Steering binding + outer tie rod issues.
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
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Steering binding + outer tie rod issues.
I'm pretty new to heavy duty trucks. I got this truck from my father in law. Just gonna put that out there.
Today my 2001 350k mile work horse of a 7.3 decided it wanted to do something different and the clamp holding the drivers outer tie rod onto the steering rack(?) loosened itself and fell off while I was driving and I obviously lost all steering. I jacked the front end up, put the clamp back on, tightened, torqued. All is well. But now I suddenly have a binding issue. Seems like at any speed, when turning, I'll hit a wall and I have to push through it to get the full radius of my turn. I'm not sure if it's directly related or not but the truck has had some slop in the steering for a while.
Any ideas what that could be?
Today my 2001 350k mile work horse of a 7.3 decided it wanted to do something different and the clamp holding the drivers outer tie rod onto the steering rack(?) loosened itself and fell off while I was driving and I obviously lost all steering. I jacked the front end up, put the clamp back on, tightened, torqued. All is well. But now I suddenly have a binding issue. Seems like at any speed, when turning, I'll hit a wall and I have to push through it to get the full radius of my turn. I'm not sure if it's directly related or not but the truck has had some slop in the steering for a while.
Any ideas what that could be?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 2,195
I'm pretty new to heavy duty trucks. I got this truck from my father in law. Just gonna put that out there.
Today my 2001 350k mile work horse of a 7.3 decided it wanted to do something different and the clamp holding the drivers outer tie rod onto the steering rack(?) loosened itself and fell off while I was driving and I obviously lost all steering. I jacked the front end up, put the clamp back on, tightened, torqued. All is well. But now I suddenly have a binding issue. Seems like at any speed, when turning, I'll hit a wall and I have to push through it to get the full radius of my turn. I'm not sure if it's directly related or not but the truck has had some slop in the steering for a while.
Any ideas what that could be?
Today my 2001 350k mile work horse of a 7.3 decided it wanted to do something different and the clamp holding the drivers outer tie rod onto the steering rack(?) loosened itself and fell off while I was driving and I obviously lost all steering. I jacked the front end up, put the clamp back on, tightened, torqued. All is well. But now I suddenly have a binding issue. Seems like at any speed, when turning, I'll hit a wall and I have to push through it to get the full radius of my turn. I'm not sure if it's directly related or not but the truck has had some slop in the steering for a while.
Any ideas what that could be?
if confirmed.....
replacing the pitman arm....would be a big PIA. needing a special puller. and you would likely damage the steering box during reinstall.
what you dont know, if the pitman arm is rubbing...until you remove both and inspect...is if either or are cracked.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,920
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And wouldn't it be more likely to bend a sector shaft than the pitman arm?
Still, I think before looking for zebras I'd chase horses. The front axle u-joint seems more plausible if 4wd and I'd look there first.
There's also no mention of if OP tried for a tape measure toe setting? If he just threaded it all the way on I'm not sure if this could cause his symptoms.....seems to me if toe is WAY out you'd reach a point where Ackerman almost fights each other left to right?? Maybe?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 2,195
How's that, exactly?
And wouldn't it be more likely to bend a sector shaft than the pitman arm?
Still, I think before looking for zebras I'd chase horses. The front axle u-joint seems more plausible if 4wd and I'd look there first.
There's also no mention of if OP tried for a tape measure toe setting? If he just threaded it all the way on I'm not sure if this could cause his symptoms.....seems to me if toe is WAY out you'd reach a point where Ackerman almost fights each other left to right?? Maybe?
And wouldn't it be more likely to bend a sector shaft than the pitman arm?
Still, I think before looking for zebras I'd chase horses. The front axle u-joint seems more plausible if 4wd and I'd look there first.
There's also no mention of if OP tried for a tape measure toe setting? If he just threaded it all the way on I'm not sure if this could cause his symptoms.....seems to me if toe is WAY out you'd reach a point where Ackerman almost fights each other left to right?? Maybe?
it’s very easy to see if there are wear marks on the track bar mount in the area where the pitman arm would contact.
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