1968 FWD Steering Confusion

Suspension, steering, brakes, wheels & tires

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Idaho68
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1968 FWD Steering Confusion

Post by Idaho68 »

Looking for some help here.
Truck is 1968 F100 4X4 - purchased in November last year.
steering was horrible as it was wondering all over the hwy at speed
it does have power steering.

replaced through LMC the Center Link form the 66-72 catalog
replaced through Local Shop the outer tie rod and drag link to fit 68

Steering is 50% better but still wonders, Mechanic states that the tie rod ends are not correct size for the axle. They feel the axle is not original but could not tell me what year.
All ends are a fractionally too small and are causing the play.

The drag/center link I took off the truck was Garrison type. The replacements are not. (original owner welded rebar)

Lookng at LMC catalog, now supposing the front axle is from 73 plus truck, the long driver side inner drag link with the hole shows that accepts the drag/center link is on the wrong end.

Anyway, Is there a way to determine the correct year of the front axle to determine the correct steering parts?
LMC doesnt offer a non garrison type system with power steering on the 73-75
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fc/full.aspx?Page=49

To top it off the old and the replacement 66-72 drops center link drops down into the pitman arm (again the illustration in LMC is incorrect), and I can not get the retaining bolt to seat far enough on the Pitman arm to insert the cotter pin. Due to the Pitman arm not fitting correctly on the PS splines. This is just generally confusing but up or down I dont care as long as it fits correctly. :?

So mutliple issues.. or one big one with all wrong parts for the year axle. Thoughts?? :pray:
AZf100
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Re: 1968 FWD Steering Confusion

Post by AZf100 »

"I ain't as good as I once was But I'm as good once as I ever was"
http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r73 ... 6e738a.jpg
1971 F100 SWB 302 2WD (Work In Progress)
2010 F250 4X4 6.4 Power Stroke / lariat Black
fordman
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Re: 1968 FWD Steering Confusion

Post by fordman »

All axles should have a axle tag on the center chunk bolts. If it doesnt look through the pages above.
Special_Nick
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Re: 1968 FWD Steering Confusion

Post by Special_Nick »

Idaho68 wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:49 am Looking for some help here.
Truck is 1968 F100 4X4 - purchased in November last year.
steering was horrible as it was wondering all over the hwy at speed
it does have power steering.

replaced through LMC the Center Link form the 66-72 catalog
replaced through Local Shop the outer tie rod and drag link to fit 68

Steering is 50% better but still wonders, Mechanic states that the tie rod ends are not correct size for the axle. They feel the axle is not original but could not tell me what year.
All ends are a fractionally too small and are causing the play.

The drag/center link I took off the truck was Garrison type. The replacements are not. (original owner welded rebar)

Lookng at LMC catalog, now supposing the front axle is from 73 plus truck, the long driver side inner drag link with the hole shows that accepts the drag/center link is on the wrong end.

Anyway, Is there a way to determine the correct year of the front axle to determine the correct steering parts?
LMC doesnt offer a non garrison type system with power steering on the 73-75
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fc/full.aspx?Page=49

To top it off the old and the replacement 66-72 drops center link drops down into the pitman arm (again the illustration in LMC is incorrect), and I can not get the retaining bolt to seat far enough on the Pitman arm to insert the cotter pin. Due to the Pitman arm not fitting correctly on the PS splines. This is just generally confusing but up or down I dont care as long as it fits correctly. :?

So mutliple issues.. or one big one with all wrong parts for the year axle. Thoughts?? :pray:
Did you ever get this fixed? I just purchased a 71 F100 4x4 and I'm in the same boat...cant find correct steering parts.
"Special Nick"
1970 F100 Ranger XLT Heavy Duty Special
1971 F100 4x4
2010 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins
69Highboy
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Re: 1968 FWD Steering Confusion

Post by 69Highboy »

What parts are you looking for? Although I'm on vacation I work at Napa so I can try to look up the parts you need when I return to work.
1968 F250: Old Whitey. Almost replaced Old Red. Sold.
1968 F250: The Blur. Replaced by New Red. Sold.
1969 F250 4x4: Old Red. 3rd gen family truck. Retired in favor of New Red.
1970 F250: Big Red. One of my brother's many (sold) trucks.
1971 F250 4x4: Yella or "Big Mustard". My truck.
1992 F250 4x4: New Whitey. Sold in favor of Old Red.
2000 F250 4x4 Diesel: New Red. Project hauler extraordinaire.
2015 F350 4x4 Diesel: The White Truck. Wrecked and rebuilt.
2019 F350 4x4: Diesel: White Lightnin'. Workhorse and luxury combined.
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