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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
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New Problem

Hello guys -
Well I just put new tires on my truck and decided to have the front end aligned before hand. Turns out the ball joints and a few other pivot points/bars needed replacing so I had all that done.

Now, my truck has a lot of play in the wheel and wanders all over the place. Any ideas? I looked at the other forums and see others have similar complaints, but most are 4 x 4 and don't have any idea what is causing this. I liked the way it drove with the bad stuff......

Thanks,
Todd
 
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Old Feb 1, 2007 | 09:50 PM
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I'd guess that either fixing the slop in the front end allowed you to unmask the slop in the steering gear, or it needs an alignment. Assuming your shop did remember to align it I'd adjust the steering gear.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 02:15 AM
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COULD IT BE thats its so tight that now your overcorrecting all the time which makes it feel sloppy, I've seen people go through this before..........
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 08:22 AM
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I think the front end is tight. However, I can turn the wheel an inch or two beforre I get any connection to the front end.
Thanks,
Todd
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 09:04 AM
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Look under the truck at your drag link, pitman arm, ball joints, tie rods, etc. while someone turns the wheel oneway and then the the other way until the wheels start to move. If you don't see any play, then all you need to do is adjust youor steering gear as cookie said. If you do see play, take it back to the alignment shop, because they did not do something right.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 09:47 AM
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All of the above, but if the wandering continues, also be patient with new tires. They can go back and forth "over center" a little bit for the first few thousand miles until the rubber smooths out slightly.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 11:40 AM
  #7  
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Excellent ideas. I'll take a look later today when I have some help available.
Thanks,
Todd
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 11:41 AM
  #8  
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Is adjusting the steering box as simple as loosening the jam nut and tightening the adjustment screw or should I tighten and back off a bit?
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 12:04 PM
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Yes, loosen the jam nut, turn 1/4 turn in, test drive, repeat if needed. Do not turn it to far in or every time you move your hand you'll be in the other lane or the ditch.
 
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 12:09 PM
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Great - thank you. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
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