I had a Ford van off its front wheels. I expected the steering wheel to be feather light but it feels like the wheels are on the ground. On a Suburban I can steer the road wheels by hand (engine off) with steady pressure. This van is far more difficult to steer with particular heaviness through the straight ahead position. Tie rods are about 3 months old. The ball joints are clean and intact. No grease fittings. What comes to mind is to pop the tie rods to see if the drag is in the knuckles or upstream. It feels only slightly heavy with the engine running. I mean heavy like W123 steering is heavy even with power steering compared to a Cadillac. Thoughts?

Sixto
87 300D

My Ford truck had pitman arm issues. What year is the van?

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'86 300E 5 speed
'71 Triumph TR6
'46 Cushman Scooter
'41 Ford 9N tractor

Sounds like the steering box is way too tight. There's a "high spot" for lack of a better word, in the center of the steering position to ensure that steering is more accurate when you're driving in a straight line.

Probably someone was tired of it wandering and tightened it up.

You need to use two tools simultaneously on the adjustment screw - one on the lock nut and one on the screw. Hold the screw in position and loosen the lock nut. Then, back out the screw a little and hold it in position while re-tightening the lock nut. Spin the wheel back and forth across center a couple times to see if you still feel the thump. If you do, repeat the process until you can't feel it bind when the wheel crosses center.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

It's a '93.

So the Ford box has an adjustment screw like MB boxes?

Sixto
87 300D

That I cannot answer since me E300 has rack unt pinion...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Does the van have hydro boost?

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Sixto,

I happened to stop by the forum today... and saw your questions on the E-150. I have a '96 E-150 conversion van with a 5.8L, it should be pretty similar to the '93. There were a lot of changes in '97 going to the mod motors and new front suspensions about that time. I also have a cd copy of the '96 Ford truck service manual. Be glad to make an "evaluation copy" for you if it would help.

I haven't tried in a while, but it does take some effort to turn the front wheels - even when they are in the air. The old twin I beam suspensions were build by the ton and are not very easy to turn. There is the typical adjustment nut on the steering box. I just had to replace the center link on mine ( goes from steering box to the steering linkages), the joint had some play and was contributing to a lot of wander.

Not sure on the MAP/MAF. If you have a specific question I can go look at mine. The tranny does take a lot of fluid, it has a big pan. It might be 9-12 quarts. again been a little while since I did mine, but seems like I went through most of a case of fluid.

Check out this forum for some help.

1968 - Present Full Size Vans - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums


Chuck

Ha! My truck has hydro boost and heaven help me if I need to brake hard and turn sharp at the same time!

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Hi Chuck,

Did you get rid of the 140? I seem to recall you had it for sale a while back.

Center link? A Willy's MB has a more sophisticated steering system - there's a long link between the pitman arm and right wheel and a shorter link off the long link to the left wheel. Not a symmetrical setup with idler arm like is common on MBs. Everything downstream of the pitman arm was installed new in June.

I've been surfing ford-trucks.com. I'll get deep into a topic then someone will clarify they're talking about a '68 truck

Sixto
87 300D

Hydraulic assist for steering, vacuum assist for brakes. Our Suburban Diesel has hydro boost for steering and brakes. Works fine.

Sixto
87 300D

After having the work done, was it aligned? Also, someone mentioned the adjustment in the steering box...be careful if you start adjusting it. Too tight, and you'll break the worm gear, too loose and you have no steering.

The front suspension on these things are screwy, to say the least. No matter what you do, the wander will always be there.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I'm aware that steering will never be precise. The suspension needs attention. Whenever it goes over a bump there's no telling which way it'll want to go and it takes considerable sawing to find straight ahead again. No record of an alignment after the steering linkage was refreshed. I'm looking into a steering damper because my brother-in-law swears by damper just installed in his '06 E-350. First gotta get the steering so wander is the only issue.

My immediate concern is the heft required to steer the wheels with the wheels off the ground. I think I'll back off the adjuster to see if it helps. I certainly won't tighten it without further consultation. I recall driving MBs with overtightened steering box adjusters and this is about how they felt.

Sixto
87 300D

I think all these twin I beam Econolines wander a bit. I had the ball joints replaced and the toe was off. It was like riding a wild animal, it would dart left and right. Toe was re-adjusted, and it still wandered. That is when I replaced the link that goes from the arm on the steering box to the long rod that connects the 2 tie rod ends ( I'm not up to date on all the suspension part names). That joint would deflect 1/4" before moving the long center rod. It is tough to find someone that really understands the twin I beams. I had it to a Ford Dealer (car side) and another alignment shop. Finally went to an RV place that dealt with van based campers and found someone willing to really look at it. They also recommend D range tires or keeping the pressure up.

My old van has been a champ. 190k+ on it, still pulling boats and a horse trailer. We took it to Ft. Lauderdale with 6 kids in it over Memorial day, willing to cruise all day at 80 mph. The old 5.8's are tough.

I sold the 140 about 5 years ago. It bent a rod, and I was going to swap in an '87 603, but had just got a new job and ran out of time. It was also starting to have electrical problems and the AC needed a recharge ( evaporator?). I've had an Infiniti I-35 since. Put 195K on it and the only issue has been a crack in the radiator. Would love to get back into a diesel since my commute is 150 miles a day, mostly at 75mph on the highway. I just sent an email to a guy selling an '87 190D yesterday, might be a fun toy / commuter.

Good luck with the van you are working on and let me know if you want a copy of that Truck Manual CD.

Chuck

people used to get scared driving my van because you could move the wheel back and forth quite a bit before it would steer another direction. I had trouble driving normal cars for a while after that one.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

A guy on that ford forum found a bracket and shock setup for ambulances that holds the wheels in place until the steering wheel makes it move. Look for a post called "a real solution to the steering issue" or something close. A workaround but it helps. I used to drive an early 70's econoline as an autoparts delivery truck. I swear you could move the steering wheel 60* or more before it would move the wheel. It made it real exciting in snow trying to steer.