front end question
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
front end question
Rebuilt the front end last year on this truck. I now own it. Front end is really tight, not as in hard to steer. It doesn't straighten up when you go around a corner completely. Going straight it drifts, 0 slack in the steering wheel. Constantly correcting it. Now my 95, I can turn it slightly going down the highway and it will turn back straight. Hope this makes sense. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
That is what prompted the front end work. He went to have it aligned and they said needed ball joints. We replaced ball joints, tie rods, sway bar bushings, shocks. Then he had it aligned. He has had it back twice, they (alignment company) have a great reputation, with the drifting (as he calls it) and they cannot find anything
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
In OBS and some Super Duty models, there have been issues of ball joints that were too tight, causing exactly the problem you are describing. I would drop both tie rod ends and be sure that the hubs/knuckles swivel back and forth smoothly and relatively easily.
IMO, the only way to get a good feel for this is to disconnect the steering linkage so that only the ball joints are in play, as far as what could be dragging when you are steering.
IMO, the only way to get a good feel for this is to disconnect the steering linkage so that only the ball joints are in play, as far as what could be dragging when you are steering.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Well great... I know its hard to turn. When we installed the tie rods, the spindles were a bitch to turn. They are moog and I read earlier today that they had a problem. Wonder if moog has fixed the issue? What ball joints should I use?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
You said you own it now...so I am guessing there was a previous owner? Any chance he did some work on it or had some done and they adjusted the steering box too tight?
If so, I would loosen the lock nut and back out the center pin a quarter turn at a time and try it out. But I wouldn't go more than 1 full turn out . If still the issue, put the center pin back where it was and continue checking.
If so, I would loosen the lock nut and back out the center pin a quarter turn at a time and try it out. But I wouldn't go more than 1 full turn out . If still the issue, put the center pin back where it was and continue checking.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
Previous owner to Our truck had Alighnment shop install new ball joints,the advice I got was they torqued them wrong & they was way to tight,I installed Moog's as per instructions/torque values & it free things up,happy camper now.them XRF units may yield better life?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 58
From: East Tawas, MI
Zero slack in the steering wheel eh??!!!
I think BillyBob69 might have hit this one head on. I've never been in a super that had zero slack in the wheel.
I'm thinking someone adjusted the steering box previously, and that's what prompted all this front end work.
I would index the steering adjustment bolt with white out to mark the original position, back it out a 1/4 turn at a time and drive it. A full turn is as far as I would dare go.
I've seen buddies crank them down to relieve play only to have to replace the box after a few thousand miles.
You should by no means be "stirring paint" while driving down the road, but a 1/4 inch of play in the wheel is very close to where it should be.
It's an easy check to do rather than tearing everything else down just to eliminate it.
Denny
I think BillyBob69 might have hit this one head on. I've never been in a super that had zero slack in the wheel.
I'm thinking someone adjusted the steering box previously, and that's what prompted all this front end work.
I would index the steering adjustment bolt with white out to mark the original position, back it out a 1/4 turn at a time and drive it. A full turn is as far as I would dare go.
I've seen buddies crank them down to relieve play only to have to replace the box after a few thousand miles.
You should by no means be "stirring paint" while driving down the road, but a 1/4 inch of play in the wheel is very close to where it should be.
It's an easy check to do rather than tearing everything else down just to eliminate it.
Denny
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
c2z4s9
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
17
Jul 26, 2012 09:22 AM
KTM Mike
Excursion - King of SUVs
5
Jul 22, 2007 03:25 PM