truck walking side-side while turning

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Feb 7, 2007 | 10:06 PM

timothy47129

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From: southern Indiana

truck walking side-side while turning

Is there a fix for my 78 f150 shortbed 4wd steering so It doesnt walk when I turn.By walk I mean when it turn hard it kinda shimmys or moves side to side.It feels like it moves up and down and left to right while turning one way.My truck does have 33/12.50/15s on it.Which I know has something to do with it.My Lug nuts are tight,My wheel bearings are properly packed and adjusted.My upper ball joints do have some play in them but the play is within specs.It does it in 2wd and 4wd.could it be the small amount of play in the ball joints?Also my truck isnt lifted except 2" in the rear.It might have 2" lift springs in the front i dont know.I did notice when turning the wheels lean outward quite a bit.Is it becuse the big tires make it worse than the stock size?

sorry so many questions im just stumped, I just hope someone knows what im trying to explain.

thanks,
Tim

Feb 7, 2007 | 11:12 PM

Mil1ion

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do you actually mean scuffing ...like the tire is trying to fold over itself ?

Feb 8, 2007 | 12:13 AM

FordTrucksKickGM

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From: Northeast Nebraska

Check your track bar bushings.

Feb 8, 2007 | 12:43 AM

Torque1st

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That shifting/crawling motion is the natural result of the difference in path length traveled by the tires while turning. The same thing would happen if the differential ratio front-to-back was way off. An open differential on both front and rear would help but then you don't have 4 wheel drive anymore.

Feb 8, 2007 | 05:52 AM

SoArkSI

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do you have a spool in the rear axle??? mine does and it makes all kinda hell when i turn in it.

Feb 8, 2007 | 10:03 AM

ezryder13

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this might sound stupid but i had a cougar that did this exact same thing and like 3 to 4 days later the rearend went out!! really. it was a broken gear.. are you getting any popping noises once in a while?

Feb 8, 2007 | 09:15 PM

timothy47129

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From: southern Indiana

My track bar and radius arm bushings are new.I guess it would be comparable to the tire trying to fold over its self.It doesnt have a spool and its done this for 2 years when it has 12.50s on it.I did have 32/11.50/15s on it and it wasnt as bad.Im just concerned about $300 worth of new 33s wearing on the outside edge.I think whats happening is normal and not noticable with stock tire but is very noticable with a 33/12.50 tire.Is there any fix for this?Anyone else running 33/12.50 have the same problem?

Thanks,
Tim