F 250 2WD Pickup V8-6.9L DSL (1985)
Tie Rod End: All Technical Service Bulletins
Steering - Vehicle Drifting/Pulling
Article No. 86-6-22
STEERING - DRIFT/PULL - RUBBER BALL SOCKET LINKAGE WIND-UP
LIGHT TRUCK 1985-86 E, F SERIES, BRONCO
Complaints of drifts and pulls on certain 1985-86 E, F Series and Bronco models may be caused by the installation procedure of the steering linkage.
BECAUSE THE RUBBER TENDS TO RETURN TO ITS INSTALLED POSITION, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE INSTALLATION BE
ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE FRONT WHEELS AND THE PITMAN ARM IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION, AND THE STUD SEATED
IN THE TAPERED HOLE PRIOR TO TIGHTENING THE NUTS. Care should be taken with the installation to prevent a drift condition.
To diagnose if a preload in the rubber is causing the drift, the following procedure is recommended:
1.
Loosen the studs in the tapered holes at the pitman arm and the left and right spindles (i.e., disengage the stud from the hole so that it is no longer
seated).
2.
Hand install the nuts so that the stud is free to turn inside the tapered hole.
3.
INSTALL COTTER PINS IN ALL THE STUDS.
4.
Drive the vehicle. If it no longer drifts, then it can be assumed that the rubber was causing the drift. If it continues to drift, the condition is NOT
being caused by the rubber ball sockets.
5.
In either case, do not replace the steering linkage.
Reinstall the linkage as follows:
F Series and Bronco
1.
Ensure the pitman arm and wheels are in the straight ahead position. (The pitman arm is exactly straight ahead when the clear vision is at 0~.)
2.
Lock the steering wheel straight ahead and loose assemble the steering linkage to the pitman arm and then to the spindles.
3.
Being careful not to change the position of the pitman arm, torque the steering linkage nuts to 65 ft.lbs. (88.1 N-m) The recommended sequence
for tightening is: 1) the pitman arm, 2) the right side spindle and 3) the left side spindle.
4.
Install all the cotter pins by advancing the nut to the next castellation.
5.
Adjust the toe-in if necessary.
Econoline
1.
Ensure that the wheels are in the straight ahead position.
2.
Loose assemble the steering linkage to the spindles and the pitman arm.
3.
Being careful not to move the wheels from the straight ahead position, torque the steering linkage nuts to 65 ft.lbs. The recommended tightening
sequence is: 1) the right side spindle, 2) the pitman arm and 3) the left side spindle.
4.
Install all the cotter pins by advancing the nut to the next castellation.
5.
Adjust the toe-in and reset the clear vision if necessary.
The above procedure will eliminate any of the drift being caused by the rubber ball sockets. If the vehicle still drifts, refer to Section 19 of the Light
Truck Shop Manual for further diagnosis.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Reimbursable within the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual.
OPERATION: SP3008A86A - F Series and Bronco
TIME:
1.4 Hrs.
OPERATION: SP3008A86B - Econoline
TIME:
1.5 Hrs. DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 3304 - Code: 36
