I have a 2003 XL 2WD I recently bought a couple months ago. I replaced the tires, upper and lower control arms and sway bar links/bushings and then took it to an alignment shop. At first I thought everything was good to go but I think there's something else wrong. This is what I'm observing:
For the most part, it drives straight with the steering wheel straight and doesn't have a noticeable pull in either direction, but It's hard to find an absolute flat road to truly test.
When turning, it turns normal to the right but when turning left, it seems the steering is over responsive. Kind of feels like the left wheel sits back further than the right.
The steering wheel has equal free play from center sitting still but driving the down the road, there is almost no free play to the left vs approximately an inch to the right.
All the links (tie rods, pitman arm, idler arm, etc.) appeared to be fine to me and the alignment shop didn't find anything wrong. I didn't get a copy of the alignment spec sheet..
I'm wondering if this is a steering gear issue or something is tweaked that wasn't apparent during the alignment? Any other ideas?
I don't have any history on the truck but I think it was involved in a minor accident. The left side lower control arm was a PITA to install. The driver side door and fender paint shades are not an exact match and the driver side door does not close easily. Also the lines of the door are not perfectly aligned with the door frame. I replaced the door hinge pins and bushings and made it better but still not right. At some point, spacers were installed in between the hinge and the door. I'm not concerned with the door, just wondering if it were in an accident, what could have been tweaked to cause this minor steering issue?

 

Might be good to take it to a body shop and have them look it over.