Steering Box Adjustment - How To Tighten to Fix Slop/Free Play/Wobble | Tech Tip 23

Excessive Slop or Freeplay at the Steering Wheel causing a Wobble? Feel like you're disconnected from the road? You could be suffering from a loose steering box. My 2005 Ford Ranger was, so in this video I'm going to make an adjustment & tighten it up a bit. Providing gaining access isn't too difficult, this should be a relatively simple job for most vehicles, and will make a big difference to steering response and feel.
The vehicle in this video is my trusty 2005 Ford Ranger 2.5TDI. If you have one of these trucks, or are just looking for more Ford Ranger related content, check out this playlist right here:
• Ford Ranger / Mazda B2500
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[@jdlestina3882]

Thanks for the video. I have experience rebuilding and adjusting steering gear boxes but will use this to send to people to explain why they need adjustments after many miles of use. However, I would recommend that after adjusting as much play as possible from the screw adjustment, you should raise both front wheels off the ground and spin the steering wheel lock to lock to check for binding. If a tight spot is detected, loosen the adjusting screw just enough to eliminate the binding. The steering wheel should turn smoothly with just the force of one finger. It's better to check for binding before taking it out on the road.

[@randynickels7363]

Thanks for the clear and concise video, well done.

[@FastRust]

You're welcome! Thanks for feedback.

[@theworldaccordingtowazza5768]

Thanks heaps mate. Just sorted mine out thanks to your video. Been putting up with for ages

[@FastRust]

Great stuff, glad to hear it!

[@alexshatner3907]

@@FastRust The problem is that I am exhausted all means to loosen the nut to adjust the play, even used commercial air tools, crow bars for leverage and still will not loosen the nut any ideas?

[@TheWiseGoatTrainer]

crackin video dude, I didn't realise these were adjustable until watching this. Might have just saved me 200 quid! Thanks

[@FastRust]

Cheers. Hope the adjustment sorts you out!

[@timashley7017]

Thanks for the tip. Easy money!

[@regalmatters8993]

Another great video. Made this adjustment to my truck, difference is night and day. Thanks!

[@FastRust]

Great stuff. Cheers!

[@christophermoses1225]

My clutch peddle sounded the same 😄 Just some lubricating spray on the peddle mechanism, and its perfect. Thanks for the video. I will go and adjust my ASAP.

[@FastRust]

Thanks for the tip. It's been like that for so long I think I've just got used to it. It annoys passengers though so I'll do it for them 👍🏻

[@1977np]

Thanks for this video. I've saved your play list. Can you say what the problem might be if turning steering wheel is a little hard?

[@jake_break9185]

Hello from Tennessee. Very helpful video👍 you taught me everything I needed to know to tighten my steering on my Chevy S10. Thanks I appreciate it!

[@leongrimes7473]

I have a 2002 GMC Sonoma S15. I would like for my S15 to be more responsive. Did you try what he did in the video yet?

[@javaquickscope7300]

Thank you so much, I have a 2008 ranger which I hope is adjustable also. My mechanic told me it couldn’t be adjusted but I’m hopeful. Amount of slop is scary as it is

[@FastRust]

From what I gather in the comments the setup is the same on the mk3 Rangers, so you should be able to do it. Good luck.

[@riaancoetzer9015]

This is most valuable to me. Thank you very much!!

[@FastRust]

Ha. Great to hear!!

[@ToyotaLand4d56]

Thanks for this tutorial.

[@FastRust]

Welcome mate. Cheers.

[@deloarojas1]

Thank you fast and easy. I'm going to try it

[@FastRust]

Hey who said I'm easy?! 🤣 Nice one good luck

[@ismihaidar2181]

Thank you very much brother.. Your explanation was so clear.. ❤❤I own the same Ranger WL from Malaysia.

[@FastRust]

Nice one bro. Glad it helped.

[@shooter8742]

About as good as a video gets really, well done.

[@FastRust]

Kind words! Thankyou 👍🏻

[@WayneBarronsVlog]

Thanks for the video. Gave it a try with my 83 ranger but unfortunately it did not resolve the issue I have. I'm thinking it is a steering column issue.

[@krischin4802]

Great tutorial mate, and well filmed. I could have followed it deaf!

[@FastRust]

Hmm.. that'd make filming these videos a lot easier 🤣 Cheers

[@4x4simon4x4simon]

Good video. Thanks

[@ssmouse77]

Excellent.

[@derekbrandenburg9573]

Great video! I've watched about 5 of these and this was the best by far. You earned a subscriber sir!

[@derekbrandenburg9573]

Now to put this new knowledge to use on my van!!

[@FastRust]

Thanks Derek. Your sub is appreciated!

[@ETA555]

Nice info

[@aidaamer2066]

Thank you so much. May I ask you anything regarding any part of the vehicle when I need it please?

[@FastRust]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I don't do Q&A but if you want to send a question via email to [e-mail], I'll reply as soon as I can.

