Hi all, I removed the gear box without centering the wheel and the new unit comes centered (I believe). How would I go about centering my steering wheel without damaging components, i.e. clockspring etc? I have removed my steering linkage to the pitman arm so I'm not sure I could install aligned properly and it be correct again. Thanks! (ford e350 2002 club wagon 7.3)

 

Disconnect the steering column shaft from the gearbox, center the wheel and reinstall.I wouldn't go messing with anything else.

 

I have disconnected the pinion link from the gearbox to the steering shaft. The manual says damage will occur to the clockspring if I move it. I believe installing my old gearbox to find center is the better solution. Thanks

 

Sometimes you have to do the whole thing when forgetting a critical step.
This is what must be done and if there is another way to do it I haven't found it yet !

You have to disconnect the battery negative terminal.
Remove the steering wheel, and make sure the clockspring has not been damaged yet.
With the u-joint disconnected from the input shaft of the steering box, carefully turn the shaft the steering wheel is attached to,watch the position of the clock spring at both turning directions center the shaft in the closest position of the travel of the clockspring and install the steering wheel and find a way to lock it there so it cannot turn.
Then rotate the input shaft of the steering box to each end of its travel and note the number of turns from one extreme to the other. Divide the number of turns by 2 and turn the input shaft that number of turns back . (if it turned two and one half turns end to end , turn the shaft one and one quarter turns from either extreme and that should place the box at the center point. ) You will also notice a slightly higher turning effort when in the center of its travel . Use that as a confirmation of the correct position of center.
Now you can install the shaft with the u-joint on to the steering box. If done correctly both the clock spring and steering box should be in the center of their travel.
Make sure to align the mark on the sector shaft of the steering box with the mark on the pitman arm, that is IMPORTANT.

 

Wow thank you so much for the write up, I've been struggling to find instructions! What do you mean by aligning the sector shaft mark and the pitman arm? You mean once I find center with gearbox, mark pit man arm orientation?

 

On the sector shaft (comes out the side of the steering gear box) there should be a scribe mark, that scribe mark must line up with the scribe mark on the pitman arm.

 

The remanufactured unit did not come with any markings. It says it's centered from the factory. It's a 32 spline, so it can attach in 1 of 4 points. I will double check center and use my old gearbox for pitman position reference. To recap, I can move the input steering shaft without damaging the clockspring, but I should still double check it's position when I center the steering shaft? Thanks for all your help, I've spent a couple days just trying to figure this stuff out.

 

Your only hope is to have the front wheels as straight ahead as possible, the steering box at it's center , as close as possible and then install the pitman arm.

Unfortunately, you may find when the vehicle is going straight ahead, the steering wheel will not be in the perfect straight ahead position. It is very unusual for a sector shaft not to have that alignment mark. What you may wind up doing is have an alignment shop correct as much as they can to make the system acceptable.

If you don't mind my asking , why did you need to replace the steering box ?

 

Ok I will look into the alignment mark. My steering after having an alignment, had this notchy feeling while driving. Lots of excessive wheel movement to keep the van straight, drifting when off the wheel, having to load the wheel to stay straight. I replaced the ball joints, then I noticed the tie rods were loose, I had power steering fluid leaking. I appreciate all your help

 

This is all water under the bridge.
If it was leaking from the steering box, those seals can be easily replaced.
If you didn't have the notchy feeling before the alignment, they tightened the steering box too much, maybe. Or it was just low on fluid. OR P/S pump/belt?

Most alignment shops don't have the proper equip to align Ford trucks.
I can't believe they did an alignment with worn tie rod ends. Might be a good idea to find another shop !

We might have been able to save you some time and $$$ if you inquired about some of the problems.

Suggest you check the radius rod bushings for wear. Can be a little work to replace them and maybe they didn't want to get involved.
Don't know all the answers, but there are some knowledgable folks here and they might have been able to save you some time and $$$.

Anyway,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Happy New Year ! !