Thanks for sharing this, Jake. On my 2001 F250 it was a little easier to reach the gearbox. I had resolved that I was going to be replacing my truck this summer, but this fix has probably gotten me years more service out of it. It was to the point that it was almost dangerous to drive because a bump would cause the wheels to change direction. Replaced ball joints and supports, several alignments done (even at the dealership), and nothing made a significant difference. An afternoon spent with my son performing this adjustment and it’s like new. Thanks for being so thorough as well.
Dodge has about the same setup and have done a few myself. What really wears the steering box out the most is turning the wheel while its setting still. You see lots Turing around or backing out of a parking space and when they stop to go forward or backwards before they start moving they crank the on the wheel. I'm picky about the steering wheel being in the right position when going straight too.
Send your steering box to Redhead. They will remanufacture it with spec bearings and it will be much much better. I did my 2000 F-250 4x4 Diesel Crewcab and it made a huge difference. They are out of Auburn Washington. Very affordable.
Thanks for the guidance. I was able to tighten my steering gear box from undernearth without removing the air cleaner. Mine had a 11/16 nut on top of a 5/8 nut holding the 3/16 allen stem in place. I had tightened it twice already removing air box, but still needed a little more adjustment so I thought I would give it a shot. I ended up going about 2 complete turns of the stem altogether.
Thanks for the video, just installed a rebuilt gearbox on a 2003 superduty and was hoping an adjustment could correct the play problem. Was sweating the possibility of having to take the box off and exchange for another. Your video puts my mind at ease, simple adjustment should be all it takes.
Great video! I have the 2005 250 Superduty with the first year coil suspension. The steering wheel has alot of slop even after changing tierod ends. Drag link...etc. Going to try this fix tonight and see what I can do. Thank you!
01-2022 be advised that Ford used two type pressure hose ends for this period of vehicles. One used 'o' rings the other uses reverse flare tubing. Because some previous purchasers did not verify the reverse flare in the reman gear box someone tried to insert the square off tubing with "O" ring into the high pressure port and destroyed the internal reverse flare male brass fitting. Now Autozone has two damaged units that must return, and I had to find another supplier for the proper unit. My van is a 1992 ford e350 cutaway rv. I am now on my way to CarQuest/Advance parts to pick up another replacement unit and hoping it will not have damaged input pressure ports. Good Luck.
My buddy's 03 is bad. If you're pulling a wide load, you just gotta think thin and hope for the best! We'll probably be doing the same thing this summer (if we ever get a summer!). Thanks for the video and explination!
Hi Jake. I've got a 2004 f550 with 427000kms on it. It's never had a wrench on the motor. The other day the hose for the map sensor split and no power at all. Just something easy to change that makes a huge difference.
Nice fix Jake. Had to change the lower radiator hose on my 06 6.0. Found out why diesel mechanics get the big bucks. Pain in the neck, had to remove half the engine just to get to it. Take care, see you next post.
Good job Jake. I guess I need to pay attention to these Ford vids My Dad bought an old F350 with a deck a picker and he has our welder mounted on it. Truck has 285,000 miles so I should get to do some of these jobs. it came out of the oil patch so it is well used.
AndersonCattleCo. Oh boy ya u will get to check out all sorts of stuff let me know if I have any questions since we have had 5 of this body style trucks lol
that was very well explained Jake. been so long since ive done one of those. it brought back old memories or night mares. depending on who you ask. my brother had to do his front hubs on his pu he said i watched Jake so he did his lol. realy he is a real good auto mec. well i tried to make a drone video of fertilizing it fallowed me real good but i guy has to turn the camera on. my 2-135 is on the truck right now just left Wis.
Howard Younger haha ya the one I did on an IH truck one time was a pain to get off. Glad he could get some use full info from it! Oh well lol I’ve forgot to turn it on too. Hope it gets there and it’s all u hoped for! Thanks for watching
This will be a good reference if I ever fix my 03. Its not to bad yet and I don't get far from home. Reminds me of an old bread van tool crib I used to drive between jobs when I got outta school building pole barns. I believe it was a 250 or so cubic inch three speed on the tree and it was a workout to keep it on the road. Little while after I quit the box went out and the guy driving it went in the ditch. Good thing it wasn't a speed demon.
