Steering Linkage
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Steering Linkage
83 F150 2WD stamped front axles...
I noticed an oddity while under my truck. When I had the passenger side jacked up I happened to grab the drag link and it and the tie rod would rotate like a 1/2" all the way across to the far tie rod ball stud.
It doesnt do it when its not jacked up. I watched the ball studs...the castle nut end was rigid, the other side would rotate, making me think they are all broken. BTW...all original 30 yr old parts.
I noticed an oddity while under my truck. When I had the passenger side jacked up I happened to grab the drag link and it and the tie rod would rotate like a 1/2" all the way across to the far tie rod ball stud.
It doesnt do it when its not jacked up. I watched the ball studs...the castle nut end was rigid, the other side would rotate, making me think they are all broken. BTW...all original 30 yr old parts.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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its normal for them to have a good bit of rotational slack like that. tie rod ends are just ball joints, and have a good bit of room to rotate like that.
its just under more friction when the wheels are on the ground, which is why you can't move it then.
check them for slack by jacking up one wheel and trying to steer by pushing/pulling the front/rear of the wheel. there will probably be a tiny bit of slack in the wheel bearings, but shouldn't be any slop in the steering linkage or ball joints. check the ball joints by doing the same thing while holding the top and bottom of the wheel, rocking in and out. movement means things are worn out.
its just under more friction when the wheels are on the ground, which is why you can't move it then.
check them for slack by jacking up one wheel and trying to steer by pushing/pulling the front/rear of the wheel. there will probably be a tiny bit of slack in the wheel bearings, but shouldn't be any slop in the steering linkage or ball joints. check the ball joints by doing the same thing while holding the top and bottom of the wheel, rocking in and out. movement means things are worn out.
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