I have owned my 2000 f350 CCLB SRW for almost 2 years now. I started getting some bad outside tire wear and after some research decided to start with shocks. After getting new 285 75R16's and the pothole season, I was going to get it aligned to make sure I was within spec. I had a little bit of a loose feeling in the front end that would kind of be clunky going over potholes/bumps. When I went to tackle the front brakes I realized I had two wheel hub bearing units that were shot. After I replaced those and the knuckle seals the front felt really good and tight. A week or so later it felt a little looser and clunky again. I had to take my truck in for state inspection and I asked my mechanic to take a look over everything I worked on to make sure it looked correct and everything still seemed tight. He said it all looked good. Another week of a loose feeling I jacked it up and tried to feel any play in the tires but it all felt normal. Tried wiggling suspension components but everything felt right there too. The fact that it was tight after the wheel hub bearing replacement makes me think that they could be involved in the problem? I saw a thread where someone was talking about something in the leaf spring that could cause a similar issue. Anyone have something similar or some ideas on what to check next? I guess it could be possible that I got a bad set of wheel hub bearings and they are starting to loosen but not enough that I feel play in the wheel, but with 8000 lbs of truck it does? Most of my suspension components have grease fittings on them. I wouldn't think I could get a loose feeling if they needed grease? I will grease them anyway in case it helps.

 

I have similar issues. I replaced bearing assemblies, seals, and ball joints about six months ago. I also did a leveling kit (new springs and shocks), and still have a bit of a clunk. Next thing I'll do is tie rod ends. I can here a bit of movement from them when I hit the tie rod real hard with the palm of my hand. Not much to replace other than that, so I'm hoping that will do it.

Did you check your ball joints when you were in there?

Oh yeah, I also replaced sway bar bushings.

 

I would first jack up one side, enough to get a decent size crow bar under the tire, and pry the tire up and down. You need to use a crow bar or something similar to be able to move that tire. Any up and down movement and you need ball joints. If that passes grab the wheel and try to move it side to side. Movement that way would indicate something in the steer linkage worn. Next I would have a helper start the truck and you look under the front end as he moves the wheel back and forth while you watch the linkage move. there should not be much play in the linkage before the tires move. Next watch the track bar bushings at each end of the bar, again there should be very little play in those bushings.
As for the sway bar if the bushings are old just replace them with poly ones.
hopefully I didn't forget anything.
Roy

 

Thanks guys. That's an awesome start. I will look into it

 

To elaborate on what cps said about the steering linkage, see how much the steering wheel moves before the pitman arm on the steering gear moves. You may have a worn steering gear. You can tighten it up to a point with the adjustment screw on top.

 

I have a feeling that the tie rod ends might be shot. If I was going to replace some of those components would you guys recommend just doing everything from the pitman arm out to the wheels or just the components that are bad? What is the "good" brand to use? I saw a Moog kit that had everything including ball joints for right around $650. http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com...PackageDeal012 or is OEM the way to go?

 

Seems reasonable with free shipping. Too bad it did not include the track bar bushings. I would definitely get them to throw them in if you were to order from them.