F150/F250/F350/F450/F550 loose steering fix.

How to fix steering slop in five minutes.

[@77blawrence]

I know this is 3 years old....but.... YOU JUST MADE MY DAY WITH THIS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! The old Excursion was getting a little loose.

[@marshall32781]

Just whatever you do stop as soon as you feel it get snug. Do not jam it down. You can ruin your hole gear box.

[@ShelbyBikeBoy]

Gotta be careful doing this. If you overtighten this screw, it will slow the recoil as you round corners. Too much tension and you’ll notice it. Not hating, cuz you are so right....just gotta go easy on that screw. 👊 Great video!

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

It can wear out and fail much quicker if it's not tightened properly. It doesn't take much to ruin things.

[@marshall32781]

Yep. That's why you take your time and do it property. Never rush.

[@skroy8671]

I have slop on my 95 F150 and forgot all about this adjustment. Thanks for the reminder!!

[@The_Wood]

Right on, sir. I have that slop in the steering of my '01 F-250 and it absolutely sucks. This is next on my to-do list. Thank you for the video. 👍👍

[@albertchavez2693]

One of my EX mechanics told me my 2000 f150 4x4 doesn't have that adjustment ? OMG i will check tomorrow morning. and if he was a LIAR i will go to him and ask him why all the front end parts almost 3K and steering was still dumb ?

[@gagesmith7460]

Did it work

[@southerncross3638]

01 Ford Excursion has this problem Thanks for the video.😅

[@spanishlavender7518]

This may seem like a simple video, but you learn so much from it.... I really needed this thanks

[@marshall32781]

Your very welcome. I'm glad I could help.

[@topcat5988]

Is the Quarter back turn proper procedure for the backlash? I’m guessing it is. Great video! Thank you.

[@fortunatedad7695]

Had a 2005 excursion that was just like how you described. Hmm if that's all I have to do, then maybe I will try and go get another. Loved everything about that SUV other than the loose steering. Thanks for the video

[@johnmayes9222]

Thanks I’ve been going crazy with this sloppy stearin.. you just made my day !!!

[@user-lf7en6rf8m]

Bro thank you so very much, i purchased a u haul box truck with a 7.3 desiel, i really need to fix this problem, thank you, phx az 👍

[@charlespalmer7706]

This is what I have been looking for thanks for the video

[@btwbrand]

Information for anyone watching this video and considering making this adjustment. You need to do this when the steering wheel and tires are centered. If you do this as described when the wheels are turned you will create a bind in the steering and the wheel may not return to the center after taking a turn and cause accelerated wear of your steering box. In extreme maladjustment you could crack the housing of your steering box. When doing this adjustment you are reducing a very small amount of gear tooth play that is designed to exist. Complete removal of this play is not a good idea.

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

That screw is not to adjust pressure, it’s to adjust the back lash and play on the worm gear in the box.

[@444Inlakesh]

I would not touch it

[@michaelcurtis5040]

My man! Thank you! This video was very helpful!

[@billie-leelawhon3941]

My 2005 Ford Excursion is horrible! You have to DRIVE this thing. Makes my arms hurt from constant back and forth movement. Gonna give this a try.

[@marshall32781]

I hope it works for you. That dose suck. Especially on long trips. If you haven't already don't forget to look at your ball joints also. Make sure there not sloppy

[@billie-leelawhon3941]

@@marshall32781 We just put a new stabilizer bar on. Tomorrow we will do the steering box. The ball joints look like original equipment. Dealer put new shocks on but it looks like that's all he did. 1 thing at a time.

[@marshall32781]

@@billie-leelawhon3941 just remember don't crank down on the pilot needle. Be very gentle. If you damage the needle your gear box will be junk. Just be very gentle with it. Take your time.

[@Powerstroke431]

Horrible advice regarding screwiin all the way and then backing off! The PROPER procedure is to do a 1/8th turn clockwise of the centre screw then tighten outer lock nut and go for test drive and repeat as necessary till steering is improved. The method described in this video is a sure fire way to grenade your steering box and that is EXTREMELY dangerous at city speeds let also on the highway.

[@carolinawestern3875]

That's the worm gear you're adjusting and you only wanna do minor movements at a time. About 1/4 - 3/8 adjustments, then test drive it. The problem I'm dealing with is the steering wheel itself and the bearing. I need the rebuild kit.

[@drewdrew6.0]

I have a problem with my steering wheel , could it be the rag joint going to the steering box ?

[@carolinawestern3875]

@@drewdrew6.0 depends on what type of issues you're having. What type of vehicle and describe in detail the symptoms.

