94 F150 4x4 steering issues

[466Cyclone]

Greetings Ford Truck folks. I have a 94 F150 4x4 with stock size tires, power steering/brakes and about 140k on it. It has some steering troubles. I realize it's difficult to do armchair diagnostics, but I could use some direction.

The truck steers quite hard, and doesn't want to come back to center after turning either direction. It wants to stay the direction you last aimed it. When you bring the wheel back to center, it's just difficult to say the least as you navigate these meandering new england roads.

I know it needs u-joints in the front wheels, and the tie-rods/ball joints are somewhat loose, but I doubt either of those would cause this. The power steering fluid is where it should be, and the PS pump is whining like a bit*h as you fight the wheel. I have owned Fords all of my life and realize they have noisy pumps, and again, I doubt it's the pump. I'm stumped. Steering box? PS setup?

Any ideas?

-Brian
94 F150 4x4 302 5-speed
70 Mercury Cyclone 466 4-speed 3:50
65 Mercury Comet 302 4-speed 4:11

[alz]

Yes, the front axle u-joints can cause this. They need to be able to pivot when you turn the wheels.
Bad ball joints and loose tie rod ends can cause this as well.
My first guess would be the u-joints though.

[466Cyclone]

I appreciate the feedback. Since I know I need to do the u-joints I'll start there, hopefully this will clear things up. Although, doing the u-joints is a big job I am told. Don't the axles need to be pulled and the ball joints/spindles dropped out?

-Brian
94 F150 4x4 302 5-speed
70 Mercury Cyclone 466 4-speed 3:50
65 Mercury Comet 302 4-speed 4:11

[alz]

Spindles need to be removed.
Do you have auto or manual hubs?
With manual hubs, raise the front end, turn the steering wheel all the way left or right. Lock your hub and spin the wheel. You will be able to tell if the joint is bad, it will bind. Check both sides.
With auto hubs, raise the front end, remove tie rod ends and try to turn the wheel left to right by hand. Again, if it binds it's bad.