Symptoms
Steering play, a box that shifts on the frame when the wheel is turned, cracks in the frame around the box, or heavy manual steering (manual was standard through 1972).
The fix, step by step
- Check the box is tight to the frame first: a loose box moves and makes the steering feel vague.
- Inspect the frame rail around the mounting bolts and, as Wild Horses suggests, weld in extra support if it's cracked or thin.
- Never turn the play-adjusting screw on top of the box more than one turn in, or the sector shaft jams against the piston.
- To add power steering, you need double-groove crank and water-pump pulleys, a pump bracket and a pump.
- On trucks with vacuum wipers fed from the fuel pump, the pump can't go in its normal place, so convert to electric wipers first.
- Bronco Graveyard's Delphi kit has a 3.75-turn box that bolts on with the three stock bolts (a fourth hole can be drilled), plus the pump, hoses, pulleys and a collapsible lower shaft for a 3/4-inch 36-spline aftermarket column.
Tools & part numbers
- Pitman-arm puller
- socket set and torque wrench
- welder and grinder (if the frame is cracked)
- drill
Where to buy the parts
1966–77 Bronco Delphi power-steering conversion, 3.1:1 ratio (V8)Bronco Graveyard ↗Amazon ↗
Delphi power-steering box, 1966–77 BroncoBronco Graveyard ↗Amazon ↗
Early Bronco tie rods and drag linksWild Horses 4x4 ↗Amazon ↗
RockAuto catalog, 1972 Bronco 302 — tie rod endsRockAuto ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Ford Bronco (1966–1977) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.