Need help! Steering question
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 9
Need help! Steering question
Ok guys I've searched a hundred threads and can't find this answer. When I'm s
Turning the wheel and the body moves before the wheel does, what are some possible diagnosis. I have a 6 inch lift and 35x10.50 tires.
Turning the wheel and the body moves before the wheel does, what are some possible diagnosis. I have a 6 inch lift and 35x10.50 tires.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 1
From: Suburbs of Chicago
That gap in where the rubber used to be will contribute to some body roll. You just created an inch of slop with no resistance.
As for the slop in the steering, you need to be more specific about what you mean that the body moves
As for the slop in the steering, you need to be more specific about what you mean that the body moves
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Not sure just what you mean ..... but if the axle is leaned back so there is some caster, like if a line drawn through the ball joints would hit the ground
in front of the tire center (positive caster) .... then as soon as the wheel (on ground) starts turning left or right you would .... should ....
feel a shift if sitting in the cab stationary due to "caster". If there was no change made in C-bushings or the radius arm rear not lowered when the lift
was installed, then you may have zero or even negative caster. Some positive caster is a good thing.
If however, the cab and frame are say ... shifting to the right before there is any movement seen at the road wheel when the steering wheel is turned,
then I would say track bar bushings or perhaps the track bar mount itself over on the left frame rail is loose or the frame cracked.
Get under the front end laying on your back and have someone rocking the steering wheel left and right as you inspect track bar bushings and watch for
any deflection in the track bar mounts on left frame and right side axle tube.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Palmyra
X 2 on this theory
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
What are we working on, besides a 73-79 fseries? f150, f100, f250, f350, I am going to say probably 4x4 with a lift. 1/2 ton needs front end rebuilt, all new bushings, and check ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, brakes, and be sure that that thing is road worthy, a 1/2 ton is a lighter suspension that the 3/4 tons for that much tire and lift. I would not drive it till it is fixed. Not road worthy.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
What are we working on, besides a 73-79 fseries? f150, f100, f250, f350, I am going to say probably 4x4 with a lift. 1/2 ton needs front end rebuilt, all new bushings, and check ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, brakes, and be sure that that thing is road worthy, a 1/2 ton is a lighter suspension that the 3/4 tons for that much tire and lift. I would not drive it till it is fixed. Not road worthy.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 9
Sorry guys yes, it is a 1977 f150 4x4. All the bushings in the front are good. Previous owner swapped the front end over to the 78-79 steering components. I went through it everything is tight. There is some slack on the shaft the enters the steering gear box when turning the wheel it moves a lot before the pitman arm does, least a quarter to half a turn.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 1
From: Suburbs of Chicago
If the shaft moves before the pitman arm, then its in your shaft like you said. Depending on your column set up, check your rag joint or your steering shaft u-joint. There can also be play in the gearbox itself between the pitman and sector shaft
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,251
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Well new shocks are not going to fix this problem, as far as matching whats shocks on it now, measure them.....
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 9
i know the new shocks wont fix the steering gear box issue. but im hoping that the new shocks with new rubbers will help witht he body roll. im thinking ill probably need to replace the steering box as well. but figured the body roll issue might be a little more serious than the loose steering.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,251
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Body roll could be cause you have a big ol lift and tires on it....ya think? All the rubber will give you a driving on low PSI radial tire feeling.
And the loose steering box only makes it worse, how is your steering stabilizer condition?
And the loose steering box only makes it worse, how is your steering stabilizer condition?