Steering question
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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Steering question
79 F250 4x4 400. I have replaced the axle u-joints, tie rod end and ball joints, found wear in all of 'em. Now my problem is that when I turn, I seem to have to push the steering wheel back to center (not hard to turn, just no return on its own). Never really noticed this before, but with all the new components, it doesn't seem right. I disconnected one end of the steering stabilizer and no change. It seems to be working fine, smooth through the full range. Jacked up, the wheels turn lock to lock smoothly. Power steering seems fine, too. I backed off the steering gear adjusting nut some, just to see if it was tight. No change. Both ends of the center link from the pitman arm seem to have no slack or tightness. Any tests I can perform to narrow it down? Could alignment cause this? I have yet to have it aligned after all the work, because if something else is wrong, I don't want to have to fork over more dough for another alignment.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: denver
Sounds like everything is just really tight. When you installed the ball joints, was there any binding? if not, depending on how bad it is, you may just need to drive it awhile untill everything gets "broken in". Just do a quick check to make sure everything looks OK.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
My first guess would be that when you replaced the tie rod ends you changed the length on your tie rod and either have slight toe in or slight toe out. Before you do anything else I'd run it by an alignment shop and have them check this. It only takes a few minutes and should be very inexpensive but if the tie rod isn't adjusted right you'll have steering issues and excessive tire wear.
Does this truck by any chance have a lift on it? If the caster angle is not correct the steering will not re-center on its own.
Does this truck by any chance have a lift on it? If the caster angle is not correct the steering will not re-center on its own.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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It does not have a lift, just a helper leaf front and rear which maybe added 2" to the height. Needed it to compensate for the weight of the plow. Never been aligned since I've had it, so maybe I'll have it checked anyway before I start doing much else. Is the caster and camber adjustable, or just toe-in? I hardly ever run on the highway, so tire wear won't be noticable for a long time. Tires are only a year old and show no wear yet.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2005
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From: Spokane, WA
Camber and caster may be adjustable with offset upper ball joint bushings depending on the front axle your truck has. If it has the threaded bushings where the upper ball joint goes through the axle it should be adjustable. However, unless the axle is bent, camber or caster adjustments will most likely not be needed. Toe however, is critical. One thing to check is to make sure the upper ball joint nuts were not overtorqued. This can cause a memory steer condition.
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Steering wheel return is definitely a caster (front to rear tilt of axle) and camber (top to bottom tilt) problem, and can be affected by toe in/out. A good toe in/out check and adjustment should give you the answer.