Problems With the Steering Gear Box in a 1994 F-350

If your 1994 Ford F-350 truck has power steering, then it has a steering gear box. Although steering problems can occur because of issues with various components, the steering gear box seems to be the component that is usually at fault.

How a Steering Gear Box Works

A steering gear box is composed of a worm gear, which is the large cylinder protruding from the steering box housing, and an input shaft, which is the smaller cylinder. The worm gear, or output shaft, is the component that is connected to the ball joints and steering linkage of your F-350. It deals with all of the steering components underneath the vehicle. The input shaft is connected to the steering components on the inside of the vehicle, such as the steering wheel. When you turn the steering wheel, the steering gear box allows you to control the components underneath the vehicle.

Where is the Steering Gear Box?

The steering gear box on your 1994 Ford F-350 can be located underneath the engine compartment of your truck. To access the steering gear box, you will need to jack up the truck and remove the skid plate. Once this is done, you can remove a few nuts and bolts to remove the steering gear box.

Steering Problems

The most common issue that occurs as a result of a faulty steering gear box is a steering wheel that is harder to turn in a certain direction. If this is occurring with your F-350, you need to replace your steering gear box immediately. There is no servicing or repairing when it comes to the steering gear box. The easiest solution is to simply replace the whole component.

Replacing the Steering Gear Box

To replace your steering gear box, you must first jack up your F-350 with a jack and support it with jack stands. At that point, you can remove the bolts from the skid plate with a socket wrench and then remove the skid plate. The steering gear box is held in place by a single bolt. The two cylindrical components are secured to the lines through two nuts. Remove the nuts and bolt, and remove the steering gear box. At that point, you can install a replacement steering gear box.