Steering Problem

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Jun 4, 2003 | 11:55 AM

MVARGAS

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Joined: Jun 2003

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Steering Problem

I Have A '95 Eddie Bauer W/ A 351. Recently When I Make A Sharp Turn ( Left Or Right ) The Steering Wheel Does Not Come Back To Center , But Continues To Drive Into The Direction Of The Turn. With A Sharp Pull Of The Wheel To The Opposite Direction It Will Straighten Out And Drive True. I Have The Truck Sitting At The Dealer As I Write This And Once Again They Tell Me They Are Not Sure What It Is. The Ball Joints Are Tight , I Have Some Play In The Steering Box , Otherwise They Suggest Changing All The Ball Joints And The Steering Box To The Tune Of $ 2000.00 Canadian. They Have Also Suggested That They Could Try To Adjust The Steering Box. Is This Possible? Also I Should Mention That 2 Times I Have Been On An Onramp And Had The Truck Suddenly Drift Of Sharply In The Direction Of The Turn Without The Steering Wheel Physically Moving , And Once Again I Corrected This With A Sharp Jerk Of The Wheel In The Opposite Direction. I'm A Bit Desperate With This Situation. Any Help Would Be Appreciated.

Last edited by alanscott; Jun 5, 2003 at 05:32 AM.

Jun 4, 2003 | 12:35 PM

MVARGAS

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Steering Problem

Last edited by alanscott; Jun 5, 2003 at 07:14 PM.

Jun 4, 2003 | 12:38 PM

fcarruth

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 573

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From: Medina, Tn.

Steering Problem

Mine does the same thing EXCEPT it does not all of a sudden swerve one way or another without the steering wheel moving. To me, that sounds like steering box problems and could be pretty darn dangerour but I am no where near a steering expert as some on this site are.

Let us know what fixes it and I am alos waiting on a few replies for the other forum people.

Jun 4, 2003 | 01:05 PM

mrwizard

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 2,205

Likes: 1

From: Vancouver WA

Steering Problem

They want to replace the ball joints even though they look good? Steering boxes can be adjusted by loosening the lock nut and turning the adjusting screw in very small increments.

Jun 4, 2003 | 07:50 PM

greystreak92

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9,182

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From: Gateway to the West

Steering Problem

Even the tiny adjustments available by messing with the sector shaft adjustment wouldn't account for the kind of sudden wander you are experiencing...it sounds more severe than just a little play in the steering gearbox. They have checked ball joints but there are at least a half dozen OTHER bushings under the front of your truck that help maintain its alignment and steering control. A Ford dealer should KNOW this and KNOW to check them out. Tierod ends at each steering knuckle and the pitman arm... one midway down the tierod from the pitman arm to the passenger steering knuckle. Axle pivot bushings... one at the mounting end of each half of the front axle (on the crossmember). Radius arm bushings... one at the end of each radius arm where it mounts to the frame of the truck. Each of these bushings plays a role in maintaining alignment and steering control. Axle pivot bushings and tierod ends moreso for the kind of wander you are getting than radius arm bushings. Make sure all are checked for wear and deterioration.

Jun 4, 2003 | 11:26 PM

BOJOFASO

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 813

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From: NJ

Steering Problem

check the radius arm mounts on the frame.the passengerside especially check to make sure they are not cracked or broken. saw this on a 92 and it did the same thing as you describe. not the bushings but the mounts themselves. let us know what the verdict is.

Jun 5, 2003 | 01:51 PM

jeep8589

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 181

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From: covington

Steering Problem

Had a jeep that did about the same thing. After taking it to 3 different ASE mechanics I decided to have the alignment checked since I got 3 different answers. The guy making 8 dollars and hour at the tire shop tells me my ball joints are shot. Fixed the ball joints and fixed the problem. If I was you I would ask them to try these procedures or try them yourself to try to make sure. Jack the front end up and disconnect all of the tie rod ends from all connections. Rotate the front spindles through full range of motion. It should be smooth all the way through. Also rotate all the tie rod ends and make sure they rotate smoothly in all directions. If they don't that is the culprit. As severe as it sounds, yours should be easy to detect. I can tell you from experience prying on things with a pry bar is no way to check for bad steering components which is what most mechanics do. Ex. A tie rod may be very tight in one position but may be very worn when moved in another position. Good Luck.