Hello, my 96 F150 4X2 purchased about 3 weeks ago with 86k and runs/looks great but I seem to have to chase it constantly in the steering. It seems like there is too much play with an unsure feeling. I have checked the air pressures all at 35lbs. The right front tire has some cupping on the edge. The tires are Firehawks 255/70/15/. When it hits a rough spot in the road it tends to follow that direction. There seems to be no significant body role when cornering and the shocks look recent.
Could it just be an allignment issue or what are some possible places to look??
Thanks

 

Jack it up to just clear the front tires off the ground; have someone move the steering wheel and hold each wheel from turning - look for obvious lost motion at each joint; pittman arm, relay rod, each tie rod end. Use a crowbar under each tire and pry up on tire while watching ball joints and radius arms. If none of these are obvious culprits hold tire with someone turning wheel watch to see if there is lost motion in steering gearbox - it can be adjusted if not worn too badly with lash adjuster on top of gearbox. The tire cupping normally indicates worn components or out of alignment condition. Good luck.

 

my 88 does the same thing, whats a 'lash adjuster' and how do I fix it myself?

 

The lash adjuster is the large 'setscrew' that is on top of your steering gearbox. The 'setscrew' has a locknut around it. It should only be adjusted as a last resort. The purpose of the 'setscrew' is to reduce the clearance/slop between badly worn gears in the steering gearbox. Over tightenig may result in binding or broken steering box gears. I wrote off a 69 Torino by overtightening...lost steering going down the street doing 60 and ended up in a very deep ditch.

 

Also check the axle pivot bushings. I had a bad one on my '89 and it was doing the same thing.

 

I apologize for not being emphatic about the hazards of improper adjustment of the adjuster. The proper way to adjust is to pull pittman arm off and adjust the steering gear bearings and lash adjuster using the steering gear specs and an inch pound torque wrench. Overtightening will result in failure of bearings in gearbox at best, and is not a cure all for worn front end parts and should only be attempted as a last resort as stated above after all other parts are found to be in good repair. Sorry again.

 

I looked for that one for awile on my 89. I did a complete rebuild on the front end. It turned out to be the steering shaft. these units are a 2 piece so they collapse in an accident. Have someone turn the steering wheel back & forth & look at where they are joined together. The only place I found one was Borgensen ( i hope spelling is correct) cost about 230.00 I bought the one that has some type of damper for about 260.00