Something weird in front end

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 2, 2013 | 10:34 AM

DISLFVR

Thread Starter

Locomotive breath

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,354

Likes: 1

From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa

Something weird in front end

I've noticed in the past two weeks sometimes when I turn the steering wheel hard left or right makes no difference, it seems to hang up a little. And when driving straight down the road all of a sudden it will wonder to the left a little even with the steering wheel centered. I think it's a tie-rod issue as my ball-joints are almost new, however i can't see any play in them when I pry on them with a crow bar. My springs look good as well as the bushings.

I am stumped..

Apr 2, 2013 | 11:29 AM

BillyBob69

Lead Driver

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 7,406

Likes: 52

From: Wheatland, Mo

Check your hubs as well. If they are bad and binding it can cause a "pull". raise the tire off the ground and slowly turn it to see if you can feel or hear any grinding. Needle bearings may need work. But with this you typically hear/feel a sound going down the road as well.
Does this happen when you hit a bump at speed going down the road? Could also be track bar bushings. If those go then your front end can wander or "jump" when you hit a bump causing the truck to veer a little.

Apr 2, 2013 | 12:32 PM

DISLFVR

Thread Starter

Locomotive breath

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,354

Likes: 1

From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa

Forgot to mention, has new Timken wheel bearing hub assy installed last summer. And will give those track bar bushings a closer look.

Apr 2, 2013 | 01:26 PM

HKusp

Lead Driver

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 7,760

Likes: 27

From: Hampton, Maryland.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DISLFVR

Forgot to mention, has new Timken wheel bearing hub assy installed last summer. And will give those track bar bushings a closer look.

Your symptoms sound like my dads old early 99 7.3 when it had ball joint issues. It was like there was a little play in the steering and it would almost stick one way or the other and you would have to correct it in order to drive straight.

Apr 3, 2013 | 06:04 PM

DISLFVR

Thread Starter

Locomotive breath

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,354

Likes: 1

From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKusp

You nailed it Jason, after looking closer I remembered I replaced the ball joints on the right side last Sept. and at the time the left ones were ok. I jacked the left side up this evening and grabbed the tire on the top and bottom and was able to move it possibly 1/16 to 1/8 inch, wow, it went bad quick. With it setting on the ground I couldn't move it enough with the weight on it.