worn steering?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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worn steering?
OK, so after replacing upper and lower ball joints, having the wheels aligned, rotated and balanced, my truck's steering still sucks. It feels loose and has that "wandering" feel to it. Does anyone know of any other $200 parts I can replace to make it drive right???
My worn steering is wearing me down.
Thanks for any input
My worn steering is wearing me down.
Thanks for any input
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Las Vegas, NV
need help with loose bearing and tie rod diagnosis
for front whl brgs (assuming 2wd)
jack wheel off ground. grab tire at 1200 and 600 and try to rock tire back and forth. If you have more than the slightest movement and rocking sound, your bearings could be loose or dry. there are probably better threads on this test.
for inner tie rods, assuming you don't think its the wheel bearings
do you hear knocking or grinding type sound when you turn the wheel? do you hear or feel a clunk when accelerating or decelerating when going straight as well as turning? do you not get immediate tire movement from steering wheel input when turning? If so, you may need further evaluation of inner tie rods, which is better done with the outer tie rods unattached and manually moved back and forth into the rack. (much lateral movement not good) It would have been nice to do this test when you redid the lower ball joints. again. there may be better threads than this. there was a TSB for 96 inner tie rods, which could provide some insight. Since Ford applied this fix to my 98, I'm assuming it could affect 97's too.
jack wheel off ground. grab tire at 1200 and 600 and try to rock tire back and forth. If you have more than the slightest movement and rocking sound, your bearings could be loose or dry. there are probably better threads on this test.
for inner tie rods, assuming you don't think its the wheel bearings
do you hear knocking or grinding type sound when you turn the wheel? do you hear or feel a clunk when accelerating or decelerating when going straight as well as turning? do you not get immediate tire movement from steering wheel input when turning? If so, you may need further evaluation of inner tie rods, which is better done with the outer tie rods unattached and manually moved back and forth into the rack. (much lateral movement not good) It would have been nice to do this test when you redid the lower ball joints. again. there may be better threads than this. there was a TSB for 96 inner tie rods, which could provide some insight. Since Ford applied this fix to my 98, I'm assuming it could affect 97's too.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Las Vegas, NV
tires could also be a factor
what is the condition of your tires? tires that are delaminating or experiencing tread separation can also give a wandering feel. I had a set of dunlop gt qualifiers do this on my 89 ranger. the tire shop was able to show me how the tires were beginning to come apart. New tires solved the problem.
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Junior User
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First of all thanks for quick and detailed response. To answer your questions:
I don't get any noise or grind from steering, there's almost no play in the streering wheel. The tie rods weren't tested while replacing the lower ball joints because I had a shop do it. I did the upper ones.
Also the truck is 4wd, does it make difference in testing the bearings?
The tires are shot on the edges due to ball joints being bad and alignment being off. I definately have to get a new set before the winter.
I don't get any noise or grind from steering, there's almost no play in the streering wheel. The tie rods weren't tested while replacing the lower ball joints because I had a shop do it. I did the upper ones.
Also the truck is 4wd, does it make difference in testing the bearings?
The tires are shot on the edges due to ball joints being bad and alignment being off. I definately have to get a new set before the winter.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2004
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I would put the front end on jack stands, have someone turn the wheel while you look for obvious play. Also try it with one tire on the ground...you try to twist other tire...look for play.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 148
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From: CANADA
you should pull the tires and then be able to pull the hubs off with little trouble. Once you get the hubs off you will see the main nut and the bearings. You wiggle the tire to see how much play you have, and either tighten it up or replace it all. My 91 loosens up at least once a year due to the poor design of my particular set up. The lousy tire and bad allignment can have some effect on your problem what size of tires you runnin anyways. a larger tire will cause this problem too. You said you took it to a garage , why didnt they find the other problems that you are having. A rack ususally only has outer tie rod ends because the inner ends mean your rack is screwed and needs replacing.
good luck on your search for the problem
good luck on your search for the problem
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Junior User
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LOTR-HAMMER - the garage I had my lower ball joints replaced didn't even tell me the upper ones were severely bad, that's why they will never touch my car again. Anyway, 95 explorer has a non-adjustable bearings, so once they're done they're done. Also the tie rods are two piece design and you can replace the inner one without replacing the rack. Worn tires could be a culprit here. I'm going to do some tugging and pulling this weekend and see what I come up with.
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Junior User
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Hi. Just did some research and I'm getting two different answers. Haynes manual claims that it is possible to replace front bearing without replacing the hub (easy), then the Ford Repair CD says they're one part, non-servicable (difficult + a lot of funny tools required) Has anyone here have acctualy have done it on a '95 4x4?? I'd hate to buy the bearings and start the job only to find out that the whole hub needs replacing.
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Go with Ford's manual. It's specific by year, whereas the Haynes Manual covers... 1991 to 2000, was it? Either way, the Haynes manual covers a broad range of years, and if they don't specifically say something is for a specific year, you can't always be sure which year they're talking about. Even if it is a 95 on the front.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Las Vegas, NV
is it the wheel bearings?
95exp--sounds like you're going down the path for the whl brgs yet I didn't think you were convinced they were the problem.
Could you borrow a few good condition tires on rims from others (spec size), swap out your set and test drive to see if you still have the same problem?
Could you borrow a few good condition tires on rims from others (spec size), swap out your set and test drive to see if you still have the same problem?
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98 xlt, I just closed that path... 
Both bearings have 0 play. What worries me is that driver's side steering seems to have more play that the other side (passenger's side has very little)
I'm going to wait until I get new tires, align it again then and check if the problem persists. If yes I'll know more or less where to go. Thank you for all the input. I may bring this thread up again in the fall, so beware!
By the way, what is considered "excessive play" in this case? My brilliant ford manual doesn't mention it
Thanks again
Both bearings have 0 play. What worries me is that driver's side steering seems to have more play that the other side (passenger's side has very little)
I'm going to wait until I get new tires, align it again then and check if the problem persists. If yes I'll know more or less where to go. Thank you for all the input. I may bring this thread up again in the fall, so beware!
By the way, what is considered "excessive play" in this case? My brilliant ford manual doesn't mention it
Thanks again
