it seems that my PS system is messed up as the control body that screws n2 the center link is loose at the part where it threads on the link there r no other spots of play n the tie rod end or Pitman/Ilder Arm. just where the controller screws on. the play doesn't look that bad. but i'm afraid to drive it as the slightest bump n the road and i'm off n the other lane it seems like. so i was askin if any1 can post pics of their setup. it would help alot as i can compare it to mine. i was so happy that that i finally got my car running again after a Cam failure. i was gona drive it up to the Ohio Swap Meet but it scared the crap outa me with all the play n the system. but i know where the problem it i think. and i only live about 2 1/2Hrs from Columbus. if any1 n the area wouldn't mind helping out a fellow Owner that would b great. oh b4 i forget it's a '74 Maverick with the 302/toploader
here is a vid of the issue hope u can tell me what might b the problem the play is at the part where it screws on to the center link even with the clamp tightened as far as i can. Issue Video if u need another view just ask
The stock power steering on a Maverick is just plain sloppy. I don't think what you showed in the video (difficult to see exactly) was any different than what mine looked like, and probably no different than anyone elses. In fact, I recall driving an early 70s ford truck from Houston to Dallas and I was swimming all over the road, constantly turning the steering wheel from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock just to keep in my lane. My maverick drove the same way when I had the stock power steering setup on it. I went fully manual for a couple of years, which helped a lot. Now I have a mustang II power rack and pinion, which helps even more.
Looks loose to me... Is the clamp tight that holds the valve to the drag link?? Otherwise there could be too much clearance in the steering sector that allows the shaft to move vertically...
yes I have the clamp as tight as I can get It. n the clamp area it seems that is where all the play is.
I believe your ball stud has slop in it and the control valve itself is tight on the drag link. Have someone work the steering wheel back and forth and look at the ball stud.... I believe you will find your slop is located there and all of this can be replaced/rebuilt to solve your problem. Here are the kits shown in Melvins Classic Ford Parts catalog:
Power Steering / Z-bar Issue here is a picture or where the play is at n my system it is like the clamp does not get tight enough to keep it from wiggling on the shaft any ideas that i can do to fix it on the cheap as i live on a very cheap budget. and i just blew everything i was saving on the motor rebuild/upgrades and since i had not had the car on the road for a few yrs i forgot about this problem till yesterday when i took the car out after i got done with the rebuild/Install no on another not the since i have never worked on a Maverick b4 now i noticed when i installed the motor the Z-Bar will not lock onto the Ball Pivot on the block and b/c of that i can not push the clutch when i turn the wheel to the left as the bar hits the pitman arm. the Zbar doesnt hit or rub on anything else and as i said i have never worked on a system like this so i have no clue what could b the issue there. any help with that would b great
thanks, I did that today and found that a 1/4 or the way down the bolt the treads were striped. car goes n for an Alignment tomorrow so hopefully everything goes well
