I recently replaced my Ball Joints. The steering is much tighter but it seems to drift. I did notice that it is tighter when turning right and a little looser turning left. The thing tht bothers me is the drifting on the road. I had an alignment the first day after I did the ball joints and they didnt say anything was wrong with the tie rods. I was thinking about trying the gear box adjustment but the steering is so tight turning to the right that I dont want to chance it. Maybe I was just so use to the sloppy steering that its a little weird to me?


Any help in figuring out the problem is greatly appreciated.


2001 F250 Stock

 

Make sure your front hubs are unlocking.
did you change your axle u-joints?
don't mess with the steering box adj.

hope you didn't beat the ball joints in with a hammer,easy way to make sure they will faill sooner than you think.
Rich

 

When you did the ball joints did you check for how the knuckle would turn in both directions. How were the axle shaft u-joints? Any amount of stiffness or binding in either direction? As to the other comment on about how you installed the new ball joints, did you press them in or hammer them in? Whose ball joints, McQuay-Norris or Moog? Did you torque everything to spec? And this may sound like a silly question but are you sure the new BJs took grease OK assuming you replaced the oldd ones with ones that have the grease fitting?

John

 

The new BJ are Moog's All are greased. Ball joints where installed using a press. U joints where checked by ford dealer when they installed outer axle seals. No binding or stiffness. I drove it today and it seems better. I think that the steering tightend up so much I was over steering. Ive owned a 89 ranger with the V6 Bosh engine 4wd and a 1997 F-150. Then moved up to the Big Boy. Its a hole differnt animal. I was just wondering if the tie rods would cause a little drift in the front end?

 

Before you mess with the steering gear make sure that you are sure there isn't any wear in the leaf spring bushings. Also, does this truck have a steering damper connected to the drag link? If so has it been replaced or is it the original? Worn tie rod ends will cause play in the steering which will cause wander. Also, tightness turning right isn't going to get better by tightening the steering gear, if anything it might cause it to get worse. Are you the original owner and if not do you know if anybody adjusted the steering gear to possibly compensate for bad ball joints or worn front end parts which is fairly common? How does the wheel return out of a curve on the highway and after making right or left hand turns? If return is poor then I would say the chances are good that the steering gear is adjusted too tight. Sorry for all the questions but just trying to narrow some things down a little.

John

 

sound's like frozen u-joint's to me. Don't ask me how I know.

 

don't forget the wheel bearing hub also,if they are the orignal ones and you just changed ball joints they are problably shot ,they will cause drifting or a looseness feel on the road.

Rich

 

I had someone drive it today and they said they think its the shocks. ??????

John
I have a stabalizer on the front which is stock I believe. I bought the truck with 20,000 miles on it and I knew who owned it. The only thing he did was the services in the service manuel...ie change oil, replace airfilter and lube chassise. I figured as much with the gear box adjustment. How ever as Rich above asked I did not change the the wheel bearing hub. The steering returns fine out of turns. Its almost like its too tight and easy to over correct. How ever when entering and exiting a curve there is alot of sway. Thats why I think maybe shocks? When turning Left you dont have to turn the wheel much for it to turn when up to speed.
Hope this helps explain it a little more.

Thanks
Mike

 

Rich
These are the needle bearings in the hub assembaly you are talking about correct?

 

Well here is what I found the front driver side shock Blown out completly the passenger side just a little better. Changed them out and the problem is gone. I will change out the rear shocks next week when I get some time then it should ride like new.

Thanks all, people like you make this a great place for newbie's to get info.

Thanks
Mike