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Thread: Steering binding

  1. #1
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    Steering binding

    I notice I have what I would call "notchyness" in my steering. I suppose that would be joints binding due to the severe angles. What have you anything to reduce the angles of the joints?
    20230102_155655.jpg20230102_155641.jpg
    Last edited by Just 1 More; 03-14-2024 at 12:17 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member J R Jones's Avatar
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    You do not say where the notches occur.
    Joint bind would likely happen at extreme angles, not much of an issue. In the center of steering range notches could be the rack, and more problematic for steering quality.
    You could have a partner do steering cycles while you watch and feel components to identify the source. Turn plates under the tire treads may help.
    jim

  3. #3
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    The joints between the power steering and the rack are at the limit of their angles. The farther apart you can get the joints, the better the angle. Make sure the ujoint is not interfering with itself.
    This is a challenging area of the build that I'm still not happy with.
    - Peterh226
    35 Hot Rod Truck (Ext) Delivered 11/21/24
    33 Hot Rod Gen 2 #1134 ~1400 miles
    54 Pontiac Star Chief
    05 F-150

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    Quote Originally Posted by peterh226 View Post
    The joints between the power steering and the rack are at the limit of their angles. The farther apart you can get the joints, the better the angle. Make sure the ujoint is not interfering with itself.
    This is a challenging area of the build that I'm still not happy with.
    I cut almost an inch off the rack and slid the joint up on the shaft which eliminated a lot of that joint angle. I think a lot of my "bind: is coming from the firewall to the power steering motor.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Just 1 More View Post
    I cut almost an inch off the rack and slid the joint up on the shaft which eliminated a lot of that joint angle. I think a lot of my "bind: is coming from the firewall to the power steering motor.
    FFR has a shaft that provides a 90degree phase change for the firewall to power steering section of the shafts. This helps the binding as well...
    - Peterh226
    35 Hot Rod Truck (Ext) Delivered 11/21/24
    33 Hot Rod Gen 2 #1134 ~1400 miles
    54 Pontiac Star Chief
    05 F-150

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  7. #6
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    You should check the depth of the shaft as it extends through the coupling on the joints. The angles are so severe that even a small amount of extension beyond the coupling into the open area of the joint can cause binding. I had problems with mine occur after driving the initial 500 miles as one of the shafts slid down into the joint. Also be careful with the last joint at the rack after the power steering motor. Several have had this loosen over time. Mine actually fell off as I backed it out of my garage. I solved it by through drilling and installing a grade 8 bolt.

  8. #7
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    Peterh226 is correct. There is a new steering shaft between the firewall and PS unit that is a 90 degree off double D shaft. Picture cutting your current shaft in the middle, rotating one end 90 degrees, and welding it back together. F5 sent me that shaft (it was on backorder when my kit was shipped) and that took a lot of my bind out. I had binding at 12:00, 3:00 6:00 and 9:00. I also cut the input of the rack off about that 3/4" and that also removed the last bit of binding I had. I have driven it 1200 miles now and the steering is wonderful-no binding or tightness at all.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by DanQ View Post
    Peterh226 is correct. There is a new steering shaft between the firewall and PS unit that is a 90 degree off double D shaft. Picture cutting your current shaft in the middle, rotating one end 90 degrees, and welding it back together. F5 sent me that shaft (it was on backorder when my kit was shipped) and that took a lot of my bind out. I had binding at 12:00, 3:00 6:00 and 9:00. I also cut the input of the rack off about that 3/4" and that also removed the last bit of binding I had. I have driven it 1200 miles now and the steering is wonderful-no binding or tightness at all.
    I ordered the new 90 degree shaft this morning.

  10. #9

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    Peter226 - Thanks! That's a great tip.
    Cheers!
    Keith HR #894

  11. #10
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    I received the new shaft, had to trim it a little to fit and it made a night & day difference. Feels a lot smoother now.
    PN# 35071 $35.00 with $24.78 shipping
    Screenshot 2024-08-05 094006.jpg

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