Fixing 91 loose steering

[rendyx]

Today I tried tightening the pinch bolt under the steering column boot, and achieved mixed results. It does seem to be the problem with my loose steering, as when the wheel is turned, it fails to turn the shaft past the bolt. I jammed a socket on, began tightening, and it was working - until the socket slipped and rounded the bolt.

My next step may be to weld on a square nut to the bolt, and either tighten it, or remove it and replace. Does anyone know if that bolt can be removed without the entire steering shaft falling apart? And does anyone else have another idea to solve this?

Another note: Any tricks to get the wheel lines up exactly right when I tighten it? This time around, there is quite a bit of slop when the wheel is turned to the left, but none when turned to the right (starting from straight steering wheel). I'd like to get the steering wheel straight if possible. Thanks!

<small>[ May 07, 2003, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: rendyx ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Go to Sears and buy a Craftsman "Bolt-Out" set. $19.99 (edit: DOH!) unless you're a Craftsman Club member, then it's 10% off starting tomorrow through the 16th.

Make sure you get the correct size. There are two different kits. One has a plastic case and 5 Bolt-Outs, the second set has the other five units. If you know what size the socket was that rounded your bolt, get the set that has that size Bolt-Out.

Next time, buy only 6-point sockets and leave the 12-pointers to rust.

Steve

<small>[ May 08, 2003, 08:04 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[rendyx]

Damn that's costly! 19.99 you mean? (I looked at sears.com) Sounds useful though. I will take a look, and see about it. Thanks much again Steve!

 

[DHMag]

the steering shaft inside the car is telescoping. this is what the pinch knuckle is mounted to. the rack and pinion assembly is bolted to the subframe. removing that bolt wont make everything fall apart. get the bolt out, pull up (towards the steering wheel) on the knuckle, and itll seperate from the rack shaft.

hope this helps

 

[SHODWN]

or replace the unit from a 95, it has a different and updated joint

 

[DOHC91]

how loose was the stering , like you could turn it with your pinck loose ? mine is like that , havent tried the pinch bolt yet , is it loose at all times / speeds? mine is really loose 91 also

 

[rendyx]

DOHC91:
how loose was the stering , like you could turn it with your pinck loose ? mine is like that , havent tried the pinch bolt yet , is it loose at all times / speeds? mine is really loose 91 also

If it's loose at all speeds, go after the tie rod ends. They are known to cause that sort of loose feeling when worn out. If you still have the stock Ford ones, they were not greasable, and thus wear out more quickly.

 

[rendyx]

Well, I was able to back the bolt out, but couldn't find a replacement. Confident in my ability to remove it, I put it back in. I found that turning the wheel a bit also helped in getting a good grip on the bolt, so I was able to tighten it some. It helped a little, but not all the way. I'm going to snug it up some more soon.

One note, it only seems to produce this looseness when I am moving down the road, and not elsewhere. This makes me suspect other components too. Any thoughts?

 

[Dave Phillips]

Hope you don't mind my ***** backing on your post, but I just bought a 91 today and I also have a problem in the steering when turning left only. It resists my turning to the point of clunking and binding. I crawled underneath- doesn't appear to be TRE or rack. I think it may be the u-joint in the steering colum (intermediate shaft) on the engine side of the firewall, just judging from the way the steering shaft jumps/clunks where the boot is. Haven't started pulling apart yet, is this a tough fix? Does it sound like I have the right idea on the prob?