[@drewdrew6.0]

@@carolinawestern3875 2006 ford f250 , it drives very straight but the steering itself is really loose , about a 1/4 turn or less until it actually turns , only thing is , the steering box is a reman

[@carolinawestern3875]

@@drewdrew6.0 sounds like it needs adjustment. Atop the steering box is a threaded stud. With a hex head or recessed Allen wrench fitting on it's end, and a lock nut at bottom. Hold the stud in place and loosen the lock nut. Turn the stud clock wise 1/4 turn. Snug the lock nut and test drive it. Do this until the steering feels ok to you. My boss has 4 F250's & they all needed this.

[@drewdrew6.0]

@@carolinawestern3875 I notice that everything is tight except the top shaft , the input shaft that connects to the rag joint , it has a very good amount of play from the wheel to that input shaft , but the lower shaft stays in place, will this adjustment fix it ?

[@jameshawk2470]

TY. Gonna try when I get home from work. Nice man 👍🏻

[@joefitness657]

thanks man i wish i could have a video on my channel as helpful as this one you are awesome

[@oldman8141]

This is great I believe it will fix my problem! Now tell me where to get cheap big tires 😂😂😂

[@danemartin5288]

Nice we both did steering today. We did the big cyl swap

[@marshall32781]

Nice.

[@lucymertz6833]

I did the same thing on my Chevy truck. Thank you for this fix.

[@LimaTangoZulu]

I adjusted the screw to that spec, tighten until it stops, then back off 1/4th turn. It’s tighter, but it feels stiff. It’s not binging or grinding, but it feels stiff.

[@marshall32781]

If it's to stiff just back off another 1/8 turn out at a time until if feels perfect for you.

[@LimaTangoZulu]

@@marshall32781 ended up needing a full turn out, and it’s still slightly stiff. Maybe time for a new power steering pump.

[@goldenlira1]

Can mess up your g box

[@hose_A]

Other videos recommended 1/8 turn, tighten nut, test, and keep adjusting as needed with 1/8 turns to not bind and possibly ruin the steering box.

[@marshall32781]

That's up to you on what you want to do. This dose work. You just have to be careful when you adjust it all the way down so you don't ruin. The needle o. You pilot. You don't habe to do it this way that is 100% up to you on how you think it should be done. I'm just giving you on how I do it and never had any issues.

[@frankharmon-s2s]

Thank you for the easy fix.

[@Controlledchaosjeep]

Great video I’ll have to try this on my truck! Just subscribed!

[@marshall32781]

Thank you. Glad I could help.

[@Controlledchaosjeep]

@@marshall32781 thank you! Like that truck!

[@scottweinstein4255]

2000 Ex 7.3l... I thought you only tightened the hex 1/4 turn at a time. This was tighten and then back off 1/4 turn. Sure don't want to screw this up, so which is correct?

[@marshall32781]

You tighten all the way down till your screw stops, but very softly so you don't damage your pilot point. Then back off a 1/4 turn and tighten your lock nut.

[@bartman898]

Hopefully this will work for my old van.

[@LouC518]

BAD ASS THANKYOU!!!!

[@rileyshelnutt3143]

Thanks. That was an easy fix.

[@392643]

Very helpful…thanks

[@cartertanya1258]

Sorry with out turning steering with no weight on it left to right to fing the ware spot then adjust

[@sideefex]

You explained it easy peasy. Thank you!

[@TheBirdandEagle]

Thank you. 😀😀

[@grumpyshorts1056]

So do you 1/4 turn on the allen, drive it to check it, then some more if needed? thanks I have an E-450 frame under a small Class C RV.

[@marshall32781]

Yes 1/4 turn out. If your steering is still loose after that, you may want to look into a new steer box.

[@marshall32781]

Or check you ball joints for play.

[@bond.lb7]

even if my trucks solid axle swapped with a dana 60 out of an 86 f350 this should work for sloppy steering keep in mind i have a 12 inch lift and 37s or if there’s anything else it could be can someone help me

[@marshall32781]

Yeah if you lower your suspension. That is a really high center of gravity.

[@jon-xq2lc]

I bumped into a small tie wall and whipped my steering wheel with my thumb in it, now my steering wheel in way off. Any idea what happened. Nothing seems bent.

[@marshall32781]

I couldn't tell you anything for certain. I would have to look at everything. I would take it to a brake shop to get the alignment checked out.

[@thatdudeinblack8707]

Does this apply to a ford e250 van

[@marshall32781]

@@thatdudeinblack8707 it should. It's the same as a truck but with a van frame.

[@TTTray13467]

Keeps ya awake lol

[@justsayin7937]

What year model and is this electronic or hydraulic steering?

