70 f350 steering

[jeffh286]

just converted my 1970 f350 to power steering now it doesent turn to the right all the way and seems to go to much to the left checked the position of the pitman arm seams to be positioned where it should be theres only the one tie rod adjuster and don't think that will do anything any ideas would be great thanks

[colnago]

Are the wheels pointing straight forward when the steering wheel is straight? I know you said the pitman arm looks good, but that would be the first thing that I would check.

Joseph

[jeffh286]

Yes both wheels are straight and the pitman arm is pointing forward if I adjust that in either direction it's way off

[Ranchero50]

Should be pretty simple to sort out. Turn the wheel to the left, mark the shaft and housing at the same spot. Turn it back and mark the housing where the shaft points and count the steering wheel turns lock to lock. Should be four total. Set the wheel at 2 turns in and check the shaft and wheels. Shaft mark should be in the middle of the two housing marks and the wheels should point straight ahead.

[jeffh286]

I do have 4 turns total but I have 2&1\2 left and 1&1\2 right but how do you adjust it to the right since the drag link or right Tie rod is not adjustable there's only one adjustment on the left tie rod and the pitman is really not adjustable either since it has the 4 big splines in it along with the small ones so every time you move that it has to move a quarter at a time which is way to much idk I'm stuck

[basketcase0302]

Which pitman arm did you use the manual steering or one that came with the PS box?

[jeffh286]

I used the one that came with the box but it was the same as the old only different size splines

[basketcase0302]

The pitman arm should be right then.
I'm not sure if the geometry of the linkage changed, (it did on the early Bronco's from manual to power steering) or not?
If you can't get a firm answer here maybe go over to the "dark site" and try to message user "partsidiot" (hazlenut here I believe) and see if he can confirm if the parts numbers are different for the tie rods and the drag link.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help as I know even with PS my F-350 was a bear at times to steer.

[jeffh286]

Thanks for trying to help I know its got me doesn't make much sence unless like you said something has changed somewhere

[basketcase0302]

The length of the drag length, (part# 3A130 in this diagram) would change the "lock to lock" from each side if the drag length is shorter or longer between the two versions of manual to power. I'd bet that is what you'll find is the issue as it plagued me once on a 4 X 4 build with the same symptoms.
You can verify it by the following:
1) Center the steering straight ahead as close as possible with the rear wheels for a guide.
2) Unhook the drag link from the steering arm.
3) Center the steering box by going all the way to one side / then counting revolutions of the steering wheel from one side to the other side / split those revolutions and return the steering wheel / box to exact center.

Is the end result that your drag link is not aligning with the pitman arm now without turning / moving something?
If you answered yes you would need to source a PS drag link, (or find someone here who can measure the exact length of the power steering drag link on their F-350) prior to buying a new drag link.
Maybe a few of the DRW guys here with power steering can chime here in on the length of theirs to help.

[jeffh286]

does anyone know the part number or where to get the shorter ps drag link that must be it

[Ranchero50]

does anyone know the part number or where to get the shorter ps drag link that must be it

Working on mine now, C9TA-3590-E It's right at 4.5" from the edge of the spline hole to the edge of the tie rod hole. Looks like 5 3/8" center to center with about a 5/8" drop from the top of the spline to the top of the tie rod end. Looks like the arm is offset @ 5/8" to toward the driver side from the center line of the wide index splines. My box has the index splines parallel with the truck center line with 2 turns in, four total.

Hope this helps.

[Salty Dog]

The pitman arm should be right then.
I'm not sure if the geometry of the linkage changed, (it did on the early Bronco's from manual to power steering) or not?
If you can't get a firm answer here maybe go over to the "dark site" and try to message user "partsidiot" (hazlenut here I believe) and see if he can confirm if the parts numbers are different for the tie rods and the drag link.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help as I know even with PS my F-350 was a bear at times to steer.

Numberdummy is who you'd be looking for on "the dark side" LOL