loose steering wheel.

[maxsucilla]

so my steering wheel turns half way to the left before the tires start to turn. the steering colum (shaft) turns no problem but the pitman arm doesnt move till the wheel hits the half way point. Im thinking its my steering gear box but no auto parts stores around can seem to get there hands on a rebuilt one. if that is even the problem. has anyone els had this same issue? my truck is a 2006 f250 powerstoke. thanks

[sankeneyii]

I had the same problem with mine. You most likely need a new steering gear box. You can try tightening up with the nut on the box but only turn it a half turn or so cuz it can casue the box to lock up. That is just a quick bandaid until you can get a new box imo.

[maxsucilla]

thants what i was thinking. thanks for the input. any advice on a good place for a good price?

[KYmxracer52]

If I'm not mistaken, Redhead is the place that sells these. Seems that most places sell them for the '04 and older. The 2005 + seem to be harder to locate. I would call Redhead and see what they have.

[nccatfan]

What is an acceptable free-play on the output of the gear box? Noticed a fair amount of slop in mine when I replaced a linkage recently.