Steering wheel ?

[geoph1986]

I have a quick question about the steering wheel on my X, but first a little history. About 2 months ago I replaced the steering box with a junkyard unit, that had the pitman arm still attached. Once I had completed the swap, my steering wheel sits like it's turned 90 degrees. At first it was fine, but now the look is really bugging me. Is there an easy way make the steering wheel sit straight or do I have to pull the pitman arm to do this? I would very much like to just pull off the steering wheel and put it on straight, but as I understand it, the wheel has flat spots with the splines so it only goes on in one position. Does anyone know of another Ford wheel that is splines all around that I could put on in any position? I don't care if the new wheel has the buttons for cruise or anything else. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[Mettler]

I had the same problem when I converted my 90 Ranger to power steering. the fix is you have to take the steering shaft apart under the hood. You say you replaced the steering box. Did you have someone in the truck holding the wheel straight while you reinstalled the box? And the front wheels were straight? The problem is a couple of teeth off on the shaft-to-box or up a little further at the u-joint were the shaft slips on to itself right at the firewall.
The other option is to pull the steering wheel off and align it that way. Thats what they did for mine when I took it to Schwabs. Bugged me tho cause it changed the dis-engagement points for the self cancling blinker switch.
Good luck

 

[geoph1986]

Hey Mettler,
When I replaced the box, the wheels were straight, and the steering wheel was straight. However, once the new box was bolted in, the steering shaft would only go on one way because of a flat spot on both the steering box shaft and the steering shaft. The used steering box I acquired had the pitman arm still attached. I bolted the box to the frame, then bolted the drag link to the pitman arm, then connected the steering shaft to the steering box. The only way I could get the steering shaft on the box was to turn it 90 degrees. Where would I pull the steering shaft apart to get it aligned properly? The rag joint?

 

[Mettler]

Rag joint? Ive been playin with cars for a long time and Ive never heard it called a rag joint.
I like it.
Yes, if by rag joint you mean the u-joint, then yes. I belive it was the only spot on the whole shaft that didnt have the flat spot in the splines. At least on my Ranger it was. Moving the pitman arm is a b!t<h.

 

[geoph1986]

Thanks, I'll have to look into it.

Moving the pitman arm is a b!t<h.

That's why I left it on the donor box.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Was it a same generation Ex donor vehicle?

 

[geoph1986]

Was it a same generation Ex donor vehicle?

It was the same everything. Year, color, options, etc. Why, what are you thinking it could be?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I was just wondering if the generational switch from radius arms, etc. to torsion bars had something to do with the engineering & construction of the arm and box... Nothing specific, just thinking aloud...

 

[geoph1986]

I got ya. I just had surgery last week to repair my broken foot, so I won't be fixing this tomorrow. When I am able, I'll look at the steering shaft and see if I can turn it 90 degrees. Thanks guys.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Ouch! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[geoph1986]

Yea, I should be back to normalish in about 6-8 more weeks. I'll probably need a cane for a while afterward, but at least I'll be able to get back on track with a few things. Thanks for the help guys.

Also, if someone is needing to replace the steering box on their 1991-1994 Explorer, Hollander Interchange lists these donor vehicles as having the same steering box (although it's the same box, the pitman arm may differ):

BRONCO 80-96 Power Steering
BRONCO II 84-90 Power Steering
EXPLORER 91-94 Power Steering
FORD F100 PICKUP 80-83 Power Steering
FORD F150 PICKUP 80-96 Power Steering
FORD F250 PICKUP 80-96 Power Steering
FORD F250 PICKUP 97 Power Steering; over 8500 GVW, 2 bolt cover & flare hose fittings
FORD F350 PICKUP 80-96 Power Steering
FORD F350 PICKUP 97 Power Steering; 2 bolt cover & flare hose fittings
FORD F450 PICKUP 88-96 Power Steering
FORD F450 PICKUP 97 Power Steering; 2 bolt cover & flare hose fittings
FORD VAN 82 Power Steering; from 3/82
FORD VAN 83-91 Power Steering
FORD VAN 92 Power Steering; (E150 thru E350), exc. tag SPA-ER and FG
FORD VAN 93 Power Steering; E150 and E250
FORD VAN 94 Power Steering; thru 4/94, E150 and E250
MAZDA B-2300 94-97 Power Steering
MAZDA B-3000 94-97 Power Steering
MAZDA B-4000 94-97 Power Steering
MAZDA NAVAJO 91-94 Power Steering
RANGER 83-97 Power Steering