steering loose

[srspowerstroke]

I have a 05 f250 6.0 with loose steering been searching the internet for help and can't really find anything like my problem my steering wheel has like 45 degrees of play when turning right but turning left its pretty tight. I've replaced drag link and was told by shop ball joints where good, I tried adjusting gear box a little kinda scared of over tightening didn't help much. Any advice or comments would be great. Thanks

[Tuscany]

Tie rod ends are shot.

[Karls03]

What method did you use to adjust the steering box? I back off the jam nut, run the set "screw" in then back it off, hold it with an Allen and tighten the jam nut.

Put the front axle on jacks, grab the tire at 3 and 9 and try to move the tire. Any movement here usually points to tie rod ends or the links on the drag link. A second person to watch the linkage move would help.

[GregsSD]

I have always found the best way to check the steering system for excessive play is to have someone move the steering wheel back and forth slowly while I look close at each joint.

It is pretty easy to see which joint has the most play in it!