[@marshall32781]

@justsayin7937 not really sure what model it is. I never looked

[@travissk5036]

Thankyou

[@pjcampion1442]

I did this exactly as you said and my steering went from loose to so tight it sticks when you let go of the wheel and won’t come back after corners… I thought maybe it was too tight so I loostened another 1/4 and drove it and no better. Kept loostening and testing until it was all the way unthreaded and still sticks. Any idea what is going on? I can’t even drive it like this. 98 Ford Lariat F-150 5.4

[@marshall32781]

You didn't tighten it to tight at first did you?. Sounds like you may have damaged your pilot needle. That's not a good thing.

[@pjcampion1442]

I just snugged it up, then backed it off. In the video you say until it’s tight. I didn’t reef it down or anything.

[@marshall32781]

@@pjcampion1442 did you jack up both steer tires off the ground and try steering? Check your fluid level? You may have gotten air in the system.

[@jesusmejia1334]

If you’re gonna do this make sure your steering wheel is straight.

[@yep5689]

Is this on a 2006 F150 XLT 4X4 5.4 triton

[@marshall32781]

No a 1999 F250SD 4x4 7.3

[@delnunez-el6sf]

What is that silver button or switch behind steering wheel

[@marshall32781]

That is a switch I installed for my fuel pump for my auxiliary fuel tank.

[@americannic]

Great share!

[@procdaddy12]

Gonna try this

[@bryanblancas2968]

So loosen nut then tighten allen reverse 1/4 turn then tighten the nut back? Is that right

[@marshall32781]

Yes but be very careful on thighting the Allen one. Go slow until you feel the slightest resistance or else you will destroy your gear box. Also don't forget when you tighten the nut keep the Allen on the bolt so it doesn't move on you.

[@LouC518]

I have a question, which one am i tightening, and which one am i holding? A little confused

[@marshall32781]

You want to hold the nut when you tighten the screw. Then when your screw is set where you want it. You hold the screw with your hex wrench when you tighten the nut. That's so you don't loose your adjustment you just made.

[@marshall32781]

Did you end up figuring it out?

[@LouC518]

@The Technician hey I ended up with another 250 and just found your video again lol, I ended up fixing my other 250. going to use this on my new truck, thankyou!!!

[@marshall32781]

Your very welcome.

[@XCaliberProtectionAgency]

Thanks!

[@Abyou35]

Thank you

[@trevorashton4598]

Omf thank you deeply for this information after I sent 6 grand redid all the bottom end did new steering pump new steering box and now I see this video 🤮🤣

[@kevindillard183]

Thank U!

[@danielr5565]

whats that part called??

[@marshall32781]

It's a pilot valve.

[@shammariba]

It would have been better and clearer if you had visually demonstrated how it should be done.

[@marshall32781]

I tried. It was so tight and dark in that area my hands would have been in the way and couldn't see anything I was doing.

[@junkworks1]

good show

[@deldel3370]

I had a mechanic change out my links

[@marshall32781]

Did it fix the problem?

[@deldel3370]

Nope... you already know

[@marshall32781]

@@deldel3370 I'm sorry you wasted your money then. That's why I always work on my own stuff.

[@Cadizj53]

Thanks to easy!

[@marshall32781]

Your welcome.

[@drewdrew6.0]

I just put a 2019 6.7 f250 box in mine that only have 35k miles on it , and still have this problem

[@marshall32781]

Probably a stupid question, did you check all your ball joints?

[@drewdrew6.0]

@@marshall32781 needed a couple adjustments, everything is tight now and I have no play at all and it turns like a 2019 now

[@clems6989]

You are screwing with the pinion preload..

[@marshall32781]

Yes.

[@harly108023]

I’d replace the steering box and it didn’t fix anything

[@marshall32781]

@harly108023 you replaced you steer box and you still have steer slop?

[@harly108023]

@@marshall32781yes sir I don’t know what to do now

[@harly108023]

All my suspension parts are new (ball joints, tie rods, pitman arm, steering pump as well, wheels bearings and the problem still there

[@marshall32781]

@harly108023 you check your ball joints. They may be worn out. I would do a full inspection on your front end. Jack both front tires off the ground. Grab your tires with your hands. Move your tires back and forth from side to side, look for anything loose in your joints. Then grab the top and bottom of your tires and pull and push to check you king pins or bushings.

[@marshall32781]

@harly108023 sorry I didn't see that you did all that already. What about the steering u joinst and shaft going to your gear box?

[@Jackson-hx6fr]

Does not work on f150 have 98 and 2001 don't have the adjustment

[@marshall32781]

You should have it. All steer boxes have to have that adjustment. Yours my be in a different location on the truck.