60 Ranchero steering problem

patrick glide · 05-06-2008, 07:47 PM

I have a 1960 Ranchero and I am having a problem with the steering. There is alot of play in the steering wheel and this happened suddenly. I have checked the front suspension for wear but everything seems to check out ok. If anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Pat

yank with ute · 05-07-2008, 10:48 AM

Could be steering box failure. They need adjustment now and then (look for a slotted screw head on top of the box)

added 5-8-08 -

Looked at a steering box last night and on that one the adjustment screw actually projected above the surface of the housing. It is directly on the opposite side (top) of the housing from the steering shaft's location (comes out of the bottom).

DO NOT mess wit the bolt head that has the "castle" shaped head.

patrick glide · 05-07-2008, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the advice yank. I will give that a try.

jonmark1985 · 05-07-2008, 08:05 PM

Also check that the rag joint (if equipped) didn't fail.

patrick glide · 05-08-2008, 06:37 AM

Thanks for the reply jonmark1985. What is a rag joint?

jonmark1985 · 05-08-2008, 06:45 AM

Its like a universal joint in the steering column. Usually made of a rubber or leather. they are prone to breaking apart, then when you steer only the knuckles of the joint rub against each other. giving you about an 1/8 turn play.

yank with ute · 05-08-2008, 07:29 AM

A stock 1960 Ranchero has a SOLID steering shaft, no "rag joint".

The "rag joint" first appeared late in the 1967 model year as it was part of the collapsing steering column mandated by U.S. Federal law starting with the 1968 model year (OZ and NZ dates unknown).

Can't believe how many auto mechanics are not aware of this. Once had to drive 19 miles to show a "certified" GM mechanic and his supervisor that a 1964 Corvair steering unit didn't come apart let alone have a rag joint.

I asked how they could be "certified" to work on GM cars and lack the basic knowledge of the vehicles. The reply, "You in the machine trades are at the bank crying for loans when we come in and cash our fat paychecks". Guess that's why my funds are tight, I'm honest...

jonmark1985 · 05-08-2008, 07:51 AM

Didn't know that...

Guess I have a lack of basic knowledge of vehicles to ...

yank with ute · 05-08-2008, 08:08 AM

Every generation comes to the point that the youngins "don't have the common sense we were born with"*. That's one reason I'm trying to get what I have learned down for the newbies. Wish others will see my point.

*You should have heard the remarks made about me because I don't know nothin' about the flathead Fords.

(Sigh!)

ZBlackBeast · 05-16-2008, 12:18 PM

Not meaning to start a fight or anything, but last i checked todays cars are WAY more complex than anything from "your" day... Not eveyone on earth has 100% knowledge of every car made. I Just recently replaced a transmission in a 93 SHO, yet there are alot of things about the car i dont understand. Now with that being said, you cant make those types of remarks about the "younger generation" just because you know more. Last time i checked, learning is a part of life. I bet when you were 15 you didnt know crap about cars.... Now im not saying its right that people dont do any research in finding a solution to their answer by anymeans, but some people may not have the time to spend hours, or they just want to be one hundred percent sure of what they are doing as not to break it. Now ive read my explorer manual cover to cover pretty much, but there are still things i need to ask the older guys about that may not make sense to me, or they just have an easier way of doing that. So now i ask that you refrain from making those types of stereotypical remarks just because you dont like where the economy is heading....
Clay