Steering Question
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New User
Joined: Feb 2002
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Steering Question
I recently bought a 1978 Ford F-150 that has severe steering travel. It's really bad on a bumpy road, and I haven't been able to drive the truck over 40 MPH in fear of loosing control.
It has a 6" suspension lift, and a 4" body lift, on 36 inch tires. A few things that I have noticed is that it has the factory pitman arm, and the radius arms are still located in the factory position.
Will buying the drop pitman arm, and dropping the radius arms fix my nightmare? Is there anything else that I should also take a look at to help fix my problem?
It has a 6" suspension lift, and a 4" body lift, on 36 inch tires. A few things that I have noticed is that it has the factory pitman arm, and the radius arms are still located in the factory position.
Will buying the drop pitman arm, and dropping the radius arms fix my nightmare? Is there anything else that I should also take a look at to help fix my problem?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 250
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Steering Question
IT sounds like worn out parts. with the motor off how much travel does your steering wheel have? If its more than a 1/4 turn may be steering gear box. Power steering shouldn't have much play at all. Jack up the front and check the play in the wheels and tie rod ends.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2
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Steering Question
I've got a little less than 1/4 free play with the engine off, but while driving, the truck travels quite a bit. On a smooth road it isn't near as bad, but once I hit a bump, who knows which way the thing will go. I will check the other parts as well though, thanks for the reply
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 39
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Steering Question
Check your traction bar mounts. The one on the axle is prone to going bad, more so with lifts. The steering box itself could need a rebuild, then there's the rag joint, and steering shaft, the column (could be lose itself, make sure the column is tightly mounted) tie rods. It's easiest to get someone to turn the wheel while you look and what's loose, or not turning. It could be one thing, or could be many. If you're going to replace any of the steering bars, I'd recommend Performance Unlimited. I used there traction bar, and it made a huge difference. The superlift bar I got with my lift was squishy with their bushings... not sure what exactly was so bad, but this one worked great. Read up on it here http://performanceunlimited.com/customproducts/testimonials.html Those tires you have could be out of balance or just no good all together. I had a set of 40" grown hawgs that absolutely blew on the road. Ridding now on 39.5 MT's and their 15X12 wheels. It's like night and day. Didn't even have to balance them, and the ride is that of a 33.
-bob-
-bob-
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 84
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From: indiana
Steering Question
Im not much on the 4wd`s but on my 76 f150 2wd the flex joint on the stearing collum went bad and it did the same thing just something more to look at.
Six strings and Ford trucks music to my ears.
Six strings and Ford trucks music to my ears.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Denver
Steering Question
i just bought a seriously lifted 77 and i have a lot of steering issues too. my steering arm doesn't come straight into that joint up in the driver's side corner or the engine bay. how do i fix that? do i need to? what's the name of the part that the four hoses go into inside the driver's side front wheelwell?