ok my truck sat for about 12-14 years... not sure which but it sat for a long time, I plan on replaceing the wheel bearings and lubeing all of the steering components, I plan on buying a grease gun, what other tools am I going to need to do this job, and is it a major job or is it fairly easy...?

 

Steering is 'sticking'? Do you mean it's difficult to turn the steering wheel left to right, or do your wheels drag when you try to rotate them when lifted off the ground?

If the first, be prepared to have your kingpins replaced if your steering is 'sticking'. You'll want to have a front end shop do this.

If the wheels won't rotate, along with a grease gun, buy a shop manual (see motorhaven.com). Repacking the wheelbearings is fairly straight forward on a 2 WD, but read the manual for how much to tighten the nut when you put it back together. If your truck is 4X4 it's a bit more complex because of more parts, but still do-able.

When you take things apart, always lay the pieces out on a clean rag in the exact order you take them out - trust me - it saves a lot of

 

I think the kingpins are alright, its just the truck sat for a long time so I think maybe it would be wise to grease everything up. (I have power steering)My problem is , lets say I am driveing in a giant parking lot, and I am going straight about 25 mph, and I let go of the wheel, it drives straight and doesent lag to one side (as if my wheels were out of alignment) it does NOT do that, but... If I turn my steering wheel a tad to the left or right, it stays in the position I turn it and doesent straighten out like a normal car or truck. What could be the problem? I was thinking maybe it was dryed out grease in my kingpins, Ither that o rmy power steering gear was tightend down too much? What is everyone elses opinion on what this problem is? I would really like to know if I have to take it to a shop to do this or if it is really easy for a person with basic mechanic skills to do? I have never done anything like this befor, I have only done basic engine stuff like replaceing watter pumps and intakes, and messing with carbs and exhaust... Would this be a job I can do?

 

If it's the steering box adjustment, you can do it yourself. Follow the manual.
If it's the kingpins, you're better off taking it to a shop that knows what they're doing. Don't let them put in the nylon bushings.
I'd try greasing it first. Jack it up and get the front I-beams on some jack stands first. Then try turning the wheels while you grease the kingpins. It might help.

 

Nylon bushed king pin's are nice,couse there easy to install,but if you want them to last i would go with brass bushing type,so what they have to be honned to fite but they last a lot longer then nyloon bushing's.I worked in a couple of spring,and brake shop's,and we never used the nylon type.but if your doing it home in the driveway the nylon would be the one of choice!no honning!

 

The symtoms also sound like you should take a look at your universal on the steering shaft. Mine starting behaving the same way only to take the shaft out and the universal had seized. Some penetrating fluid got things going. A quick and easy check anyway.
John.

 

actully your right,i had this problem on my 79 F250,and after i changded the steering shaft from culom to gear box the problem was gone!them little u-joint's freeze up and once that happen's you will have the problem of steering not returning,the power steering system is what make's you think king pin's.But their isn't no power steering used to return to straight position!Heath

 

ok well, I put her up on stands and can move the wheels my hand but its kinda hard, so I set her down loosend the lugs, jacked her up and took off the wheels and cleaned all of the gunk and road build up off of the grease **** and everything else, on my drivers side, on the bottom of the kingpin there is suposed to be a grease inlet, but its gone, there is one on the top and on the top and bottom of the passenger side, so I wanted to know if this was my problem so I sprayed it down with a thin type of penetrateing oil, (knowing if this does or doesent work, I am still cleaning it all out and greasing it up really good) I sprayed them both down with the grease caps off and turn'd the wheels side to side untill it soaked a bunch up, it didnt help anything. I am beguining to think its not my kingpins now.... I have a manual but it does not explaine where the (bolt or nut) is to loosen the steering gears a little to see if thats it....., so if somone could tell me that would be great, also what U joints on the steering shaft are you talking about? I will gladly check them to see if thats the problem (praying to god that it is)... and after all that I am replaceing the grease inlets on the top and bottom of my kingpins and re-greasing them and repacking my wheel bearings.. or might have somone else do it for the cost of parts... ... its nice to know somone who will give me a deal on work now....

 

The u-join't are in the shaft that goes from the end of the steering column to the gear box!their little tiney u-joint's and they freeze up from siting,and it won't let the steering wheel come back on it's own!I had this problem and replaced every componet but the shaft,and it turned out to be that shaft!good luck and please let me know how you make out. Heath