Ford F250 Wandering Steering Issues Diagnosis and Blue Top Steering Gearbox Replacement

Рет қаралды 14,895

Күн бұрын

This video shows the steps I took to diagnose steering problems on my 2000 F-250 4x4 (Same Process for many other years) and tips on changing out the steering gearbox. I read good reviews on the Blue Top brand gear box and so I bought one and replaced mine. The steering feels really good now.
Here is a link to the Steering Wheel Adjustment Process: • 2000 Ford F-250 Steeri...
Pitman Arm Info below: To determine if you have 36 or 32 Spline Gear Box
36 Spline Part Numbers
YC35-3590-AB
4C34-3590-DA
4C34-3590-CA
YC35-3590-CB
YC35-3590-DB
F2UA-3590-DC
YC35-3590-AA
YC3Z-3590-CA
YC3Z-3590-DA
FYC34-3590-DA
32 Spline Part Numbers
F81A-3590-LC
YC35-3590-CA
E2TA-3590-GA
E4UA-3590-AA
E2TA-3590-AB
F2UA-3590-AB
F81A-3590-BA
F81Z3590-LB
E7TA-3590-DA
Torque for Turbo Intake Tube Clamps = 71 inch lbs or 6 ft lbs
Torque for Gear Box mounting bolts = 50 - 67 ft lbs
Torque for Pitman Arm nut = 175 - 235 ft lbs
Time Codes
0:00 Intro
0:30 Test Drive
1:35 Diagnosis
4:08 Unbox new Blue Top Steering Gear
6:10 36 Spline vs 32 Spline
8:10 Steering shaft knuckle and power steering lines
9:08 Pitman Arm and Steering Link
10:14 Steering shaft knuckle
10:38 Power steering lines removal
11:30 Steering Gear bolts
12:30 Pitman Arm removal and swap to new box
16:04 Flush Pump, Hydraboost Brake and Lines
18:25 Pump Brakes to flush Hydraboost
19:15 Install new Blue Top Steering Gear
20:42 Oring selection for power steering lines
24:30 Top off Pump and purge air from system
28:07 Running engine to pump brakes to fill Hydraboost system
30:45 Test Drive

Пікірлер: 39

@jakeledg 10 ай бұрын

My 350 does the same thing. I’ve been threatening to replace the gearbox forever. Now I have a great tutorial! Thanks!!

@Roybwatchin 7 ай бұрын

No problem 👍

@MissingLinkMTB 3 ай бұрын

That's nice. Dad gets to help you out still. I'm diving into mine. I got all the symptoms. Aligned it to make sure. Toe was out just a bit, but I got it centered spot on now. Just gonna have to throw down the money and do the box. I chose BBB Industries though for just a regular reman box. I was between that and the Blue Top like you chose.

@KimberleyBeattie Жыл бұрын

What a great video, I have a 1997 F350 7.3 crew cab 4x4 long box that has the wandering issue. I have adjusted the steering box lock nut and screw about 3/4 of a turn and it is better. This may be my next project( thank you from Canada). I also have inherited my fathers tools who was a mechanic for 65 years( heavy duty diesel and auto). I am not a mechanic but he taught me lots. My dads saying was "Any mechanic can fix something, but it takes a good mechanic to first tell you what's wrong". Thanks again

@Roybwatchin Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and subscribing, I'm glad this video will be helpful for you. I use KZfaq videos all the time when I'm working on my vehicles and I decided to make some of my own hoping they can help others. I was just in Quebec last week for vacation. My wife and I really enjoyed our trip (9 days) we loved the friendly Canadians and beautiful hills, trees, lakes, etc. We spent some time in Montreal, Quebec City, and Knowlton. We plan to go back again during the Fall in about three or four years. My dad had a saying that I have used pretty much my whole adult life and have said it countless times to my two boys and now my grandchildren: "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right"

@joshzimmerman1901 Жыл бұрын

Wow, what a great in depth video! I am about to dig into this issue on my excursion and I seem to be dealing with the exact symptoms you had. This is sure helpful.

@Roybwatchin Жыл бұрын

I've added the Steering Wheel Adjustment process in the video description above. Hope this helps those who need to re-center their steering wheels after installing a new gear box.

@ronaldwhite9954 Жыл бұрын

I've got the wandering, sort of dead spot on a 1995 F-250. I tightened the adjustment screw on the gearbox about 1/2 to 3/4 turn and it's helped a bunch, but feel this is sort of a band aid fix. Blue top is in my near future.

@Mike-wd7wy 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much this is a great video.

@Roybwatchin 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching, hopefully it will help you with yours.

@KimberleyBeattie Жыл бұрын

Hi Kim again i forgot to say i subscribed

@louisfortin7824 8 ай бұрын

cool vjdeo and useful of info.You are good with that!Thank you.