[@johndabato3316]

Well...that was easy enough, thanks for the tips. You forgot to mention the rusted bolts holding the battery shelf. Bolts did break off easy enough. After much drilling and cussing and skinned knuckles, and a few hours of sanding treating the surface with anti rust product and painting, finally got done.😵 Just thought I would mention this because it did take the better part of the day. 😉 Rust...our most hated companion living in our older vehicles! Hang in there, friends, as long as the wheels are not falling off, there's hope! 🤣

[@FastRust]

Agh I used to curse the Haynes manual for this.. 'just undo this bolt and this bolt'. On an old car there's no 'just' undo anything! Sorry to hear this job bit you, I must have got lucky 😅

[@johndabato3316]

@@FastRust Thanks. No worries: the end result is what matters! 🤣

[@FastRust]

Indeed. Cheers!

[@Alpha-ms9nj]

Great info. Gotta try this on my old Jeep ZJ. Thanks for sharing this, much appreciated.

[@FastRust]

Glad to help. Been looking at a few XJs recently..

[@Classiccarbscouk]

Nice one 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎩

[@homer97027]

Thanks for the video. Right to the point. Not sure if you noticed but they built your truck backwards with the wheel on the wrong side. :)

[@FastRust]

Ha I know I know, watch the video in the mirror if it makes you feel better 😉

[@mikeselling2203]

Excellent video, same year and model as my truck so spot on, keep it up please.

[@FastRust]

Cheers Mike. Great truck. There's quite a few tech tips on it 👍🏻

[@mikeselling2203]

@@FastRust Thank`s FR will check them out, as you say great truck`s. Mine`s on a 55 plate and only 103 k so hopefully a way to go yet .

[@FastRust]

Mines also a '55 but pushing nearly 165k. Still runs great! You've got a good few miles in yours yet

[@MikeHudsontek]

Thanks for this vid. I didn't mark the position though and totally lost track and now I don't know how to get it in the right position again. Any tips? Also, should this slack be checked with the engine off?

[@FastRust]

You can do it either way. I check it with the engine off because you have to remove the battery to make an adjustment, so it makes it a more consistent test.

[@FastRust]

As for losing position on the adjuster, not ideal! You'll have to adjust on freeplay at the wheel.

[@8COLEMAN3]

Cheers mate

[@victormalagon5172]

I've had this problem for several years and recently has become worse. I will see if this can be done on mine. Hopefully it works. Thank you

[@FastRust]

Could well help you out, but equally check all tie rods etc for play. Could also cause this issue.

[@jeremykemp3782]

Hi there, is the 2007 B2500 the same as your model? UK right hand drive on a late 56 plate. Thanks

[@paulthompson1654]

This was an "early"" World Ford Ranger 2.5 ltr . The USA had similar but not identical and after approx `05-06 the NEW WORLD Ranger was released as a 2.5/3.o Ltr T/D DID . Steering drift/wander can be also caster adjustment ,,not enough positive caster

[@rosco4659]

My 2006 had about 80mm slop until last week when some rough lanes at work increased it to about 140mm with a slight crunching sound. New steering box ready to go in this weekend. Terrifying to drive.

[@FastRust]

Bummer, any crunching and it's probably done for so good move swapping it out 👍

[@jake_break9185]

I had about the same slack in my truck steering. Very terrifying the couple of times i was on the interstate doing 70mph. Lol😆

[@rosco4659]

@@jake_break9185 Not fun is it, especially in the wind.

[@victord5462]

This helped me a lot on my Ranger. On USDM 4.0 Rangers the steering box is in a tricky spot below the AC compressor though. Anyway, it rides nice and doesn't bind when I'm out and about but what I do notice is that, with the wheels jacked off the ground, the steering wheel gets hard to turn at the very end of the range in each direction and the pump gets louder too. I'm pretty sure it was always like that but want to make sure that that is normal. My other car has an electronic steering rack so I have nothing to compare to.

[@FastRust]

Does this happen when you're hitting the lock stops? If so it's normal. Glad you found the video useful.

[@abdalqadr1]

Greetings for you from Iraq

[@FastRust]

How do?

[@NAPTOWN-jf7xu]

Hey buddy any tips on why my tires fill like there going to pop off, when I cut the wheel far,also I just put a new cv axle on the front passenger inn new strut right front side..any tips bud

[@FastRust]

Errrm, new tyres?!

[@jnabors1052]

What about a 96 mazda b2300

[@BBB-ly8ro]

Hey someone using a slotted screwdriver on a vehicle instead of a paint can. Good vid

[@FastRust]

Thanks!

[@martinmartin1573]

Is the steering wheel get heavier after the adjustment?

[@FastRust]

No. Possibly tightened too much

[@MilitanT07]

my steering wheel (RRS 2014) wobbles back and forth (not in a normal rotating direction). What is that?

