Steering is loose

[desertbronc]

ok my bronco has about 3 inches of play side to side from center, while driving or parked. the steering shaft turns with the steering wheel until it goes into the gear box. the shaft moves those couple of inches but the gear box does not turn the wheels. i am pretty sure i need a new steering box, i just want to know if im correct, and what would the average shop charge to install this. maybe i will do it myself, but i am unsure on how to adjust it. thanx

 

[illinoisbronco]

ok my bronco has about 3 inches of play side to side from center, while driving or parked. the steering shaft turns with the steering wheel until it goes into the gear box. the shaft moves those couple of inches but the gear box does not turn the wheels. i am pretty sure i need a new steering box, i just want to know if im correct, and what would the average shop charge to install this. maybe i will do it myself, but i am unsure on how to adjust it. thanx

i would also like to know the answer to this. i also have about 3 or 4 inches of play from side to side. everyone seems to have mixed feelings about this. alot of you say you cannot do anything but replace it, but, autozone sells a kit for 40 bucks to rebuild it. id much rather spend 40 than 140. but then again i dont want to have a rebuilt one fail on me while im driving. has anyone done this before?

 

[crazyhorse85]

You can try and adjust the slack with the adjuster on top of the gear...sometimes it works fine and others it doesn't....when mine got a lot of play i just replaced it....it only takes a couple hrs.tops...just make sure your wheels aer straight and everything should slide right in and bolt up...also check your rag joint they are prone to wear and fail at the most inopertune time....also it's good to have an extra set of hands this things ain't light....if you go new or reman.shouldn't have to do any adjusting at all...they come preadjusted....good luck.... B)

 

[Yardape]

That slack adjuster is not to remove play, the only thing you will get out of touching it is a rolled truck. I cring everytime someone tells another to adjust that *****.

 

[desertbronc]

yeah i know better than go and turning screws and nuts i am not sure off,i too have heard tons off horror stories about that. but since he says they come adjusted already i will just replace it. its 20+ years old so good ridance

 

[Yardape]

I have owned 2 Broncos, an 89f250 an 89f350 and an 84 f150 and all have had bad play in the steering. I have never known anybody that didnt have this problem with our style trucks, to me the only answer is replace the steering box. I have the box out of my Bronc right now and will be replacing it as well.

 

[Fritz180]

yardape where did you get your box from and how much? The stores around here want about 350 for them. but its a different year than yours, but any help would be good help. Thanks

 

[Yardape]

Napa. $160.00 I priced one out a couple years ago for my first Bronco and it was close to $400 at the same store.

 

[Fritz180]

ok. Thanks

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I recently replaced one of the seals in mine, and did it while it was still in the truck, but to do a full rebuild, I would pull it out and do it on a bench.

There are links in this thread with diagrams and pictures to do a rebuild. Seal kits can can range from $30 - approx $100 (i forget) depending upon how many seals and O rings are included.

http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?s=&...ost&p=78701

BTW... to pull it out u will need a pitman arm puller, or the right sized pickle fork.

good luck