Steering issue

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Jun 23, 2012 | 02:10 PM

Doucheatron

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Steering issue

I've posted this in the general Super Duty forum, but decided that it would probably be useful to put here as well. The Diesel discussion forum generally seems to be geared towards being more helpful, as a rule. If posting this in two different forums is a little douchy, well...what do you expect, given my name?

Anyway...

I hopped a curb yesterday getting out of the way of an emergency vehicle, and when I dropped back down to the street, I lost all steeringcontrol - turns out the ball joint connecting the Pitman arm to the steering arm had popped out of the steering knuckle. I popped it back in using a c-clamp, but obviously I'd like to fix this. What parts do I need to replace?

I'm not 100% sure of the terminology I'm using. The ball joint on the arm that extends from the steering gearbox popped out of its socket on the arm that connects to the passenger side wheel. Either way, having steering parts that already failed does not fill me with confidence, and I'd like to fix this before Monday, without having to replace more than is necessary. I can't imagine those main steering arms are super cheap.

Jun 23, 2012 | 05:26 PM

mueckster

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Damon (South East Texas)

You need the pitman arm tie rod end of the drag link. I replaced mine a few weeks ago with one from NAPA. NAPA AUTO PARTS (picture of part in link) It should be readily available from most parts houses. I measured from the adjustment sleeve to the center of the ball socket (grease fitting) and adjusted the new one to that measurement.

Jun 23, 2012 | 08:08 PM

F350-6

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From: Texas

The first thing I would do is crawl under the truck and inspect the rest of the steering linkage. Those "ball joints" should have a castle nut with a cotter pin through it so they don't accidentally pop out like yours did today.

Make sure all those nuts are tight and have pins in them before you drive anywhere else.

Jun 24, 2012 | 04:26 PM

Doucheatron

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mueckster I don't think that's the part I need. According to the diagram linked to that part, it's the drag link that I need to replace.https://partimages.genpt.com/partimages/1394473.pdf If I'm correct, the pitman arm is the arm that comes down from the steering gearbox, and connects to the end of drag link, whereas the tie rod connects to the drag link about a foot away from the pitman arm.

I went to Advance Auto Parts (closest to me) to get a drag link, but the one they had did not have the joint for the tie rod to connect to. I'm guessing there's no way to simply replace the worn-out joint, correct?

Jun 24, 2012 | 05:04 PM

Doucheatron

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OKay, looks like I've found what I need: NAPA AUTO PARTS.

Tie Rod End, Inner. That other diagram was confusing. I'll be picking this up and putting it in tomorrow.

Jun 24, 2012 | 05:35 PM

mueckster

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From: Damon (South East Texas)

I linked to the tie rod end for a 4x4. I should have asked you what you had before posting the link. Most members have their info in their signature. Sorry for the confusion. I would have been able to "steer''

you in the right direction, if I had known.

Jun 24, 2012 | 06:36 PM

sand_fiend

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Joined: Aug 2010

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From: Ventura co.

Hey Doucheatron. I was not being an *** in the other thread to you. I just didn't want to see you get in an accident if it pops out again if you keep driving it.