f250 squirley steering

[efriberg]

The truck dosn't stay straight, and has no preference as to which side it pulls. It is a 2001 fwd f250 diesel and has 44k.

This is what we have done:

upper/lower ball joints on both sides have been replaced (This could indicate rough use since replaced so soon)

new front stabilizer (the strut like dampner);

an allignment and new tires;

we noticed the rear stabalizers were loose and knocking, which once tightend, the knocking sounds went away.

Dealler has no clue, and there is no warranty on the used vehicle. We have adjusted the tightness control on the steering box, but has helped only mildly.

Knowledge would be appreciated
Erik Friberg

[brimickri]

Erik,

I have a 94 4x2 f-150, not sure what the newer ones look like underneath, but my truck suffered the same problem. If you believe the truck may have been used hard, you may want to check the steering box and the pitman arm. My truck seems to "float" ALOT. Sometimes it's OK, then you hit a bump and jar it loose again, and all over the road you go! Another thing to look at is the drag link, which the pitman arm connects to, and goes from tie rod to tie rod, in several pieces. Have someone look at the front end components while you turn the wheel. See if you can see any movement in the joints. Remember, a little play in a steering component will seem much worse when your driving.

[ModMech]

That sounds like wide tires on roads with severe rutting (dips where most of the tires run on the pavement).

As an aside, DO NOT adjust the gear!!! The "adjusting" screw is ONLY for set-up, if you mess with it afterwards to remove "center play" you run a very significant risk of jamming the gear off-center which will prevent you from turning back to center!

The only other thing I can think of aside from the obvious "Is it aligned properly", is are the u-bolts tight? I mean not loose, not are they AS tight as can be.

[ervinj]

I agree with modmech. Sounds like if you've gone through everything else the caster/camber is out and the tire is riding on it's edge instead of the flat. I completely rebuilt my steering (including replacing the gear box ) had it aligned and still it wandered. I carried it to another front end shop and they adjusted the caster/camber and now it rides fine.

1989F-150 4X4 XLT

ervinj