Confused
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Senior User
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
Confused
On my 83 f150 4x4 5.8L the steering is tight and keeping the truck in the middle of the road is tedious. Whether the steering box screw is unscrewed minus a quarter turn, or screwed all the way in, minus a quarter to half turn, the steering remains the same. Any suggestions? This problem happened overnight. Maybe it's the same squirrel I found in my motorcyle air filter holder making trouble for my truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Princeton MN
If it feels like the steering is popping from side to side, the front axle joints in the knuckels probably siezed. Crank the wheels to one side with the hubs UN locked and try to turn the axle shafts with yours hands. If they turn freely we can look elsewhere. If they are stiff get them replaced asap, or else they can send you into a horrible hard to control wobble while going down the road.
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
Confused
I took your advise and cranked the front wheels to one side. The axle moves freely. What should I take a look at next? Better yet, is the truck basically safe to drive?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Princeton MN
Both sides of the axle?, perhaps your ball joints are siezing. Due they have grease zerks? If so they were replaced, if not they are original. Ypur best bet may be to jack up the front end and separate the drag link from the pitman arm, they try turning the wheels by pulling on the link yourself, if they move freely it may be your steering box (which you will have to separate the drag link anyway).
If they dont turn freely then it chould be ball joints or tierod ends.
If all else fails get the pellet gun and take care of that squirrel.
As far as being safe to drive, that is a determination you need to make, but keep in mind, even 10mph is prenty fast when you can't control a vehicle
If they dont turn freely then it chould be ball joints or tierod ends.
If all else fails get the pellet gun and take care of that squirrel.
As far as being safe to drive, that is a determination you need to make, but keep in mind, even 10mph is prenty fast when you can't control a vehicle
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