What is this thing called? (Power Steering Question)

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Jeff S, Apr 6, 2009.

  1. Jeff S

    Jeff S Member

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    I have a lot of play in the steering wheel, and I went to search to where the problem was and found this...

    You have the steering column that goes down into the steering box, then you have the pitman arm that comes off of that and goes into another box at the end of it, theres Im assuming a bushing in that 2nd box that has gone bad, because thats where the play is coming from...it has 2 power steering hoses coming from it and its located right behind the driver side wheel, it actually sticks out from the wheel well and can be seen from the outside if the wheel is turned all the way to the right.

    The car has power steering, and Ive taken it to 3 shops and none of the mechanics has ever seen that.

    If anyone has any good spares laying around Ill be willing to buy.
     
    Jeff S, Apr 6, 2009
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  2. Bryant

    Bryant forgot more than learned

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    that is the controle valvl for power stearing. now when the motor is off there will be excesive slop in it. when you turn on the motor the system pressurizes and that slop get reduced signifacantly.
     
    Bryant, Apr 6, 2009
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  3. sierra grabber

    sierra grabber Certifiable

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    also by the way, go to a different shop because any old ford mechanic has seen that.
     
    sierra grabber, Apr 6, 2009
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  4. Jeff S

    Jeff S Member

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    theres a lot of slack in it when driving also, I have to turn the wheel about 1/6th of a turn before it starts responding...is that normal?
     
    Jeff S, Apr 6, 2009
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  5. Thack

    Thack vision advicator

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    Thack, Apr 6, 2009
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  6. sierra grabber

    sierra grabber Certifiable

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    that sounds more like the gear box has slack.
     
    sierra grabber, Apr 6, 2009
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  7. blugene

    blugene Senior member Supporting Member

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    That's what i'm thinking...
     
    blugene, Apr 6, 2009
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  8. darren

    darren Member

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    My guess is they just no better than to work on it. I use that excuse when I can get away with it. :rofl:

    Seriously, if you brought it into our shop myself and one other old guy would know what we are looking at. Thats ancient technology and not many guys out there have worked on that system. It was a pain in the ass back then. I say get rid of it and go manual.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2009
    darren, Apr 6, 2009
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  9. Jeff S

    Jeff S Member

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    I had someone turn the wheel while the car was both running and off and the pitman arm has immediate response to the slightest turn, its when it gets to that second box that theres slack, you can see the pitman arm going left and right about 1/4-1/2 inch on either side before any resistance is encountered.
     
    Jeff S, Apr 7, 2009
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  10. Jeff S

    Jeff S Member

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    Im seriously thinking about converting it to manual...the less stuff I have the less stuff that can break...how do I do it the RIGHT way....people keeps telling me different things....
     
    Jeff S, Apr 7, 2009
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  11. phree_man

    phree_man Member

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    so if it is gearbox slack, how do I fix it because I think that's what I have going on. and it sure would be nice to be able to fix it.
     
    phree_man, Apr 7, 2009
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  12. sierra grabber

    sierra grabber Certifiable

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    search the forum for adding a grease fitting to the gearbox. following the steps should adjust out the slack, lube it and give you a place to lube it from later. it works great.
     
    sierra grabber, Apr 7, 2009
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