Steering
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Steering
I have a steering question.
To drive in a straight line my steering wheel is turned to the left which makes my horn area somewhat ****-eyed to the left and I have free turn in the wheel where I can turn the steering wheel some before the truck begins to turn (the wheels start to turn).
What is most likely at fault?
Thanks
RC
To drive in a straight line my steering wheel is turned to the left which makes my horn area somewhat ****-eyed to the left and I have free turn in the wheel where I can turn the steering wheel some before the truck begins to turn (the wheels start to turn).
What is most likely at fault?
Thanks
RC
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
The play is probably in the steering gear box and might need to be adjusted. To straighten the wheel, adjustments in the drag link will fix that, but I would have that done while aligning the front end.
Austin
Austin
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by AustinS
The play is probably in the steering gear box and might need to be adjusted. To straighten the wheel, adjustments in the drag link will fix that, but I would have that done while aligning the front end.
Austin
Austin
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
Not at all if the gearbox is okay. Usually the steering gear is the last thing you want to mess with, assuming the rest of your steering linkage is tight.
See:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...+steering+gear
While someone is turning steering back and forth you can lie under the front and watch for any looseness in steering linkage.
I've replaced my drag link twice in 70K miles. Once because the boot got ripped and water and dirt contaminated the ball and wore it out sooner.
The drag link is commonly referred to as an inner tie rod end driver's side at pitman arm. Another way to check it is with a jumbo set of channel lock pliers. See photo for placement:
Squeeze the pliers and see how much movement the ball stud has in and out. If more than 1/8" or so, it's well worn. This works on all tie rod ends on the Super Duty.
Hope that helps,
Austin
See:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...+steering+gear
While someone is turning steering back and forth you can lie under the front and watch for any looseness in steering linkage.
I've replaced my drag link twice in 70K miles. Once because the boot got ripped and water and dirt contaminated the ball and wore it out sooner.
The drag link is commonly referred to as an inner tie rod end driver's side at pitman arm. Another way to check it is with a jumbo set of channel lock pliers. See photo for placement:
Squeeze the pliers and see how much movement the ball stud has in and out. If more than 1/8" or so, it's well worn. This works on all tie rod ends on the Super Duty.
Hope that helps,
Austin
Last edited by AustinS; Apr 3, 2007 at 02:44 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
austin s- when you sqeeze the tie rod and it moves there should only be 1/8" movement?
my tie rod at the pitman arm and the drag link seem to move alot on my truck. i can grab it with one hand and twist it back and forth more than 1/8". is this normal?
my tie rod at the pitman arm and the drag link seem to move alot on my truck. i can grab it with one hand and twist it back and forth more than 1/8". is this normal?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
I'd say it is normal for a worn out link. You are definately due for some new joints if you can wobble them with one hand. As pictured most time you need leverage to move it around to see.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
Okay, I have a new tie rod end, and 4 new ball joints courtesy of the dealership where I bought the truck. Now my steering wheel is of about 15 degrees to the left. I don't want to take it back to them, how do I re-align it and not mess with the new front end alignment that they just did?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: plainview tx
Originally Posted by HKusp
Okay, I have a new tie rod end, and 4 new ball joints courtesy of the dealership where I bought the truck. Now my steering wheel is of about 15 degrees to the left. I don't want to take it back to them, how do I re-align it and not mess with the new front end alignment that they just did?
years back i ran a hunter frt. end alignment machine. the first thing i would do is called setting the steer head, which is make sure the steering wheel is straight.
then you can do the alignment when you are done the steering wheel is straight. things may be diffrent now, but i would'nt think so. i would call the dealership and tell them. i bet they can straighten the steer head (steering wheel). by the way the worst alignments i have ever got were from the dealership. it always took two or three trips back before they got it right. but this is just my opinion your mileage may vary.