[@FastRust]

Hard to say but sounds column related. Sometimes there's a rubber dampener in there that can split/degrade?

[@karentee9679]

👍👍

[@SenfMustard]

What happens if you’ve over tightened it? Even tried loosening it and now everything feels bad

[@jonathanrodriguez-qh1yt]

My steering wheel has play from 12 o'clock to 2 clock,so how much should I tighten? I heard it can destroy my steerong box if tightened too much

[@FastRust]

1/8 turn then test. Rinse and repeat.

[@antoniopalmero4063]

Try quarter turn then take her for a spin, if you feel any tightness whilst driving then loosen a tad.

[@thecarguys910]

I did a half turn on the adjuster is that too much? I've got around 25mm of play after adjusting

[@FastRust]

You've still got some play so that should be fine. Check for binding when turning lock to lock.

[@thecarguys910]

How do you check for that? Does that mean when you turn to full lock it gets tight? Thank

[@FastRust]

Yes absolutely right. Easiest way to check for this is jack the car up so front wheels are off the ground. Start the engine and turn lock to lock. If you feel any tightness when you go through this motion, you've gone too far.

[@billyjack8119]

Steering boxes are cheap. I was told not to ever screw the center tighter by the manufacturer but on bucket of crap a little is ok. A rebuilt steering box goes on quick for about $125 or so its worth it.

[@FastRust]

While I agree if you're having to adjust it regularly or by a large amount it might be time for a new box. But in a lot of cases a small adjustment is all that's needed to improve the drive. Even if a new box is only 125 quid, that's 125 quid I'd rather keep in my back pocket than spend on a part I don't need.

[@billyjack8119]

@MANSQUITO any parts store has a rebuilt one and will accept yours for a core

[@billyjack8119]

@MANSQUITO after market tends to be on the cheap side if thats what you want to know

[@PaulMcLove]

👍😉😀

[@ziyakucuk4082]

👍🚙🚗

[@spankymagee]

My Honda CRV has ZERO play and the problem is when you're going fast with your hand resting on the wheel....every bump or any movement aggressively sloshes you side to side. With these top heavier 2008 models I could see ending up in a ditch.

[@martinpartida9699]

You figured out ?

[@michaelaguirre18]

You need alignment your tires are toed out. Toed out tired make your turning VERY responsive

[@Ingenious937]

I had this problem and had bad shocks

[@petereaton2189]

Is it the on a 2008 ford ranger the same method

[@FastRust]

I think it is. If you peek under the offside front wheel well you should see the steering box. You won't be able to access the adjuster from there though.

[@petereaton2189]

@@FastRust thanks done and dusted cheers

[@dmvlos3929]

Is this the same for ford ranger 93

[@FastRust]

How you adjust the box will be very similar. How you get to the adjuster will most likely be different.

[@miguelzepeda20]

i got a 1980 f250 ranger .... so far ive turned that middle screw like 3 full turns .. every time i give it a half turn it gets a little better but in a month or 2 it goes back to sloppy .... i guess mine is fucked up and long gone LOL

[@FastRust]

Yeah sounds like it's too far gone. Eventually you'll run out of adjustment then it's new box time. If it's original it aint done too bad!

[@louiebrown2]

I adjusted my one the same way and oil started leaking

[@FastRust]

From where??

[@louiebrown2]

From the adjustment screw

[@FastRust]

Weird, have you nipped the locknut down tight? If so you could try backing off the locknut again (making sure the adjustment screw doesn't move) then apply a dab of sealer under it then re tighten.

[@louiebrown2]

Yes I did that and it works perfectly thanks very much

[@FastRust]

Great stuff.

[@rickduff3147]

I see the problem, your steering wheel’s on the wrong side! 😬

[@FastRust]

You mean the right side

[@Billy28376]

Adjusted steering box now steering wheel on wrong side. 😆 sorry couldn't help it.

[@FastRust]

ha ha! Think you went a little too far mate!

[@parvez2103]

You are better off than my neighbour. He tightened it so much he removed the windshield and has to sit on the bonnet now to be able to be 'Behind the Wheel'!

[@saintpeterson5275]

You wasted time in removing the batteries and others. A Japanese vehicle should have made your job easier.

[@FastRust]

Yes sadly getting to the adjustment screw in this case is harder than making the adjustment. Got the engineer to thank for that one.

[@tunnelportterror]

you did not tighten it 1/4 turn, watching closely while you turned it, you went a full 1/2 turn ! that's too much

[@FastRust]

I'm not sure how you're working this out but a quarter turn to me is 90 degrees, half would be 180 degrees. I may have gone a fraction more than 90 after re-watching, but no where near 180. Just to clarify for people attempting this for the first time - to be on the safe side adjust 1/8 turn at a time, rechecking free play after each adjustment.

[@whiteknightcat]

I saw a 90 degree turn, thus 1/4 turn. Don't know what in the world you consider a "turn".

[@Blastfence1]

The steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car 🚙