Jake Ziegler I took it home one night and my brother put a sign on the back that said honk if ya like Ford power, I thought they were honking because they were pissed at me going slow. Lol
I gotta do this to my 05 with 225,000 miles. It looks like there's enough room to get in there with a crows foot and a long extension to break it loose.
At first I thought you were working on a Dodge! Usually with taking apart steering components, we used a BFH instead of a puller of joint separator fork. Usually one or two good hits and they pop right apart
Hey Jake thanks for the vid, Do you HAVE to loosen the tie rod sleeve to tighten up the box? Or does that just serve the purpose for aligning the steering wheel? I’m just trying to get the slop out of mine so the alignment shop will do the alignment. They refused me and wanted my $1k to install a new steering box because of the play...
Ryan Ostmann I had to watch the video to remember what I had done. And the sleeve is for the steering wheel alignment but it makes it a lot easier to feel for play in the gear box if it is off.
I have to tighten mine up or replace it with a red head. Is it still holding up for you? I couldn't break mine loose i thought it was a metric allen wrench. Take care
Jake Ziegler Jake I loosened the jam but first then the Allen adjustment was super tight I prob need to get better access. I hate the steering slop I have an 05
you know they make these high tech things called "gloves" they can prevent knuckle skinning, and not being able to get a good grip on your grease gun nozzle lol Its a truck, your supposed to be able to have that much play in the steering lol our 98' chevy is bad, too, but only on the left side it seems like
Mine has a lot of free play. 1994 ford van 150. From what you read is there any danger of breaking it. Someone said you can’t turn it too much or the shalf fall out. And you said that the shaft is to move in. So the nuts counter clock wise to break loose turn it more so you can turn the shaft clock wise 1/4 at a time then lock it down. Is that right?
thomas yes that is correct. Turn the Allen head bolt clock wise. I’m not sure about it falling off. 94 is a different style steering box than my truck would be
I've got all new ball joints, new drag link and the tie rods and pitman arm don't have any play in them, is there anything else the play in my steering could be besides the steering box before I mess with it because I've heard you can bind up the steering box from tightening it
Now that your an old pro at adjusting steering boxes i have 2 PETERBILS and a KENWORTH that you can do next. Just let me know when to bring tnem by. LOL
Shop says I need to replace steering box to fix play in steering. I don't trust him. Can you tell whether you need to just tighten it up or replace the box? 2006 f250 4wd
It makes no difference how many turns I make, it doesn’t not affect steering play. And I have a lot of play in the wheel. I’ve went three full turns on that screw and no change in steering wheel play. Any thoughts?
Jake Ziegler yeah man they’re good. I just took the truck for a spin. I think it helped with the “dead zone” a little bit but still kind of feels like it has play if that makes sense. It also has an 8 inch lift so that may be a factor.
Hey jake I messaged you on Facebook the other day because I found a self propelled Cockshutt forage harvester with a cab and is in mint condition I can’t find anything about it online or even what the thing is worth I would love some input on this piece if you had the time
Thanks for sharing this, Jake. On my 2001 F250 it was a little easier to reach the gearbox. I had resolved that I was going to be replacing my truck this summer, but this fix has probably gotten me years more service out of it. It was to the point that it was almost dangerous to drive because a bump would cause the wheels to change direction. Replaced ball joints and supports, several alignments done (even at the dealership), and nothing made a significant difference. An afternoon spent with my son performing this adjustment and it’s like new.
Thanks for being so thorough as well.
Turn to the LORD and have all!!! He has what you need amen!!
My 2000 7.3 4x4 was accessible from the top and very easy to do. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for sharing. I have adjusted the steering box on my 99 f250 super duty once and it’s time to do it again.
well done young man. amazing how just that little amount of free play can take all the fun out of driving.
