WAYYY loose steering

[toddsinclair]

Hi:

I bought a severely abused 87 Ranger 4x4, PS, PB, 2.9L. The steering seems to be very, very loose...a lot of bump steering. I mean, the play in the wheel action has to be about 3-4 inches side to side before the wheel turns, and it's kinda dangerous to drive at low speeds because it'll wander. Is there a way to tighten this up?

Thanks. You can post here or send directly to my e-mail toddsinclair@earthlink.net

 

[metalmacguyver]

Start by taking a look at the truck. There is absolutely a way to fix it. You need to know where the looseness is first though.

Check your ball joints, Tierod ends/steering linkage, steering shaft(between steering wheel and steering box) and your wheel bearings.

Also look at the steering box. Try moving the wheel back and forth and see if there is slop where the input shaft moves but the output doesnt.

Every part is replaceable. However it may come down to whether its worth fixing up.

 

[Ranger44]

Exactly!

Just have someone move the steering wheel while you look where the slop is.

It can be anywhere from the steering wheel, the gear box, the linkage, all the way down to ball joints.

 

[MAKG]

It can be anywhere from the steering wheel, the gear box, the linkage, all the way down to ball joints.

Don't forget wheel bearings!

Even really bad alignment can feel like slop.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Don't forget wheel bearings!

Even really bad alignment can feel like slop.

I said wheel bearings.....

 

[Ranger44]

Yeah, wheel bearings too, lol

 

[rockin86ranger]

i know my 86 had who lot of slop in the steering and it was tie rod ends they where to replace. but for some reason one side cost more than the other.