Steering

[SAYBYE]

Hi I need some inforemation. I have a 67 which is stock but for 33s. It's a 170/3 on the tree/no power steering. Running some trails in the woods no rocks/no mud doing fine till about an hour in the steering wheel would turn 1/2 before the wheels would turn. It has the original rag joint (which dosen't seem to slip). the gear box dosen't leak but dose move about 1/4 turn before the pitmen arm moves. I left it cool off and it was fine. Went and ran a gravel pit same thing after a hour. I can run it on the road for 3 hours with no problems. Everything on the frontend is tight, tierods, kingpins, draglink, wheelbearings, U-joints, C bushings, new springs, new shocks, new tires. I'm lost anything in the steering collum that could be causing this? The Bronco has 75000 miles on it. Any thoughts Thanks

 

[S_bolt19]

First thought is that the box needs to be tightened. You say it has a rag joint on the steering shaft? That shouldn't be there unless someone took a PS shaft and put it on there. Where is the rag joint. That has me a little puzzled.

 

[SAYBYE]

First thought is that the box needs to be tightened. You say it has a rag joint on the steering shaft? That shouldn't be there unless someone took a PS shaft and put it on there. Where is the rag joint. That has me a little puzzled.

The rag joint is what joins the steering colum to the gearbox. If it is worn then you have really sloppy steering. If mine would give a 1/2 turn when warm, it would give a 1/2 turn all the time. Thinking about rebuilding the gearbox, but I need to reserch it better. Like what comes in the diferent kits. I know that I'd need the gears also. I have done some GM ones and setting the preload was a pain.

 

[S_bolt19]

The rag joint is what joins the steering colum to the gearbox.

Ok, so you are talking about the cardan/U-joint there at the box then. I thought that you were talking about the rag joint that is on the shaft it's self like comes on the PS shaft. The different shafts and joints look like this:

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Steering_Shafts

You can buy replacement joints from BC Broncos or Wild Horses. As for rebuilding the box, try West Texas Offroad:

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/index.html

These guys have an excellent reputation for rebuilding boxes and doing it at a very good price. I know a number of guys who have had theirs done through these folks and they are all completely satisfied. I have never heard a bad thing about them. I know guys from California to Georgia who have used them with the same pleased reaction. It might be easier to just send it to them rather than screwing with it yourself.

 

[Bully Bob]

Another option is installing P/S rather than investing in a manual box. I believe the junk yards have old mavricks, Falcons, etc. .....this is a good source for the brackets for the 6 cyl. The stock Bronco (P/S) box bolts right on. the rest of the parts are obtainable out there...

Just a thought..,

I have P/S on mine & it's a dream with the light 6 up front.

B