Soybean Farmer thanks man yes I sure like a tight truck
Dodge has about the same setup and have done a few myself. What really wears the steering box out the most is turning the wheel while its setting still. You see lots Turing around or backing out of a parking space and when they stop to go forward or backwards before they start moving they crank the on the wheel. I'm picky about the steering wheel being in the right position when going straight too.
oldfarmer that makes since it’s a lot of hard load. This truck did a lot of trailer work so I’m sure the backing up killed this one
Send your steering box to Redhead. They will remanufacture it with spec bearings and it will be much much better. I did my 2000 F-250 4x4 Diesel Crewcab and it made a huge difference. They are out of Auburn Washington. Very affordable.
How much did it cost? Or about how much would it cost to have one repaired?
Thanks for the guidance. I was able to tighten my steering gear box from undernearth without removing the air cleaner. Mine had a 11/16 nut on top of a 5/8 nut holding the 3/16 allen stem in place. I had tightened it twice already removing air box, but still needed a little more adjustment so I thought I would give it a shot. I ended up going about 2 complete turns of the stem altogether.
Thanks for the video, just installed a rebuilt gearbox on a 2003 superduty and was hoping an adjustment could correct the play problem. Was sweating the possibility of having to take the box off and exchange for another. Your video puts my mind at ease, simple adjustment should be all it takes.
Did you tighten it?
Great video! I have the 2005 250 Superduty with the first year coil suspension. The steering wheel has alot of slop even after changing tierod ends. Drag link...etc. Going to try this fix tonight and see what I can do. Thank you!
Im about to do the same on my early edition 08 which is the same steering box as the 05-07s. Let me know how that turns out
Six years later Jake I hope you're still agile like you were in the movie ? lol.. thanks helped my truck
01-2022 be advised that Ford used two type pressure hose ends for this period of vehicles. One used 'o' rings the other uses reverse flare tubing. Because some previous purchasers did not verify the reverse flare in the reman gear box someone tried to insert the square off tubing with "O" ring into the high pressure port and destroyed the internal reverse flare male brass fitting. Now Autozone has two damaged units that must return, and I had to find another supplier for the proper unit. My van is a 1992 ford e350 cutaway rv. I am now on my way to CarQuest/Advance parts to pick up another replacement unit and hoping it will not have damaged input pressure ports. Good Luck.
FYI the steering box from 2010 to early 2017 were built in Lafayette Indiana at TRW plant and sent to the assembly plants of Ford
Darrell Droke thanks for the info
My buddy's 03 is bad. If you're pulling a wide load, you just gotta think thin and hope for the best! We'll probably be doing the same thing this summer (if we ever get a summer!). Thanks for the video and explination!
burningdinosaurs LOL think thin😂 it’s pretty easy just let him break the jam nut loose since it’s his truck. Thanks for watching
Ha! yeah! It's his truck, let it be his knuckles!
Thanks my 06 dually is doing the same thing. Now I know what to do.
Nice work Jake. If I’m not bleeding I’m not working on something, lol.
Hi Jake. I've got a 2004 f550 with 427000kms on it. It's never had a wrench on the motor. The other day the hose for the map sensor split and no power at all. Just something easy to change that makes a huge difference.
massey man dang that’s great for a 6.0! I had the Exhaust back pressure sensor go out and I was running on about half power
Thanks Jake. Quick, slick and effective!
Thanks for taking the time!!1 I have the same issue on my 06 F350
Nice fix Jake. Had to change the lower radiator hose on my 06 6.0. Found out why diesel mechanics get the big bucks. Pain in the neck, had to remove half the engine just to get to it. Take care, see you next post.
Scott Viers thanks scott! Oh boy sounds like a fun project. I’m sure u praised the engineer lol
Good job Jake. I guess I need to pay attention to these Ford vids My Dad bought an old F350 with a deck a picker and he has our welder mounted on it. Truck has 285,000 miles so I should get to do some of these jobs. it came out of the oil patch so it is well used.
AndersonCattleCo. Oh boy ya u will get to check out all sorts of stuff let me know if I have any questions since we have had 5 of this body style trucks lol
Jake is very thorough !
Well i must have major problems...i had mine tightened up a bit and it's still wondering all over the place. Thumbs Up Jake!!
