My pitman arm rocks on the splines of the sector shaft even though the nut for the pitman arm is tight. Is it possible to replace just the sector shaft or do I need a whole new steering box?

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
My pitman arm rocks on the splines of the sector shaft even though the nut for the pitman arm is tight. Is it possible to replace just the sector shaft or do I need a whole new steering box?

Two questions and an answer of sorts.

Are you sure it is the sector shaft splines that are worn? Mostly I've seen the pitman arm splines get trashed, or even ripped right out of the arm.

What year ford, manual or power, 2wd or 4wd?

Ok that was more than 2, but you get the idea.

On a 77-79 truck (power, 4wd, non super cab) and 78 & 79 bronco you can replace the sector shaft with ease. I just did it a few weeks ago when I broke the shaft on my bronco on the trail Trip report with pics of carnage (http://www.superford.org/registry/index.php?vID=144&fs=&dni=1&vs0=_1561_&vs1=&vs2=&s1=&s2=&s3=&s4=&s5=&s6=&s7=&s8=&s9=&s10=&s11=&s12=&s13=0&s14=&s15=&s16=&s17=&s18=&s19=&s20=) You simple remove pitman arm, remove the top plate bolts, and the sector shaft will pull up and out. BUT there are differences in sector shafts, between the different years. On the outside the boxes are dimensionally the same, but internally they have slight differences. Easy enough to see when you have them side by side. I carry a spare sector shaft in the field now......under an hour to pull the box and replace the shaft.