Tie Rod causing "Floating" Motion?
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New User
Joined: May 2004
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Tie Rod causing "Floating" Motion?
I have a 1990 4x4 Ford Lariat 250 that is wondering all over the road regardless of what speed I am driving. The truck feels as if it is "floating" when it moves over left or right of the road. The steering wheel can be very steady and the truck will move over on its own. The tires are new with proper air amounts, the lug nuts are tight, and there is no shock damper on this truck. I took the truck in for an alignment today and the mechanic could not set it to either "toe in or toe out" correctly (one of those two), due to the longest tie rod having some problem. The mechanic mentioned this was a common Ford part to wear. I was watching the longest tie rod as the steering wheel was turned from side to side, and everytime when the wheel was turned to the left at which point the tires were straight forward, the rod would rotate back about 1/2 inch. Would that be enough to cause the truck to sway or "float". To give a better example, its all I can do to keep the truck straight, and its not play in the wheel.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
Yes, if the tie rod end is loose your steering will feel sloppy and the truck will wander. Also look for other worn out parts like ball joints, radius arm bushings (both ends), TTB axle pivot bushings, and steering box, as all of these can cause wandering when worn out. If you have large tires, a steering stabilizer shock will help with bump steer and following ruts in the road, provided the rest of your steering and suspension are tight.
