steering gear boxes and dual master cylinders.
Jazontyler- Number of posts : 56
Location : Austin TX y'all.
Registration date : 2011-12-29
Any chance you want to unload a steering box???
Barnabas- Vintage-Vans Listings Manager
- Number of posts : 2016
Location : Raleigh, NC
Age : 64
Registration date : 2011-01-16
Check the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame. Mine were apparently loose for some time, which made the play about 100 degrees.
MikeShums- Number of posts : 116
Location : New Hampshire
Registration date : 2010-10-14
If you get to a point where you determine that you need a new steering box, you might contact Fred (fmc here). Las ttime I saw him, he thought he might have some available for sale.