@Roybwatchin 7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@illduitmyself 11 ай бұрын

Too cute baby girl. Consider sum antiseize stuff on all bolts goin back. Iowa rust is unforgiving

@bigj200016 10 ай бұрын

Having a very similar situation with my 07. Hit bumps and she wants to dance. Seems like a lot of play in the wheel as well. Front end components all good

@johnnymontgomery4510 7 ай бұрын

Good video and everyone has their opinions but I had a Redhead steering box installed on my 2004 F350 Superduty after the sector shaft on the stock box twisted in half, yikes! . It steers easier and more positive than it did when the truck was brand new. I honestly don’t know the difference in the remanufacturing between the Bluetop and the Redhead but so far I’m a believer in the Redhead.

@Roybwatchin 7 ай бұрын

Yes, I've heard the Redheads are really good as well. I was looking at them before I found the Blue Top gears. I read a lot of reviews on both of them and I found them both to be good. The only reason I went with the Blue Top was because it was $100 less expensive. I didn't plan on keeping my truck for more than a few years and since the blue top had really good reviews, I figured I'd save the 100 bucks. I will say that if I had a newer truck that I was going to keep for 10 yrs or more, I'd probably have gone with the Redhead. Thanks for watching.

@johnnymontgomery4510 7 ай бұрын

@@Roybwatchin Yep, that all makes sense to me and like you I would opt to save the 100 bucks too if not keeping the truck long term. I however made the decision when I bought my truck new in ‘04 that it could quite possibly be the last truck I ever purchased. I’ve invested the $’s for many upgrades for the 6.0 issues and other things for the long term and the truck is still in excellent condition overall. As I mentioned before I’m very happy with the choice in steering gearbox that I have and I know you are too. Stay safe out there and keep on keepin’ on!

@flynncolson5126 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the great video, were you able to provide the link for the pitman arm spline numbers? Thanks, Butch

@Roybwatchin 4 ай бұрын

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@peterfraumeni5582 2 ай бұрын

Your steering damper is shot, it’s leaking. They go bad, I’m changing mine again now, 2nd time.

@stuartbrock7586 7 ай бұрын

The blue top steering made my steering a bit better but it still wonders

@Roybwatchin 7 ай бұрын

I would check all the items I talk about in the beginning of the video. You really need to put truck on stands with both front wheels off the ground slightly and check all the items. If the upper and lower ball joints are not out of grease and bind when you turn the wheel, or the U joints (assuming it's 4x4) are not bound up, and all the steering tie rod ends, links, etc are good, then you likely need to look at the pump. The pumps on these are weak from the factory and I've read that its hard to find a good replacement. Some guys buy new ones and they are worse than the original. So, if you need a new pump, I've heard Napa has a decent one, but I would stay away from the remanufactured ones. Do some online reviews of several until you find one that you trust. I've even heard of guys that buy a factory one from Ford and have had issues. Luckily, the pump isn't that hard to change, but still a pain. Good luck and thanks for watching!

@stuartbrock7586 7 ай бұрын

@Roybwatchin I had replaced the entire front end earlier in the summer. Upper and lower ball joints universal joints, tie rod ends, track bar, steering link and damper.

@derickchristensen3219 2 ай бұрын

@@stuartbrock7586another thing to check is the leaf spring bushings.

@MrHermangv 2 ай бұрын

That’s how ford left my steering wheel lol I was like why is it sideways, took it back, now a few months later decided to look underneath my truck and check the steering gear box cz I still had play, bruh why the gear box looks just like the old one haha they never replaced it😢

@krusty2461 Жыл бұрын

How did you fix the crooked steering wheel? Mine looks just like yours post replacing steering gear box...So far it seems to have fixed the wandering issue on mine

@Roybwatchin Жыл бұрын

I made another short video of that process but haven't posted it yet. I will try to get the video posted today or tomorrow. I will try to link it to this video.

@Roybwatchin Жыл бұрын

I added the Steering Wheel Adjustment video in the description. Hope this helps

@Semogunner88 Жыл бұрын

How were you able to torque down the pitman arm nut with it installed on the truck? I'm in the middle of doing my steering box right now and I'm not seeing anyway to actually torque the nut down other than putting a big ass wrench on it and giving it hell

@Roybwatchin Жыл бұрын

Good question, lol. So, I found out after I had installed the gear that I couldn't get a socket with torque wrench on there. Luckily, when I installed the pitman arm, I used an impact and snugged it pretty good apparently. I put a wrench on it in the truck with a cheater bar and it didn't move. So, I'm going to run with it and my plan is to check it during oil changes. Next time, I will torque it before installation by using my bench vise to hold the pitman.

@illduitmyself 11 ай бұрын

Jus give it 2 uggadugs.

@Twizztify 8 ай бұрын

Put the pitman arm on the gear box then find a way to position it just right, shoving the pitman arm into the receiver hitch of the truck. Shouldn’t move and you should be able to get a good cheater bar on your ratchet or wrench and reef it down!

@drome010381 27 күн бұрын

I lost like 3 quarts when I took those lines off. Was not expecting thatcmuch to come out. How much came out for you?

@Roybwatchin 25 күн бұрын

I had siphoned out as much as I could from the power steering pump. That's what that small hose was at the start of the video. I had talked about it but due to editing to conserve time, that part kinda got edited out. Sorry! But, I just inserted a small dia rubber hose and then ran it down to a pan on the ground.