Steering problems
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Salem, OR
Steering problems
I've got an 86, 6.9L, F250, 2wd. It has a small amount of play in the rebuilt steering gear, plus a smaller amount of play in the rag joint, total about 1-1/8" at the wheel. The problem is when it drifts to one side you pull a little in the wheel to correct, and nothing happens. You pull a little more and it will over correct and go the other way. I do this as gently as possible, but it is still an issue.
I have replaced the sway bar and radius arm bushings w/polly, had the wheels professionally aligned and the king pins and ball joints are in good shape. What I haven't done, and was trying to avoid, was replace the axle pivot bushings. These look good but are hard to inspect w/o removal.
My question is, what would be the most likely cause of this problem? I suspect the axle bushings, but would appreciate others input, before I tackle these. I am hoping some one else has had this issue, and has a solution.
Thanks in advance,
I have replaced the sway bar and radius arm bushings w/polly, had the wheels professionally aligned and the king pins and ball joints are in good shape. What I haven't done, and was trying to avoid, was replace the axle pivot bushings. These look good but are hard to inspect w/o removal.
My question is, what would be the most likely cause of this problem? I suspect the axle bushings, but would appreciate others input, before I tackle these. I am hoping some one else has had this issue, and has a solution.
Thanks in advance,
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 17
Yes, axle pivot bushing for sure! That's a hairy ride, you end up halfway into the oncoming traffic lane. My '69 F250 was like that when I bought it, made for a wild ride home.
Good news is it's not that hard to pull the axle off. The new bushing needs to be pushed in at a machine shop, but it's not expensive, Napa only charge me $15 to push the new busing in. (That's the labor, bushing was extra.)
Good news is it's not that hard to pull the axle off. The new bushing needs to be pushed in at a machine shop, but it's not expensive, Napa only charge me $15 to push the new busing in. (That's the labor, bushing was extra.)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 17
As far as checking them, jack the truck up by the frame so the axle and spring have no tension on them and the wheel is just hanging. Grab the bottom of the wheel and pull out, if the bushing is bad you'll get a fair amount of play.
Or jack the truck up as described above, block it up for safety's sake, pull the axle pin bolt and pull the end of the axle down to where you can visually look at the bushing. If it's been driven like this for some time the bold may have some wear in it too causing it to hang while driving it out. Usually just twisting it until you get to the sweet spot to come out will work.
Or jack the truck up as described above, block it up for safety's sake, pull the axle pin bolt and pull the end of the axle down to where you can visually look at the bushing. If it's been driven like this for some time the bold may have some wear in it too causing it to hang while driving it out. Usually just twisting it until you get to the sweet spot to come out will work.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WillsF100
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jan 2, 2011 08:45 PM
