PS box creaking-moving

[72Burro]

the lower housing on my F150 PS box (about an 1-2 inches above the pitman arm ) moves when i turn the wheels with the truck parked. The creaking noise is not from the pump, but from the lower housing as it's flexing. The frame has a reinforced plate attached. The steering geometry is secure and there doesn't seem to be any binding and the creaking noise doesn't happen while the truck is moving. Any thoughts on the issue.

 

[broncolove]

Do you have a brace like this on yours?

 

[72Burro]

nope, it's just a frame reinforcement plate like Chuck sells.

 

[mlogan24]

If you have one of the inside the framerail 2wd F150 boxes (which it sounds like yours is), then you need the brace pictured above. If you have the 4x4x2 F150/Bronco box, then Chuck's plate should be suffecient and you may have frame issues.

 

[72Burro]

PS box is mounted on the outside frame rail..

I also just noticed the front end isn't centered, the axle sits out about an inch further on the drivers side. I don't have an adjustable trac bar. The box movement seems to happen only when I break the wheels L/R from their center position. Could the centering issue be causing it?

 

[chuck]

Is the frame moving? Can you see any cracks? Did you put the tubes inside the frame? Are all the bolts tight?

 

[mtkawboy]

Check the trac bar bushings too

 

[72Burro]

There are no visible cracks. The frame isn't moving either and the trac bar isn't moving at all. I checked the bolts, one was a bit loose, but when i tightened it down it made the same creaking noise as when Iu turn the tires. started it back up and turned the tires and still getting the noise and movement.. guess i'm going to drop the box and get a look at the frame

 

[cracker]

Is your whole box moving or just the sector shaft? If it only happens when you turn from L to R, is the box moving away from the frame? Loose bolts? did you use the existing bolt holes for the PS box or drill new ones? If you drilled new noles, were they reinforced as well?

 

[72Burro]

the housing around the sector shaft is moving, the housing (below the bolts)moves away from the frame. The bolts are tight. It's been about 4 yrs, but I recall drilling new holes, not sure that the holes were reinforced though.

 

[datz510]

Might want to pull the box and sleeve all the holes. If the frame is cracked, weld it up and then drill and solidly weld in a peice of 1/4 plate where the box sits to reinforce the frame wall. Thats what I'd do at least and may have to do in the future. I relocated the box on my Nissan, but at least sleeved the holes.. still have my doubts about it though.