hey guys, our 97 explorer sport has developed a real case of sloppy steering...actually not that the truck ever steered like a nascar to begin with, however it's gotten much worse. Do you guys with more experience know of something other than perhaps ball joints and tie rod ends? it probably could use new all new bushings I'm sure as well however I just wanted to see what you guys thought. Thanks!

 

Just put lower ball joints and tie rod ends in my 97 W/145K. Worn but not really bad. It still has some wander issues. Movement is often very hard to see. Any tire issues? My insides wear and I havent found the smoling gun yet. Tires bow out and upper alignment bolts seem to be maxed out.

 

I recently put shocks in all the way around and got an alignment however it didn't stay very long. The tires are wearing on the outsides. most of the issue really is play in the wheel and there is a wander issue. perhaps a urethane steering coupler might make a differance?

 

Just had Ford diagnose mine. They say lower ball joints. Apparently this is a common problem. Mine has 75K, but he says its not uncommon to have them go bad at 45K and sometimes even under warranty! Sounds like Ford could have done a little better job in the design.

 

My X was pulling to the right, even after an alignment. New radius arm bushings corrected the problem.