Highway handling improvements

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Will Randolph

Will Randolph

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1955Moose, I had both tires up on jacks, at 9 and 3 pm the tires maybe move 3/4 an inch and so do the tie rods, so it’s all one solid piece, the tires aren’t moving themselves at 9 and 3pm. No up and down movement when pulled from the bottom. I think I might try adjust the steering box, but that sure looks fun to get the fan shroud out of the way. I reached in and tried rotating the steering shaft Based off a YouTube video, but it wouldn’t rotate, and I only can move the steering shaft vertically up and down some when reached down from the top. I’m sure replacing the the bushings would do something in the front, but I think I’m just gonna have get over the mental thing and drive slow, 1800 bucks is a lot of money to replace the bushings on a 20 year old vehicle.
 

1955moose

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I agree. $1800.00 buys a lot of clothes and groceries for the wife and kids. My 2000 has the steering box in a little easier location. Even still, I couldn't get an L shaped Allen wrench on the bolt. I took my Ford mechanic friends advice, and broke the nut loose with a 5/8 wrench, and clamped a small pair of locking vise grips around bolt protrusion. You may not be able to adjust yours. You should have little to no movement on tie rods. When you shook tires, did you see any movement in pitman arm, or idler arm? On mine they were real sloppy.

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Will Randolph

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1955moose, I’ll check again on the idler arm and Pittman are, there wasn’t much movement on the tie rods. You think tightening the gearbox a quarter turn might do something?
 

1955moose

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Depends if the play is in your gearbox itself, and not other components. It was in my case. I was lucky that the guys around the corner from me at Midas did a full shakedown for me. Apparently the steering box on the first editions is an issue. I looked up my printout that came with my Suv before I bought it. They already replaced the steering box at 50,000 miles. That's nuts for such a low mileage vehicle. See how much free play you have before your adjustment, and tighten a little at a time, you don't want to over tighten.

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TobyU

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I know! I know! Put some LT load range E tires on it.

Moose, you should appreciate this since you've been following along but staying out of it....
 

TobyU

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And on a non facetious note....I had a guy tell me on Tues not to turn the wheel (Excursion in this case) unless you were rolling a little because you will wear out the gearbox!
I think he is mistaken. correct me if I am wrong or have seen otherwise.
Now, I hate it when people crank the wheel while sitting still.
SO MUCH harder on tie rods, idler arms pitman arms, tires even hub bearings..but I don't think the gearbox cares.

I leaned how to drive on a 49 Lincoln with big wheel but no power steering.
You learned it was much easier to start rolling then turn faster.

I had one gearbox on 67 Pontiac leak what they called sector shaft seals and pour out around output shaft.
Had a couple with play that I adjusted gear lash.
Had one on 92 Town Car with about 200K that lost all power in only ONE direction.
Made no sense to me that this could happen but nee junkyard 40.00 gearbox fixed it right up.

I have seen several Ford trucks 1998-maybe 05 that are hard to turn at low rpms bust I think this is weak pump not gearbox.
 

TobyU

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You have to be careful adjusting the lash in those gearboxes. Overtighten them and you trash the thing...


I think it is even more critical on power steering ones IIRC.

I think I have only done 3-4 and always easy on it.
 

GaryA

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I know im a little late on this thread but my 01 was doing the same thing mostly at higher speeds. I changed out the power steering pump, i had a little leak there anyway, and the new pump didnt come with the solenoid mounted on the back. It became obsolete. That solenoid triggered an increase in steering sensitivity designed for slower speeds upon turning. When it malfunctions, it actually increses the sensitivity randomly. At 50+ mph, it becomes rather dangerous. Once i installed the new pump, the issue stopped. Not saying that was your issue, i have learned these expys can have multiple reasons for a single symptom. Anyway, hope it helps in the future sometime.

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