Steering issues (Front end)

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Aug 6, 2022 | 08:13 PM

#16

Brooklynh87

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Joined: Dec 2021

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From: NY

Last time I had the truck jacked up I tried rocking the front tires and thankfully there was no play. That's a job I'm not looking forward to doing lol

Aug 6, 2022 | 09:06 PM

#17

kbeefy

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From: Eastern Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by aawlberninf350

Get a helper to turn the steering wheel back and forth. With truck not running, all 4 (or 6) tires on the ground. Have them saw back and forth on the wheel for a few minutes while you lay under the front and observe all the joints. Look for relative motion between each connection.

Could also be ball joints. With wheels up yank firmly with hands at 3 and 9, and again at 12 and 6. With heavy wheels you may need a bowl of Wheaties first.

On powerstrokes I check for steering linkage play with the engine running. These things are damn heavy.

For ball joints I use a pry bar to lift the tire straight up while watching the ball joints for movement.

Aug 8, 2022 | 06:13 PM

#18

Brooklynh87

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From: NY

So I went to the shop today and surprisingly my front end is good. He checked everything including the wheels with a bar. He did say I needs an alignment since the wheels were toed in a bit so he straightened them out.

I was also told a little bit of play in the steering wheel is normal for an older vehicle. I felt it was a little bit more than normal but how's your guys steering wheel play?

Aug 8, 2022 | 11:17 PM

#19

udsuth78

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From: Ponca City, OK

Gotta love those relative terms, in all honesty yes an older vehicle is more likely to have some slack in the steering. That does not make it "normal", it's not like Ford or any other manufacturer designed it that way(well maybe Chrysler/Dodge). If everything is good then when the wheel is turned both tires turn with it. There should no perceivable lag or dead spots. Try rolling down the drivers window and reach in to work the wheel while watching the drivers tire. Truck doesn't need to be running just key to the first click, if you notice any hesitation while switching direction of the wheel then something is loose that shouldn't be.

Aug 15, 2022 | 06:26 PM

#20

Brooklynh87

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From: NY

Sorry its been a while since ive gotten back. I was finally back to messing around with it today and notice a bit of play on my steering shaft from the wheel to the gear box on those universal joints. I might as well change the whole thing, im sure i can manage it myself but was unable to find a clear video on youtube but seems self explanitory. Would someone have a link to the correct shaft i'll need? I see a few different ones pop up. I have a 2003 F350. Thanks!

Aug 15, 2022 | 06:32 PM

#21

Sous

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From: Lake Hartwell, GA

There are OEM replacements available, but if I were in your shoes I would go the route @ESwift did and get a Borgeson to go with that new steering box.

Aug 15, 2022 | 06:42 PM

#22

Brooklynh87

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From: NY

https://www.borgeson.com/99-07-Ford-...ls-tab-fitment

Is this the correct one youre talking about? And is it that much better for tripple the price of OEM? If so im all for it just suprised how much a shaft is lol

Aug 15, 2022 | 06:45 PM

#23

Sous

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Joined: May 2014

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From: Lake Hartwell, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklynh87

https://www.borgeson.com/99-07-Ford-...ls-tab-fitment

Is this the full shaft from gear box to steering wheel? And is it that much better for tripple the price of OEM? If so im all for it just suprised how much a shaft is lol

I am and was surprised at the price as well. Although, I tagged Eric as I know he bought and installed one, so I will let him speak to the quality and price difference.