Rhino Wrecker thanks man ya u must need ball joints and tie rod ends
Track bar and ball joint could also be cause
do you have to take the tie rods bar out or could you just tighten up that nut and allen?
that was very well explained Jake. been so long since ive done one of those. it brought back old memories or night mares. depending on who you ask. my brother had to do his front hubs on his pu he said i watched Jake so he did his lol. realy he is a real good auto mec. well i tried to make a drone video of fertilizing it fallowed me real good but i guy has to turn the camera on. my 2-135 is on the truck right now just left Wis.
Howard Younger haha ya the one I did on an IH truck one time was a pain to get off. Glad he could get some use full info from it! Oh well lol I’ve forgot to turn it on too. Hope it gets there and it’s all u hoped for! Thanks for watching
This will be a good reference if I ever fix my 03. Its not to bad yet and I don't get far from home. Reminds me of an old bread van tool crib I used to drive between jobs when I got outta school building pole barns. I believe it was a 250 or so cubic inch three speed on the tree and it was a workout to keep it on the road. Little while after I quit the box went out and the guy driving it went in the ditch. Good thing it wasn't a speed demon.
mr Bill lol sounds like quite the piece! Ya 250 cubes ain’t gona push u that fast
Jake Ziegler I took it home one night and my brother put a sign on the back that said honk if ya like Ford power, I thought they were honking because they were pissed at me going slow. Lol
mr Bill Hahahaha
I gotta do this to my 05 with 225,000 miles. It looks like there's enough room to get in there with a crows foot and a long extension to break it loose.
Very informative video. I like it
Great video learned so much! Makes me wanna take a gander under our F-550 chipper truck then again im afraid of what i will discover lol!!
canuck farmer thanks! Ya just don’t look to close lol
You fix tractors, trucks, fabricate steel, damn Jake what Can't you do. lol, You would of made a great Crew Chief in the Air Force!
Thanks Jake great job
Thanks for the share. What is the brand of those tires and what is the size they look good!!
At first I thought you were working on a Dodge!
Usually with taking apart steering components, we used a BFH instead of a puller of joint separator fork. Usually one or two good hits and they pop right apart
LVF & Northern Wisconsin Farming lol I would’ve loved to use a BFH but I couldn’t swing it once in there
Yeah, that tends to present a problem then!
Northern Wisconsin farming on big ships they use a small dynamite charge to loosen propellers from their tapered shafts .... just a thought! 😂
Thanks for the informative video.
Hey Jake thanks for the vid, Do you HAVE to loosen the tie rod sleeve to tighten up the box? Or does that just serve the purpose for aligning the steering wheel? I’m just trying to get the slop out of mine so the alignment shop will do the alignment. They refused me and wanted my $1k to install a new steering box because of the play...
Thanks man, much appreciated.
Ryan Ostmann I had to watch the video to remember what I had done. And the sleeve is for the steering wheel alignment but it makes it a lot easier to feel for play in the gear box if it is off.
Thank you. This did the trick for mine as well.
Did it take your play out or just tighten the play?
Straight is good because if you are pulling a long trailer your ass end won't be going back and forth all over the place.
Wow that was easier than I thought it would be! Have you all had rain up there? We had like 18° temps last weekend... Not cool!!! 😁
Tractor Guru that’s cold for u guys! Ya it’s finally starting to dry out but will rain again Friday
Jake Ziegler Thats what they are saying for is down here too!
Very Helpful!👍🏻
Thanks for the video. . Would you share spec fro the camera.
Excellent!
Very helpful, thanks
I have to tighten mine up or replace it with a red head. Is it still holding up for you? I couldn't break mine loose i thought it was a metric allen wrench. Take care
Worlds Okayest Farmer yep still steers like new now. Did u loosen the jam nut?
Jake Ziegler Jake I loosened the jam but first then the Allen adjustment was super tight I prob need to get better access. I hate the steering slop I have an 05
Worlds Okayest Farmer ya just use a swivel and some extensions. Make sure u have the right Allen socket so u don’t round it out
you know they make these high tech things called "gloves" they can prevent knuckle skinning, and not being able to get a good grip on your grease gun nozzle lol Its a truck, your supposed to be able to have that much play in the steering lol our 98' chevy is bad, too, but only on the left side it seems like
C&J FARMS haha I’ve never been much for gloves when working with wrenches lol. As long as u can keep it between the ditches lol. Thanks for watching
6 oh sounds good!!
