I have a 1994 F-150 4WD with an alignment problem... Mechanic says I need a new front axle... where the radius arm attaches to the axle is a little play... when you step on the brake you can see the differential shift forward and on acceleration you can see the diff shift backward a bit. any help would be appreciated... are there bushings in there?

 

Exactly what kind of alignment problem are you having? There are thick rubber bushings at the mounting points for both the radius and TTB arms so some movement is normal but worn bushings are common so they should be replaced if they allow any free movement when unloaded. But that doesn't mean you need to replace the axle, these things are heavy components so they aren't gonna just wear or break under normal conditions, unless the truck has been abused offroad or stuffed in a ditch at speed it should outlast the rest of the truck.

 

The alignment shop told me that where the radius arms are attached to the front axles have too much play. Seems to me that there should be a way to fix that without changing axles. I don't want to change to a straight axle if I can fix this one

 

Oh, I guess I should mention it has a 4" suspension lift running 38's

 

Sounds like the hole in the axle for the long bolt that holds the radius arm to the axle is wallowed out. Kind of a tough one. You might be able to punch the holes a little larger and weld a sleeve in there with the same ID as the original hole, or just use a larger diameter bolt after drilling both the radius arm and the axle housing. Either way is not ideal as it removes metal from the axle housing.

38s are pretty big for a little D44!