BCHauler
Adventurer
Just found this on craigslist. http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/pts/3141367740.html
Redthies' '97 F350 Thread
- Thread starter redthies
- Start date
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Want to do another
? My immediate concern is the fact that the truck has decided not to turn anymore. Steering shaft bearings going in tomorrow. I am torn on the spare. I have NEVER in 25 years of offroad travel had a flat. (Now that I have said it, I fully expect to have all four tires flat in the driveway tomorrow morning). I don't want to go without a spare, and I don't plan on stuffing it in the back seat or on the front bumper... A rack on the back of the camper is a possibility, but I will have to look into where I can attach something that heavy without damaging the camper.
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Now you've gone and done it...
I've only had few as well, maybe only enough for one hand in the same 25 years, but lately I'm on an upswing. Like you, I won't be without at least one proper spare.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Well, the tires still have air in them, but I had to replace my steering shaft bearings. I had my buddies shop do that as work is too busy and I couldn't steer it any more, which could lead to problems I have heard... When I went to pick it up, his mechanic said he thought the driver side hub was stuck on, so I took it apart and took out what I think is an "extra" spring. I went to Warns site and look at the exploded view of a hub and sure enough, it doesn't show this spring. It seems to work now, and I might gain 6-8 mpg
It is still steering kind of stiff, so I will keep digging...
It is still steering kind of stiff, so I will keep digging...
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
The pump is quiet. My 92 had the moose pump, but I changed it out for a reman and it was actually louder! I ended up doing the steering gear (box) as well, and that worked like magic. Was the Saginaw swap difficult? I can't imagine it would be. My main issue is that I actually have to use a bit of effort to steer the thing, which doesn't seem right. It also doesn't always return to center on its own. I made my buddy check out his guys work (bud helped with the bearing install), and he says they disconnected the lower shaft and the wheel spun like butter. They suggested the hub as an issue, and I did find a spring that I don't think belongs, but otherwise all looked fine. I'm tempted to just change the steering box next, but the $250 could go elsewhere...
BCHauler
Adventurer
No Saginaw swap was very easy. Use a pump out of an E-series van from a similar year as your truck. Use the van bracket as well. The only awkward part is one of the hoses. The van hose will not work, I gently bent my truck hose to match up but apparently there is factory hose from a late seventies f250 that does the trick. I'll email you a link to my install from a ford forum.
I had the exact same symptoms as you with my v8 Astronomer van a few years ago and the problem turned out to be seized joints on the intermediate shaft. Replaced it myself with a junkyard shaft and solved problem . Symptoms were really stiff steering and the wheel wouldn't return to centre. Not sure if the ford trucks have an intermediate shaft.
I had the exact same symptoms as you with my v8 Astronomer van a few years ago and the problem turned out to be seized joints on the intermediate shaft. Replaced it myself with a junkyard shaft and solved problem . Symptoms were really stiff steering and the wheel wouldn't return to centre. Not sure if the ford trucks have an intermediate shaft.
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
I remember hearing/feeling the steering even more on older Gen. trucks, and seem to remember it worse on Rangers/Explorers.
Certainly sounds like something it's right, my F350 has never had very heavy steering, and with some of the aftermarket/rebuilt steering gears I installed was actually too light for my preference, but I like lots of steering 'feel', not really a feature on these old trucks.
You probably have something worn as you say, but is low caster/poor alignment settings possibly part of the problem?
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I changed the steering gear/box, and it solved the main issue. It's still a bit of effort to turn, but I think once the gears wear in, it might loosen up. I will check into the castor and toe to see if they are correct. We are doing a four day blast down south of the line on thursday, and at least I know it will be fine for that trip.
I also took apart my hubs and found an auto hub spring forced in between the inner and outer hub pieces. That was keeping things engaged all the time. Not good!
I also took apart my hubs and found an auto hub spring forced in between the inner and outer hub pieces. That was keeping things engaged all the time. Not good!
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Betarocker
Adventurer
When my steering u-joints toasted, the steering was very difficult at some times. It depended on which access the u-joint was pivoting; one still worked, the other seized.