My steering column is lifting up

FORD76460

MEMBER
1976 FORD F-250
53,000 MILES

I have a 1976 ford f250 ranger automatic 460, the power steering went out, but now i'm having bigger issues. The steering wheel is very stiff and while driving when I turn the whole colum lifts up, and the truck will shift into netrual, and when I straight the steering wheel is very stiff, not only because of the lack of power steering, but now its getting worse. The steering wheel is now upside down (to go straight) while in reverse if I move the steering wheel slightly to the right if shifts into netrual, if I move it to the left it shifts back into reverse. While driving when I make a right turn the steering wheel locks up and shifts back into netural. The whole steering colum looks like it has been raised up inside of the cab, flush with the bottom of the dash board. Under the hood, looking at the steering, I can see that there is some metal that looks disconnected and mangled. What is the possibillities of the repairs?

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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 1:52 PM

18 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

You have a serious problem with the steering system and/or linkages and DO NOT drive the vehicle. You can lose control of the steering completely anytime.

I am not syre what you are refering to but seems and muy guess is that one of the universal joints has gone off.

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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 2:17 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

IF YOU ARE A "GOOD DIYer" TIS MAY HELP GUIDE YOU

MIGHT HAVE TO REWORD MY SEARCH FOR OTHER RESULTS---LOOK AT THE SUGGESTIONS DOWN THE SIDE ALSO

AS FAR AS INSURING THE VIDEOS AND "YOU" ARE ULTIMATELY CORRECT---I'D TRUST A REPAIR MANUAL, MORE THAN WORD OF MOUTH (THEY HAVE BEEN PROOFREAD, AND USUALLY DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING OUT)

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2007-ford-taurus-tune-up

KEEP US INFORMED ON HOW ITS GOING

DON'T JUST "WING IT"---THIS IS YOUR STEERING!...IT'S KINDA IMPORTANT!.....SEEK HELP FROM SOMEONE COMPETENT IN THIS, IF YOU ARE UNSURE

THE MEDIC

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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 8:36 PM

FORD76460

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14 POSTS

THANKS GUYS! I have looked at the issue in a bit more detail. The steering shaft (under the hood) I found a peice of metal (a connector of some kind) that had been bent and twisted. Without that connection the steering wheel has alot of play in it, and when turned too much the peices are not rotating properly, and causing tension until its forced over back into place. I'll try to upload some pictures. Now my question has turned to, has anyone fixed this issue before? And what would a fair estimate from a mechanic be?

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 3:21 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

LOOKS LIKE MAYBE YOU HAVE DAMAGED AN "EAR"

IF THIS IS DOWN NEAR THE STEERING GEAR---I'D SAY YOU NEED A STEERING COUPLER----FROM THE LOOKS OF IT THE REINFORCED RUBBER IS GONE

THIS IS SORTA A "U"-JOINT KINDA THING MADE OF RUBBER

YES, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHEN THE RUBBER GETS OLD

SEE THIS LINK---THIS IS MOST LIKELY YOUR FIX----A GOOD WELDING SHOP MIGHT REPAIR YOUR DAMAGED METAL

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PartSearchCmd?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&pageId=partTypeList&suggestion=&actionSrc=Suggest&searchTerm=steering+coupler&searchedFrom=header

LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS ARE GOING

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 3:39 AM

FORD76460

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14 POSTS

The Medic, After searching online at parts, I found the steering coupler and thought that might be the part I was refering too. Glad to know there are people out there who know what they are talking about. Based on the info I've told you, if that was replaced, could that fix the issue (other than the power steering issue) of the truck shifting gears while turning? Do you know how difficult it is to replace? I'm pretty handy and do all the minor things on my vehicles like tune ups and brakes, and replacing starters and altonators etc. Thanks again guys!

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 3:44 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

THOSE 2 PIECES WILL GO PERPENDICULAR TO ONE ANOTHER (FOR AN "X" THE COUPLER WILL BOLT ON UPPER END 12 AND 6 O'CLOCK----THE LOWER HALF WILL BOLT ON AT 3 AND 9 O'CLOCK

HERE'S ANOTHER LINK---MIGHT HELP YOU UNDERSTAND BETTER

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Miscellaneous-Repair-Parts/Steering-Coupling-Disc/_/N-261w?filterByKeyWord=STEERING&fromString=search

KEEP US INFORMED---IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, LET ME KNOW

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 3:45 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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109,758 POSTS

CJ is right

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 4:03 AM

FORD76460

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14 POSTS

Does anyone know if this is a relatively easy repair? Would I need to disassemble the whole steering shaft/column to repair the coupler, or does it slide on? Is it the broken coupler that could have been causing the truck to shift gears on turns? Again thank you guys!

