serious help! lost steering while driving

[harleytech]

the steering shaft came loose from the steering box while i was driving down the road. the splined end of the shaft where it goes into the steering box screwed all the way into the box allowing the shaft to come loose and pour fluid everywhere and me to loose all steering. how do i fix this?is the box totally bad?

 

[Earl43P]

Depending on how it failed, part of that box is easy to disassmble and replace seals.

Hard part is pulling the box to take the cover off. I've only replaced a seal in the top of one of those and I ended up making the seal from a big O-ring I got at a tractor supply house. Razor cut it beveled and rtv'd the joint, plus a film on the mating surface. He's still driving it on that fix.

If it isn't leaking from the Pitman arm end (bottom, and also doable, more work=puller), I'd at least pull it, pull it apart and try. You might also get a good NAPA guy to find you a rebuild kit. I recall finding rebuild kits for it somewhere on the net, but didn't go that route after we saw the deteriorated seal causing his leak.

Be aware if you replace it, the Scab and Reg cab use a different ratio.

I am puzzled that your pinch bolt to keep the splined joint tight came loose. Should have felt that slop for a LONG time before it got to the disconnection point!

 

[AllanD]

Be aware if you replace it, the Scab and Reg cab use a different ratio.

Since when?

SFAIK and as far as I can determine there is ONE steering box that works on all F-150, F-250, F350 from 1980-1996
All rangers from 1983-97 and Explorers from 1991-94

If there is one with a different (presumably faster) ratio I'd LOVe to hear about it...

Allegedly there was a fast ratio box used in some F-350 chassis-cabs that were built with the ambulance prep package, but this is still undocumented and unverified.

AD

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Won't a manual steering box have a different ratio? Not faster though, it seemed like I had to turn the steering wheel in my Ranger with manual steering ALOT further than any I had with power steering...

 

[AllanD]

Won't a manual steering box have a different ratio? Not faster though, it seemed like I had to turn the steering wheel in my Ranger with manual steering ALOT further than any I had with power steering...

Within power steering boxes...

The manual steering boxes are unique to Rangers.

there are two different manual steering boxes the "normal" one and the variable ratio one, but neither is any wonder winner (both are a POS)

Neither was ever installed in a 2wd Ranger with other than whatever 4cyl was base equipment at the time

Once upon a time I had an '86 2.0 truck with a manual steering box
I got it as a basket case (busted timing belt) reassembled it, drove
it around the block three or four times and sold it to the first guy
willing to give me $500 for it.

I miss it not at all, I miss the manual steering box even less.

AD

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Within power steering boxes...

The manual steering boxes are unique to Rangers.

there are two different manual steering boxes the "normal" one and the variable ratio one, but neither is any wonder winner (both are a POS)

Neither was ever installed in a 2wd Ranger with other than whatever 4cyl was base equipment at the time

Once upon a time I had an '86 2.0 truck with a manual steering box
I got it as a basket case (busted timing belt) reassembled it, drove
it around the block three or four times and sold it to the first guy
willing to give me $500 for it.

I miss it not at all, I miss the manual steering box even less.

AD

Ah, I liked my manual steering box Ranger... I even learned to parallel park in it...

 

[Will]

I'm a wussy. I like my powersteering 60s-80s style--no feedback through the wheel, lots and lots of power steering. 4,000# of weight on the front axle--spin it with a turkey feather. Manual steering is for men that spurn deoderant.

Of course my daily driver doesn't have power steering, but I'm working through my complex.

 

[Sunk]

Will, that makes me remember my old '73 Torino.... I'd drive that thing with one pinky wrapped around the bottom of the wheel, and even that was overkill. I agree, that is power steering at it's finest.

 

[Earl43P]

Since when?

SFAIK and as far as I can determine there is ONE steering box that works on all F-150, F-250, F350 from 1980-1996
All rangers from 1983-97 and Explorers from 1991-94

If there is one with a different (presumably faster) ratio I'd LOVe to hear about it...

Allegedly there was a fast ratio box used in some F-350 chassis-cabs that were built with the ambulance prep package, but this is still undocumented and unverified.

AD

Good catch. I cornfused "Rack" for "Box" from back when I ordered a new rack for my 2000. The Scab RACK has a faster ratio (fewer turns, lock to lock) than the reg cab.

 

[AllanD]

My "go fast" car has manual steering, partly because on a car that is capable of ~145mph you want all the steering feedback you can get and partly because if you don't have power steering it can't fail at an inconvenient moment...

I also had issues keeping the P/S pump alive on an engine that was revlimited
to 7400rpm because that was my "max effort" upshift point.

AD