Something weird in front end
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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..
I am stumped..
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
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.
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.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
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.
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Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
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.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
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.
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Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
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Locomotive breath
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Mid Oh. Ponderosa
Wow, I almost forgot what a difference good ball joints make, like driving a new truck. Got it back together this morning. My only regret is not changing the axle u-joint on the right side I did last Sept. Almost everything new in the front except for that item.
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