Steering issue.
#1
06-07-2016, 05:21 PM
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Steering issue.
Recently purchased a 1997 F150
4.6L 4x4 XLT/Off Road. Runs great, repaired a few issues as you would expect. My mechanic says everything is well with it.
My steering has a bit of play. I figured I would grow accustomed to it and I think I did. Now my issue is when turning to the right, (when going 50+) it seems to pull right very easy to the point where I jerk the wheel back left to compensate,and it also seems to want to stay on that right turning line. When turning left, with the play in the wheel I can feel a little resistance when it is about to catch, where the truck will actually begin to turn, which seems to function perfectly for me.
I'm nervous that I'm going to jerk right one time and begin to slide if the road was wet.
My mechanic says everything underneath is good, turning in sync when he looks under , joints, tie rods all good. I decided to get an alignment and that didn't help. My mechanic thinks it's just me not used to the play in the older truck. I'm not so sure, and looking for advice.
The tires are in fair condition but could use to be replaced, not sure if they could play a role in this, also front and back are not the same. But I want to spend my $$ on what will actually help.
Does this make sense to anyone, or do I need to find another mechanic?
4.6L 4x4 XLT/Off Road. Runs great, repaired a few issues as you would expect. My mechanic says everything is well with it.
My steering has a bit of play. I figured I would grow accustomed to it and I think I did. Now my issue is when turning to the right, (when going 50+) it seems to pull right very easy to the point where I jerk the wheel back left to compensate,and it also seems to want to stay on that right turning line. When turning left, with the play in the wheel I can feel a little resistance when it is about to catch, where the truck will actually begin to turn, which seems to function perfectly for me.
I'm nervous that I'm going to jerk right one time and begin to slide if the road was wet.
My mechanic says everything underneath is good, turning in sync when he looks under , joints, tie rods all good. I decided to get an alignment and that didn't help. My mechanic thinks it's just me not used to the play in the older truck. I'm not so sure, and looking for advice.
The tires are in fair condition but could use to be replaced, not sure if they could play a role in this, also front and back are not the same. But I want to spend my $$ on what will actually help.
Does this make sense to anyone, or do I need to find another mechanic?
#2
06-08-2016, 07:25 PM
somebody is wrong, either you or the mechanic......... have you driven other trucks to see how they respond ? A good mechanic should be able to see any slop in the steering arm, tie rods, ball joints and bushings... If you are convinced that you know what a truck should feel like, then I would get a quick check from another mechanic to confirm a problem. Old worn out tires could effect the steering.
#3
06-10-2016, 07:06 PM
Postmaster
Many alignment shops give free estimates. Get them to do a shake/pry test on ALL of the steering components. Eyeballing does nothing, each individual part has a certain way to be checked. They ALL need checked for play. If the shop that already did your alignment checked it properly and found nothing, the steering box might be worn out and be the cause.
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