Help With Diagnosing 'Road Walking' Issue

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Oct 9, 2018 | 02:18 PM

Roger T. Pipe

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From: Sandy Hook, CT

Help With Diagnosing 'Road Walking' Issue

1993 F150 5.0 A/T 4x4 I bought this truck a few months back and am just starting to get into it. First up is the steering...it tends to "road walk" meaning, that when driving (straight or otherwise) it tends to dart. You always need to correct the wheel. Truck has 80k original on it and has not been modified in any way. Tires are all matched and are good. Inflation is the same at all 4 corners. Front end *appears* good when I had it on a lift and tugged to see if anything had play. Just my diagnosis NOT an experts. My question is-WHAT could wear out in only 80k miles over 25 years? People have mentioned the steering box but really-at 80k would that seriously be an issue? I've driven F250's WELL over 250k and this has never been an issue, ever. Granted, this is my 1st F150, but something's not right. Any ideas on where to start?

Oct 9, 2018 | 03:27 PM

Conanski

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

Could be seized ball joints or outer drive axle u-joints, they will stick and then suddenly let go when enough force is applied which will make the vehicle dart. This would be hard to diagnose with the steering all connected normally as it would appear tight, but with the front wheels off the ground if you disconnect the pitman arm from the inner tie rod the wheels should swing through their steering arc pretty easily and smoothly, if it takes force to move them something is seized up.

Oct 9, 2018 | 03:35 PM

Mikulh

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From: Laurel, MS

I would also check your Toe-in setting. My understanding is that incorrect toe-in can cause darting.

Oct 9, 2018 | 06:47 PM

Roger T. Pipe

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From: Sandy Hook, CT

The alignment was checked when I bought the truck but I know that's only as good as the tech is....regardless, that checked out OK...that ball joint thing worries me, but everything is greased and appears OK...I may have to pull the Pittman arm to confirm that though....

Oct 10, 2018 | 12:38 AM

88n94

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From: South Dakota

My first guess would be a bad tie rod end or a bad drag link. I have experienced this darting a few times and it always turned out to be a bad tie rod end or drag link. It could also be in the linkage between the steering wheel and the steering box. Or less likely the steering box itself. My take is it is in the general linkage between the steering wheel and the tires.

Oct 10, 2018 | 01:06 AM

GoinBoarding

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Laramie, WY

I've had sticky ball joints like Paul noted. They were not fun to drive with. That was with recent Moog TRE's and drag link, as well as a RedHead steering gear. Truck still drove like crap, for a couple years. I figured it was poor alignment from wheeling, or something. Toe was correct, camber was reasonable, and caster wasn't suspected as the truck didn't pull to one side (just left, then right, then left, then right, then....). Finally, I noticed a little play in one ball joint and decided to change them. Fresh joints, and it was easy driving, with no change to the alignment. Just because they're greased doesn't mean they don't "stick" under the weight of the truck.

Oct 10, 2018 | 08:25 AM

Freightrain

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From: Ohio

Get some assistance and reconfirm your toe-in. I have had this issue with a couple trucks, even with multiple "professional" alignments I found the one truck to have 3/4" toe-out!!! Ya, it was wandering nightmare. Some time with a tape measure brought it into normal and drives like a dream now.