Steering Problem
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Steering Problem
Well last night I was in a wreck. I was driving and my phone rang. I bent over to see who was calling and my girlfriend screamed look out. There was trees ahead of us and it was a 15 MPH turn. I was doing 45, and ended up jerking the wheel to the left. We slid sideways and tipped a little but ended up straightning out and hitting head on into a ditch. So I got towed home, and reset my fuel pump and my engine started up fine. I blew out a tire and bent a rim(only noticeable damage I saw) so I went up to a local tire shop and got a tire and a rim. Put them on. I figured great it will work fine now. I put it into drive and noticed my steering was totally screwed up. My left tire wont turn, while my right tire will, and when I turn my steering wheel to the left I can turn the wheel all the way without trying, but the right has resistance.(keep in mind my left wheel wont turn either direction). Does anyone know what the problem is, and if so can you provide me with a link to parts to fix it?
Thanks
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 506
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Have to look at it to tell.
First guess is drag link binding. Parts stores call them "inner tie rids". Could be anything though and you will just have to look at it while the wheel is turned slowly to watch for binding. Should be fairly easy to spot, Drag link or tie rod end most likely.
If radius arm was bent, I guess theoretically the wheel could have rotated slightly making a turn an attempt to move the wheel into the grond instead of side to side but You should have noticed a Radius arm bent that much or broken.
If it is a drag link or tie rod end, they are cheap. I just changed all of mine due to slop. The outer tie rod ends were $22 each, the drag links were $50 and $45. The Ball joints on these trucks are all but bullet proof so I doubt you messed them up but I guess anything is possible.
Good Luck,
Lee
First guess is drag link binding. Parts stores call them "inner tie rids". Could be anything though and you will just have to look at it while the wheel is turned slowly to watch for binding. Should be fairly easy to spot, Drag link or tie rod end most likely.
If radius arm was bent, I guess theoretically the wheel could have rotated slightly making a turn an attempt to move the wheel into the grond instead of side to side but You should have noticed a Radius arm bent that much or broken.
If it is a drag link or tie rod end, they are cheap. I just changed all of mine due to slop. The outer tie rod ends were $22 each, the drag links were $50 and $45. The Ball joints on these trucks are all but bullet proof so I doubt you messed them up but I guess anything is possible.
Good Luck,
Lee
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Well I went out there this morning by myself since no one else is awake. When I crank my wheel all the way to the left the Left tire can't go any farther than just straight, and the right one wont move at all. Does it sound like a steering box problem?
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 506
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
You have to look at each item to tell.
Look at the pitman arm when you turn. Does it move? If it does, your gear box is OK. If not, is the gear turning but the pitman stripped out? Are the joints from teh steering shaft broken or binding so that the gear box isn't even getting the signal?
If the arm is moving, what are the drag links doing? Is each one moving? If not, where is the break or binding point? If yes, are the tie rod ends moving? Are they even attached?
You can't guess at this, you just have to watch each component and see what each one is doing.
Lee
Look at the pitman arm when you turn. Does it move? If it does, your gear box is OK. If not, is the gear turning but the pitman stripped out? Are the joints from teh steering shaft broken or binding so that the gear box isn't even getting the signal?
If the arm is moving, what are the drag links doing? Is each one moving? If not, where is the break or binding point? If yes, are the tie rod ends moving? Are they even attached?
You can't guess at this, you just have to watch each component and see what each one is doing.
Lee
