2001 F-350 SD 7.3L with 175K miles. I know it's hard to diagnose over the net, but maybe there's one particular likelihood of something that it may be.
The truck has been doing this for quite a while and it doesn't bother me, or I've just got used to it. But a friend of mine wants to buy it and he was concerned about the steering wanting to follow truck ruts and jump from one to another. In short, it wants to kind of wander going down the road. I've had the truck for 13 years and did have alot of front end work done 75K miles ago. What do I look at first? Any "typical" front end problem on these trucks?

 

Sit static on dry level ash or conc. Key on turn the wheel lightly side to side. If you have a 1/2 inch play, you need a steering box. If your selling to a freind, or anyone for that matter, don't adjust it, just replace it.

Hell after you do it, you might fall back in love and cancel the deal.

Easy job, not too pricey. Check this forum for recent threads. Blue box is what my take is.

Denny

 

Key is just "on", not started, right? And if there's no play?

 

My 99 has had the wanders for as long as I can remember. I replaced all front end components with XRF parts and it helped a little. I'm pretty sure it's the steering box causing it.

 

 

 

Op, I had similar issue on my 00' 250.
had some of the same advice most of which cost money. After watching several videos on adjusting steering box which in my opinion did it WRONG, jack up the front wheels off the ground just enough to be able to rotate. Then , feel the play in the steering wheel, loosen the lock nut on the steering box 5/8 box end, i think the Allen wrench size is 3/16? Holding the nut with box end turn the Allen scews clockwise 1/8 turn then check play in steering wheel if there is still play turn Allen screw another 1/8 turn. Repeat if necessary. DON'T overtighten. When you're comfortable with the adjustment hold Allen screw and tighten set nut. Should be good to go.
I also installed a steering stabilizer, not sure it did any good, but didn't have one when i purchased the truck.

All this done with engine OFF..
GOOD LUCK.

 

As a different set of eyes, are your tires 315's?
The reason i ask is my Corvette's tires are 295 front, 335 rears, they do not fit inside truck ruts (as you mentioned) and therefore jump all over the place trying to settle into them. Usually driving in the other lane is the solution. YMMV

 

 

Yes. ^^
Good point.

 

Mine had gotten so bad no one wanted to drive it but me.
id driven it so long I didn't notice it. Guess I'd gotten use to it.
But u couldn't relax and drive . It took constant correction to drive straight.
After about $2000 most everything on front end is new and tight.
I did most all the work myself . But payed a buddy to do ball joints for me.
Last part I did was steering box. And that got the last of the stack out.
But with 35" tires I know its wearing out again before to Long.