Michigan Farming thanks man
Thank you 🙏..
Thanks Jake I am going at it.
69druth good! Should be fairly easy
Excellent! Worked great! 1 turn for me also. But now cant turn left or right! Just kidding
Don't look like much play but time it get to the wheel through all the rods it turns into a lot.
joe tiller yes it sure does. About 5 joints
Mine has a lot of free play. 1994 ford van 150. From what you read is there any danger of breaking it. Someone said you can’t turn it too much or the shalf fall out. And you said that the shaft is to move in. So the nuts counter clock wise to break loose turn it more so you can turn the shaft clock wise 1/4 at a time then lock it down. Is that right?
thomas yes that is correct. Turn the Allen head bolt clock wise. I’m not sure about it falling off. 94 is a different style steering box than my truck would be
Thank jake. I seen many other do it the same. It’s 800-900 to replace. I try it later, as I got another project going.
I've got all new ball joints, new drag link and the tie rods and pitman arm don't have any play in them, is there anything else the play in my steering could be besides the steering box before I mess with it because I've heard you can bind up the steering box from tightening it
Great vid by the way, really appreciate it
D3ad T3d Gam3s thanks and gear box is the only thing left other than the steering shaft. At 8:10 I explain how to make sure it doesn’t bind
Ok cool thanks man!
Now that your an old pro at adjusting steering boxes i have 2 PETERBILS and a KENWORTH that you can do next. Just let me know when to bring tnem by. LOL
SSnyder Trucking haha thanks man next time ur in Illinois swing on by and I’ll tighten them up
Hi, just checking in to see if your steering is still has minimal play. Thanks for the info.
Yes have put about 25,000 on it since this video
Shop says I need to replace steering box to fix play in steering. I don't trust him. Can you tell whether you need to just tighten it up or replace the box? 2006 f250 4wd
No but I’d bet it just needs tightened. That’s prolly the shops way of selling more parts
@@jakeziegler599 thanks
It makes no difference how many turns I make, it doesn’t not affect steering play. And I have a lot of play in the wheel. I’ve went three full turns on that screw and no change in steering wheel play. Any thoughts?
Are u sure ur tie rods or ball joints are tight?
Jake Ziegler yeah man they’re good. I just took the truck for a spin. I think it helped with the “dead zone” a little bit but still kind of feels like it has play if that makes sense. It also has an 8 inch lift so that may be a factor.
Zach Reynolds ya the lift will make probably will make the play greater
Jake Ziegler thanks man. I bought it like that. Hate how lifted it is. Keep up the good vids.
Another good informative how to tutorial. Yep, every once in a while, a blood sacrifice is required when working with wrenches. LOL Stay safe.
crslyrn yes it is! Thanks bud!
Hey jake I messaged you on Facebook the other day because I found a self propelled Cockshutt forage harvester with a cab and is in mint condition I can’t find anything about it online or even what the thing is worth I would love some input on this piece if you had the time
Can you use this same method on a 2014?
Ya, that fan cover makes a hell of a clean cut... lol too lazy to take it off
Why was it so easy to turn the adjustment bolt?? Mine seems like it's seized 😣
Brent Murray did u loosen the jam nut?
Jake Ziegler turns out there were two nuts on mine and I couldn't see the second one until I took the top one off
hi do i turn clockwise for allen key or counter clockwise
bo duke clock wise. Check it about every 1/4 turn
thankyou sir
That was NOT your problem. The play looked minimal.
I only showed the steering after it was tightened up
Ya didn’t say which way ya turned it
good upside down camera work. You'll always have something to work on with that truck...jk
DLK HAY ya I figured I’d see what u dodge guys go through LOL thanks for watching
OMG a 12 min. video that should be 2 mins. tops.
Turn to the LORD and have all!!! He has what you need amen!!
No ! doing it ALL WRONG .
It’s called a worm gear