I'll agree with JWA that if you had a shop preform the said work, you really should have them re-check it.

Movement of the tire, top-to-bottom could be a loose wheel bearing, or a bad ball joint.

Play in the steering wheel, side to side, or a slow response to the steering could be a bad steering box, worn out and sloppy.

I don't understand what you mean that the steering linkage is moving 1" up and down?? The linkage will "Arc" in travel from turning full right to full left.

If a shop did the work, they should have noticed any problem with the tie-rod ends, and even the steering box if that might be a problem.

The vibration your experiencing, could be the tires you installed.
Did you install E load range tires on this van?? It is a E350, and should be E's *10 ply tires*

 

no one is scolding anyone

 

Well said! However I don't agree with some of the other elder posters in the assumption that just because it is an old thread and the OP didn't revisit it with a fix, doesn't mean we shouldn't post possible fixes in the event that someone else is having the same problems and running around in cirlces trying to fix it since it is assumed that we can't post to a resurrected thread when someone was only trying to find a fix to their problem.

As far as the original OP's problem, I would suggest taking a look at the drag link and steering box. There is an adjustment post on mine (1986) so it is possible that the OP's '88 could be similar (if I remember his year right). I'm not saying that it couldn't be the king pins but they'd both have to be bad IMHO for it to act as he's saying. It's also very possible that the the toe-in is set too far, since excessive toe-in will have the effect of grabbing for a turn. Hopefully I explained that well enough for any new mechanics to understand that

 

10 years later? The guy had a total of 3 posts , the last one in 2005. I'm guessing he doesn't even own it anymore or had it fixed . We'll never know......

 

Its not lost on us "elder posters" those saying it is or should be okay resurrecting old or defacto abandoned threads are those newest to this sub-forum. Adding onto a thread that wasn't solved or updated by the OP or anyone else makes little to no sense.

While some of us do complain of new users not utilizing the search function before seeking help (for what we consider simple or oft-discussed fixes) its just not helpful dragging something back to life that died because it was of little interest.

Similar problems that are not nearly identical to an old post might not receive their due attention and input which is why this is discussed or mentioned from time to time. Someone's seniority (or lack thereof) here doesn't indicate anything past their own interest in what's offered and/or discussed in this (or any other)) sub-forum on FTE.

As already said most of us sincerely want to help and sometimes that includes gently directing the newer members how to best have their situations addressed.

Derailing an already dead thread with more conversation about it being dead further obscures and buries the added-on question---is that the intention? We can't hope for good answers if we don't present our questions or situations in a way they'll receive maximum attention.

If one of your problems goes unaddressed perhaps its how it was originally put up for discussion?

 

I agree, is there a way to lock the thread to keep it from being brought up again then? That way we can address someone's problem more directly if they repost their issue.

 

Yes there is. it's up to the site admin to activate that option.
Also , locking it does not delete the thread. it archives it so it will come up on a search.
Most forums do this.
Zombie Threads are ones like this that have come back to life after an extended period of inactivity. In this case the OP made 3 posts and disappeared never to return. Then you have a guy offer a fix for a 10 year old problem that either has been resolved or doesn't matter.
My .02 ..................