I've got a 2000 F-350 7.3L 4X4 with 265,000 miles. We've done some moderate off-roading in it and over the last few months I've noticed that the steering has gotten kind of sloppy. The truck wants to wander which requires me to constantly "drive" it to keep it straight. I asked a guy recently about it and he suggested changing out the steering box and the ball joints. I went to another mechanic and they want to do all that as well as to replace the tie rod ends and the steering linkages. I wonder if redoing the whole front end steering should be done (to the tune of $2800) or if changing out the steering box and the ball joints alone will do the trick. What say you?

I'm planning on another road trip out west this summer and I wnat to be reasonable certain that I won't get stuck somewhere inopportune.

 

You should be able to visually inspect the ball joints, tie rod ends and drag link ends for play. Have someone get in the truck and turn the steering wheel back and forth and watch. You can also see if there is too much free play in the box if the steering shaft is moving but the pitman arm is not. There is an adjustment you can make to tighten this if that is the problem.

Is there a lift on the truck? Have you got it aligned and do you have a caster measurement? There is more discussions over on the Expedition forum, but guys tend to add caster shims up front to increase the caster angle.

For what it's worth, I replaced my steering box fairly easily and it really tightened up the steering and gave it a more positive feel.

 

If the steering linkage is old, makes no sense to not replace it along with the gearbox. Let the tech that inspected them tell you if they need to be done. If they're in perfect shape, new parts won't give you any benefit except being new. Only you can make that decision as we don't know what kind of budget you're working with.

-- Dave