1979 Ford F150 4x4 steering

[75K30]

Originally Posted by ErwinRommel

Had my brother's woman move the steering wheel up and down while I looked at the shaft. It moved a little bit but it could just be cause of the loose bolt but the top shaft moved a little though.

The steering wheel, you can basically move in a whole circle.

OK, if it rotates without turning the wheels, then you have the BIL's woman turn the wheel while you watch the entire steering system. Again start from that funny looking bolt, the one that does not fit, and make sure that the splined shaft that fits inside of the u-joint turns exactly the same amount that the steering shaft through the column does.
If it does, move to the next section which would be the rag joint.
Once this is verified, them move to the steering box. YOu then move the wheel, which will turn the u-joint, which turns the steering shaft, which is connected to the steering box, via a rag joint.
Alright, once you are turning everything correctly you can then look at the pitma arm. Once the steering wheel is being turned, make sure that the pitman arm turns with it, and turns with no slop. This means that when input to the box is applied the pitman arm should move without any play, or difference in movement.
If the box is loose, then it needs to be adjusted. if it turns, well, and right with the same amount of input being applied, then move to the drag link and check for anything that does not move when something that it is connected to does.
This is a whole knee bone is connected to the leg bone thing, and you have to start at one end, so you can rule out some of the possibilities, and move to the other end without skipping around. Once you have everything working well, then you will have a nice tight steering system.

[scooter18155]

75k30 is giving you some good advice. if your steering is as bad as it sounds it shouldnt be too hard to find the problem. I had a 79 ford once i sometimes wish i kept it. another thing id suggest is if you have a buddy or relative that is at least handy with auto/mechanic work have them help you. Even if you are a excelent mechanic yourself sometimes that extra person might see something your either not looking for or just not noticing. you find different people have different experiences and different point of view on things or they look at things from a different angle from yourself and sometimes that is a big help. i cant tell you how many times i have had issues with something and i look for it and dont see something but a buddy of mine spots it.