Steering - Unequal Left and Right Turn Angles
88ford15
^ STEERING - UNEQUAL LEFT AND RIGHT TURN ANGLES - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/22/88
^ STEERING - OFF CENTER STEERING GEAR AND WIDE CENTER FEEL - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/22/88
Article No. 88-14-14
LIGHT TRUCK: 1975-88 E SERIES
ISSUE: Unequal left hand and right hand turn angles, wide center steering wheel feel and a variance in steering wheel rotation from the straight-ahead position to full right turn versus the straight-ahead position to full left turn may be caused by tolerance stack-ups and only one (1) adjusting sleeve for toe-in setting which allows the steering maximum travel to be regulated by steering gear travel rather than the axle spindle steering stops.
ACTION: To correct this, install a new design drag link with an adjusting sleeve. Refer to the following service procedure. Refer to the steering drag link application chart on page 32 of this TSB for the correct service parts.
FIGURE 12:
1. Remove cotter pin and nut from both drag link ball studs and the tie rod stud at the drag link. Refer to Figure 12.
2. Remove the tie rod ball stud from the drag link using a tie rod end remover.
3. Remove both drag link ball studs from the pitman arm and right hand spindle.
4. Remove the steering wheel from the tapered section of the steering column shaft, Refer to the Light Truck Shop Manual, Volume A, Section 13-06 for detailed service procedures.
5. Place the wheel loosely on the shaft so that it can be easily removed by hand later.
6. Turn the steering wheel to the right stop.
7. Turn the steering wheel to the left stop while counting the number of turns.
8. Turn the wheel to the right one-half of the number of turns counted in Step 7. The steering gear is now centered.
9. Without rotating the steering column, remove the steering wheel from the column and reinstall it so that the clear vision is set at 0 degrees.
NOTE: THE STEERING COLUMN MUST NOT MOVE DURING THIS OPERATION OR THE STEERING GEAR WILL BE OFF CENTER.
10. Repeat Steps 6, 7 and 8 to make sure the steering gear is centered.
11. Tighten steering wheel retaining to the torque specification listed in the Light Truck Shop Manual, Volume A, Section 13-06.
12. Assemble the new drag link, tie rod end and adjusting sleeve.
13. Adjust the length of the drag link assembly so that it is about the same as the length of the old drag link.
14. Install the new drag link. Refer to the Light Truck Shop Manual, Volume A, Section 13-24 for service details.
NOTE: THE WHEELS MUST BE IN THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION AND THE STUDS SEATED IN THE TAPERED HOLE PRIOR TO TIGHTENING THE NUTS SO THAT THE RUBBER BALL SOCKETS WILL NOT BE PRELOADED AND CAUSE A DRIFT CONDITION.
15. Check and adjust toe. Refer to the Light Truck Shop Manual, Volume A, Section 14-01 for front end alignment specifications and procedures.
NOTE: USE THE F SERIES PROCEDURE SINCE THE SYSTEM NOW HAS TWO (2) ADJUSTING SLEEVES.
16. After toe is set, be sure to position the two (2) clamp bolts on the drag link adjusting sleeve BELOW the linkage.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic
OPERATION: 881414A Warranty Coverage
TIME: 1.2 Hrs.
DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 3A131
Condition Code: 37
PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS
E8UZ-3A131-A Socket - Steering Drag B
Link Arm
E8UZ-3A131-B Socket - Steering Drag C
Link Arm
E8UZ-3304-A Socket - Steering Drag B
Link Pitman Arm
E8UZ-3304-B Socket - Steering Drag C
Link Pitman Arm
D2TZ-3281-A Tube - Adjuster AG
E7TZ-3281-A Tube - Adjuster C