1986 Ford pickup steering problem

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I recently bought a 1986 step side pickup, it came from Arizona where it lived most of it's life, body is near perfect with no rust but the steering is real spooky with binding and strange noises. My mechanic says it needs an intermediate shaft and we are having problems locating one. Does anyone recommend a source for a new or reconditioned one? I feel it's unsafe to drive it out of town the way it is. Thanks in advance. Barry B,/Ma.

[ponymare]

We get ours through napa, and Oriley.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Thanks Ponymare, I'll try NAPA tomorrow.

Barry B.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

No luck at NAPA, I asked about a new intermediate shaft and they have no number for it. I'm bringing the truck to a good mechanic that will go from the gearbox up to see where the problem is, it appears to me to be in the upper tilt mechanism but I'll know more next Monday. The mechanic doesn't want to buy anything until he finds the problem and I don't blame him.

[willowbilly3]

Possible a rag joint.

[frank long island]

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does the wheel move side to side or any movement at the tilt joint I drove a tow truck that had a problem like that it was caused by the owner who was large and used it to pull himself into the truck

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Frank long island, you may have hit on something there, we took the wheel off and saw some beat up rusty bearings at the upper shaft. Can't understand where the rust came from as the truck spent it's life in Arizona and there is no rust anywhere else on the truck, being air conditioned maybe moisture gathered there, regardless a good used upper unit is on order and it will be a no tilt version which is fine as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for your suggestions. Barry B/ Ma. Incedently Willy, the rag joint and 2 pc. lower shaft checked out ok, thanks.

Thursday update: The garage installed a nice used upper unit today and steering acts like it should now. A pleasure to drive again. Thanks Barry B.