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 5:01 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

It is straight forward repair. No dis assembly of the column. All done under the hood at the steering box. Be careful and mark how you removed everything and put it together the same way so the wheel is correct when you are done.

Roy

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 11:22 AM

FORD76460

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14 POSTS

Roy, the steering wheel is currently upside down right now, when replacing it if I turn the steering wheel right side up so its correct, well that work? Or well it screw up the allignment? Also, is it necessary to remove the steering wheel to replace the steering coupler?

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 11:56 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

No, do not go inside the truck.
You need to do center point steering to position the wheel correctly or you will have un equal turning radius from left to right.

Roy

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 12:51 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

ROY, I THINK THAT IF HE GETS THE WHEELS PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT SIDE UP----THE COUPLER WILL INDEX IT'S SELF IN PLACE

THIS MIGHT GIVE HIM A GOOD BIT OF STEERING CAPABILITY TO VERY VERY SLOWLY DRIVE IT TO A REALLY NEARBY WELDING SHOP (TO REMOVE IT AGAIN) AND GET THE H. ELL DAMAGED METAL REPAIRED---IF I INTERPRETED THE PIC HE SENT CORRECTLY

WHATCHU THINK ROY?

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 1:47 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

GET THAT ALL FIXED AND YOUR POWER STEERING MIGHT NOT BE AN ISSUE

AS FOR THE TRANNY SHIFTING---I DON'T THINK IT'S RELATED TO THE STEERING--MIGHT GET A MANUAL AND GET CAUGHT UP ON YOUR NEGLECTED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. LIKE MAYBE A TRANNY FILTER AND FLUID CHANGE. ALL EXPLAINED IN A MANUAL. THAT ALONE "COULD" BE YOUR FIX.

KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 1:54 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

The trans issue could be related if the movement of the shaft is affecting the shift cable so the problem could be solved if the steering is fixed.

While installing the joint, just hold the steering wheel in the correct position before you install the joints, which are splined. Most likely after installation, you might need to remove the steering wheel to recenter it.

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 2:18 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

THIS IS THE ROUND REINFORCED RUBBER W/ 4 HOLES COUPLER---I DON'T SEE THE SPLINES BEING AN ISSUE?

I LOOKED IN YOU TUBE FOR A VIDEO--WITH NO LUCK

DID YOU SEE MY LINKS KHLow2008, TO THE PARTS?

THINK I'M WRONG ON THIS ONE?

I AIN'T PERFECT LIKE THE OLE WRENCH FELLER

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 2:56 PM

KHLOW2008

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The part at the bottom is splined, where it is attached to the steering gear box. I was thinking of removal for easier replacement of the rubber coupler.

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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 9:14 PM

FORD76460

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14 POSTS

Hey guys,
so I took a closer look into the steering coupler (rag joint) it was completly shot (the main issue) I was able to find a new one on 1aautoparts. Com for about 54 bucks after shipping. After that I will be looking into the power steering pump and hoses to see what needs to be replaced next. Hopefully the new rag joint will solve most of the issues im having with it shifting into neutral while turning, since it wont be so rough to turn the wheel and the coupler wont be grinding against everything else.
Any advice or tips on reinstalling the rag joint/coupler that the manual doesn't cover?
Thanks guys for all of your help.

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Thursday, May 10th, 2012 AT 12:47 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
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ME, BEING A DIYer TOO----AND ONLY HAVING DEALT WITH REPAIRING THIS ISSUE ONLY A FEW TIMES (LIKE 4 REPLACEMENTS I HAVE DONE MYSELF ON FORDS) I HAD TOTALLY FORGOTTEN IT WAS "SLANGED" A "RAG JOINT"

THE OLE CJs DON'T WORK LIKE THAT, BUT THEY DO HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS WITH FACTORY STEERING SHAFTS AND SUCH. THE FORDS ARE PROBABLY EZer TO REPAIR, BUT ALSO PROBABLY DETERIORATE FASTER AND "MORE SUDDENLY" BECOME DANGEROUS IF NOT ADDRESSED QUICKLY

THE ONES I REPLACED, I OBTAINED AT THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE FOR LESS THAN $20, AND WERE FOUND IN THE "HELP" SECTION OR AISLE IN THE STORE---I DO REMEMBER THERE ARE DIFFERENT STYLES OF THE COUPLER, DEPENDING ON APPLICATION.

I ALSO HAD THE ADVANTAGE THAT THE ISSUE WAS CAUGHT BEFORE IT WAS TOO BAD OFF, AND I HAD MOST OF WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE OLD ONES TO COMPARE TO

I FEEL SURE IT COULD BE RESEARCHED AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE AS TO WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU

KEEP US POSTED ON PROGRESS

THE MEDIC

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Thursday, May 10th, 2012 AT 1:33 PM