f100 steering issue

So I have a steering problem with my 58 f100. It has the stock box in it and I figure a bunch of guys use this on rods so maybe there will be some knowledge floating around. The problem is that it is really hard to turn the wheel to the point of being dangerous. When going around corners I have a hard time form keeping it out of on coming traffic and it does not center itself. I disconnected the spindle arm from the drag and the wheels turn freely so it is not a king pin problem. With that disconnected and it jacked up it is still almost impossible to turn the wheel. It was not this way last year. Where do I start trouble shooting this, any and all advice welcome.
Thanks
Cbass

 

Since you have eliminated everything beyond the pitman arm as the problem, it is either in the box or in the steering shaft bearings.
Most likely box adjustment or box lubrication, but if you can disconnect the shaft from the box you may eliminate one or the other as the problem.

 

yeah, I believe that the shaft and box do not come apart without taking the box completely apart so I am hoping that the thrust adjustment solves the problem. It is properly lubed so that is not it, we will see how this goes but I have a feeling I will be taking it off the truck and inspecting it on the bench.

 

So I got the box and column out together, anybody have any idea how to get the shaft our of the column or separate the box and column tube?

 

you have to take apart the box, the steering column has a gear at the end inside the box. first pull the tube off and the you'll see.

 

the 4 bolts on the bottom...

 

Thanks for the help guys, got it all apart and cleaned up. I will be putting it back together this weekend, hope all it needed was a good cleaning up of all surfaces and a rebuild. Heres to Hoping.

Cbass