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I’m sure this question has been asked and answered, but I don’t have the time to research past threads.
‘00 F250 PSD 4x4 w/ 330k on the clock.. new ball joints, tight tie rod ends, new hubs, alignment dead on, new stock sized tires, stock steering box, all suspension is as tight as I can determine with a large pry bar.
Lots of wondering on road when driving, like chasing a snake. Very little play in steering wheel. (Been adjusted). There’s probably 1/8-1/4 vertical play in output shaft of steering box.(is this normal?).
Wandering when going straight or only when moving the steering wheel?
With that much mileage I would replace the control arm bushings. If the steering rack has bushings (it should), I would replace those, too. Movement at the rear of the truck can make the front end feel unstable.
I recently had a Honda CR-V with 274,000 in my garage. The owner said the vehicle didn't feel stable at highway speeds buy felt ok on local small-town roads. The dealer had already replaced lower ball joints, tie rod ends and four new struts but the customer wasn't satisfied. I ended up replacing all three bushings in the lower control arm as well as the two bushings in the rear trailing arms and that was the fix it needed. The bushings weren't cracked and visibly looked ok but the rubber was so weak I could make the trailing arm move laterally with one hand.
Wandering when going straight or only when moving the steering wheel?
With that much mileage I would replace the control arm bushings. If the steering rack has bushings (it should), I would replace those, too. Movement at the rear of the truck can make the front end feel unstable.
-- Dave
Dave...it's a 2000...it's leaf sprung. The steering gear, not a rack, is bolted directly to the frame....ain't no rubber anywhere in the gear mounting.
40 inch tires? What purpose are you trying to accomplish? I went that way back in the 90's. Big axels, big tires, big motor. In my opinion now I ruined a really good truck. 3 mpg, rode like a tank and took a football field to stop at freeway speeds. It took $$$$ to get it where it was no fun to drive, Looked super cool. I know this is a Ford site but I'm trying to make a point that some things don't need to be done. I sold it not long after , all that's left are these pics and less money.
OP have you taken a look the u-joints in the axle shafts? It sounds like the u-joint may be binding causing weird handling issues. Has the trackbar bushing been replaced?
Last edited by DesertSmoker; May 8, 2020 at 03:18 PM.
Reason: added info
OP have you taken a look the u-joints in the axle shafts? It sounds like the u-joint may be binding causing weird handling issues. Has the trackbar bushing been replaced?
I believe I replaced the track bar bushings a year or so ago with poly bushings... I for sure did on the sway bars and connectors
Sorry guys,, posted in two different places in order to get some quick responses. Thank you for yours. Please look at the 2000 7.3 PSD Forum,, that’s where I’ve answered the majority of the above questions .... thanks again
