loopy steering like an in-car sitcom scene

[neo-Redneck]

one of the first and major updates on my truck is the steering, ive looked at the rag-joint coupling and even though it needs replacing its not main reason my steering is so 'not there', is there any way i can adjust the power-steering box externally? last i checked the steering fluid was good and not leaking, but ill look at it tomorrow, or does it require more focused work.

by the way im new so if there is a previous topic on this problem or similar ones that might help can you link me? thanks

also, where can i get a new rag-joint?

[fordman]

there are several places the steering gets its loose feeling in these trucks.
steering column bearings
rag joint
worn steering box gear teeth
loose steering box bolts
worn tie rod and drag link joints
and the most common and famous is the king pins on the spindles.

in checking the steering system there are several steps to narrowing down your problems.
to check column bearings pull the steering column forward and back as you sit in the seat. as well as up and down. the will tell you if they are loose or worn. visual ways to verify this is the gap between the steering wheel and steering column collar. you can also see the lower column bearing from the engine compartment. or it could be just an adjustment to the lower column bearing retainer strap. other signs would be the horn doesnt work even though the parts are all there and new. some times the cab mounts will rust out and the cab will settle down and ride on the steering column shaft. very bad fix that asap. put some wood between the floor and the frame. for a temp fix

in checking the rag joint you can have an assistant turn the wheel back and forth and watch for flex in the rag joint. this will probably just be able to be seen without turning the wheel but not always. on 70 and up there is also a ground strap for the horn to ground. that must be there for the horn to work.

worn steering box. this can be seen by the assistant again turning the steering wheel back and forth while you watch the pitman arm and rag joint turn. if the rag joint and pitman arm dont turn together then it could be worn teeth or out of adjustment. it could also be worn splines on the pitman arm connection. the box adjustment is to screw in or out the adjusting bolt a little at a time until the slop comes out of the box. or replacement of the bad pitman arm splines.

loose steering box bolts can be seen by the steering box moving while the steering wheel is being turned. retighten bolts if needed.

worn steering linkage can be seen by shaking the steering linkage and or by the turning back and forth of the steering wheel.

To check the king pins you jack up the truck. so both front tires are off the ground. then you grab the tire and shake the top and bottom in an out. this may or may not show slack in the king pins. depending on how worn the king pins are. if they are worn they can be replaced.

other casues could be worn wheel bearing. which can be checked the same way the king pins are checked.
these can be adjusted to a point or replaced.

one other thing could be just bad or worn tires. these can usually be seen by a visual inspection or by feeling around with your hand around the tire tread to feel for lumps in the tire. a bad tire will some times give the truck a shake when you drive down the road.

[fordman]

www.fordification.com/links.htm

[neo-Redneck]

i finally looked at the steering problem and i noticed even with the worn rag-joint the steering box seems ok and the cab isnt riding on the shaft (thank god) it appears i just have powersteering leak somewhere, and now i am getting greasy oily stuff on my new apple laptop (haha been a long time).

ive also noticed this odd hissing/squealing sound when i turn the steering wheel and listen to the engine compartment, is this just a fluid thing or should i be more worried.

[fordman]

the squeal may be a loose belt.

[1968Ranger]

Stupid Question, What is the "official name" of a rag joint? several post have mentioned it in an effort to sure up sloppy steering. Thanks

[fordman]

steering coupler i think

[Alvin in AZ]

Flex coupling or "flexible coupling" is what Ford uses in the service manuals.
I've only read "rag joint" on the internet never -heard- anyone call it that.

Alvin in AZ