Steering: Adjustments

Steering Gear Meshload Adjustment - F250/F350





Special Tool(s)

All vehicles





1. NOTE: The engine should not be running.

Turn the steering wheel from right lock to left lock at least once.
2. Remove the driver air bag.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.





4. Remove the castellated nut.
1 Remove the cotter pin.
2 Remove the castellated nut.





5. Separate the drag link from the pitman arm.
^ Use the Pitman Arm Puller to separate the drag link.

6. NOTE: The front wheel should not touch the ground.

Lower and support the front of the vehicle.
7. Rotate the steering wheel to the left stop and then rotate the steering wheel back approximately 45 degrees.

8. NOTE: The peak preload torque must be within 0.34 - 1.36 Nm (3 - 12 inch lbs.) or a new steering gear must be installed.

Attach an inch pound torque wrench to the steering wheel bolt and slowly and evenly rotate the steering wheel clockwise 1/2 turn (180 degrees).
^ Record the peak preload torque.
9. Rotate the steering wheel to its centered position (approximately 1-1/2 turns from either stop). Place the torque wrench on the steering wheel bolt with the handle in the vertical position. Rotate the torque wrench slowly and evenly 1/4 turn (90 degrees) from each side of center.
^ Record the peak on-center torque.

10. NOTE: The on-center torque must be 0.79 - 1.36 Nm (7 - 12 inch lbs.) greater than preload torque without exceeding a total of 2.15 Nm (19 inch lbs.). The on-center torque minus the preload torque is the meshload torque.

If necessary, carry out the following steps to adjust the on-center torque.

With 6.0L Diesel
11. Remove the auxiliary battery tray.





12. Loosen the clamps and remove the air intake duct.

All vehicles





13. NOTE: Rotate the meshload screw clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to decrease.

Adjust the meshload screw to the correct rotating torque.
1 Hold the meshload screw and loosen the lock nut.
2 Adjust the meshload screw.
14. Verify that the rotating torque is to specification.
^ Read just if necessary.





15. Tighten the lock nut.
1 Hold the meshload screw.
2 Tighten the lock nut.





16. Install the drag link, castellated nut and cotter pin.
17. Install the driver air bag.