On to the next thing

[99superduty]

The great axle crisis is over and I'm on to the next thing......steering.

Drove the bronco around the neighborhood and there is a lot of slop in the power steering. Where should I start looking to make adjustments and tighten this up?

[sbolt19]

Steering boxes, and power boxes in particular, are tough to do because you can cause major damage if you tighten them too much. Is it an original box? Has it ever been rebuilt? If it is original, I would have it rebuilt, and I would look at West Texas Offroad. I had them do my steering box 3-4 years ago and they did a great job. My total down time was 10 business days. I UPS shipped it to them & they did the same back to me, total transit time was 4 down & 3 back, they had my box for 3 days. And the price to have it shipped, rebuilt & shipped back was less than what they guy here in town was going to charge me to just rebuild it. If I remember right, it was $150 to have it rebuilt & I paid an extra $140 to have them put the short throw steering gear in. I went from the 6 turn to a 4 turn and I love it.

But to answer your question, to tighten the steering, there is a nut on top of the box with a flat head screw in it. You have to loosen the nut, tighten the screw and retighten the nut. IF you do this, only tighten it about 1/8th of a turn each time. You can also take some of the steering slop out by replacing the steering stabilizer, if you have one, or putting one on. I would also look at your ball joints to see if they are in good shape, look at the steering linkage, make sure the joints on that are in good shape. If there is any problems with linkage or ball joints, you will pick up the slop through those. So what I would do to make sure it is your box that you are having problems with, is in order:

1. Steering linkage - look at and grab both steering shafts and turn them. Watch the joints on both and see if there is problems. Do the same with the track bar and check for any movement. If there is excess play, I would replace the bushings on the track bar, replace the tie rods or tie rod ends.
2. Ball Joints - make sure they are tight and don't need to be replaced.
3. Steering stabilizer - if it's worn out, you can replace it, but this only masks a problem.
4. Adjust the box - If it is original, I would have it rebuilt.

[Justin]

Couple things to add to sbolt's post. Have someone cycle the steering back and forth while you watch from the front of the rig. That'll give you a sense of where the slop is. It's likely a combination of things. Replacing my steering box made a difference, but I also did the ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering shaft over the past year. Each was an incremental improvement and my rig now has really nice, tight steering. Track bar bushings are a great place to start, as they're nearly always worn and both cheap and easy to replace. If you decide to have the box rebuilt here's a quick shipping tip: Steering boxes will fit in the largest USPS flat rate box, so shipping is only $17. You can put the steering box in a plastic bag, seal it, put it inside another plastic bag, put the whole shebang in the box, and then fill the area between the two bags with expanding foam. Keeps everything well protected and secure. If you need new steering linkage, consider upgrading to DOM tube with Chevy rod ends or heims. I did a write-up on mine here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=963&hilit=chevy+tie+rod.

[Jesus_man]

You guys nailed it. Two things I'd add.

1) check that the steering box is tight to the frame and that the frame isn't cracking.

2) if you have WTO rebuild your box, have them port it for ram assist, way easier to have them do it and then you have it there if you ever decide to use it.

[99superduty]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Unfortunately, I need to sell the Bronco. I was laid off before the holidays and it doenst look like I'm going to get brought back on. Its up for sale in the classifieds, need to sell so the price is really negotiable.

[Justin]

Bummer, really sorry to hear that.

[Jesus_man]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Unfortunately, I need to sell the Bronco. I was laid off before the holidays and it doenst look like I'm going to get brought back on. Its up for sale in the classifieds, need to sell so the price is really negotiable.

So sorry to hear that!! Hope you find someone something more suitable soon!!!

[99superduty]

Thanks guys....