Steering
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Steering
Alright, I checked out a search first on this topic and after reading them all I still feel like I need to ask you guys my question before spending anymore money. I have had new ball joints put on, new tie rod ends, new steering shock, new BFG 35's, flushed P/S fluid, alinement.
Yet when I drive, my steering still wanders to the left then right in a quick motion, like it gets kind of stuck then jumps over to where I need the truck to go. It started happening about a month ago. The strange thing is, when I got my new BFG's and got an alinement the jerking seemed worse to the point it scared the hell out of me. Sometimes it just wabbles a little then wants to jump around.
Could it be the U-Joints? if so how does it affect the steering like this.
Thanks
I got a 2000 F-350 powerstroke 4X4 165,000 miles on it
Yet when I drive, my steering still wanders to the left then right in a quick motion, like it gets kind of stuck then jumps over to where I need the truck to go. It started happening about a month ago. The strange thing is, when I got my new BFG's and got an alinement the jerking seemed worse to the point it scared the hell out of me. Sometimes it just wabbles a little then wants to jump around.
Could it be the U-Joints? if so how does it affect the steering like this.
Thanks
I got a 2000 F-350 powerstroke 4X4 165,000 miles on it
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
Could be ball joints, drag link, tie rod ends, steering gearbox or just a simple front end alignment.
You need to check out the front end. If you're not sure how to, do some searches here on the components or take it to a qualified mechanic.
These Super Duties have a little looser steering than most trucks, but if it's tough to drive you should get it looked at.
Austin
You need to check out the front end. If you're not sure how to, do some searches here on the components or take it to a qualified mechanic.
These Super Duties have a little looser steering than most trucks, but if it's tough to drive you should get it looked at.
Austin
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
Had to take a call before I could finish posting.
The front wheel hub/bearing assembly could be an issue if you get a wobble feel. They are a non serviceable part and need to be replaced as a unit.
The only other thing would be to adjust the meshload on the steering gearbox. I actually had to replace mine at 35,000mi.
Keep us posted, and good luck
Austin
The front wheel hub/bearing assembly could be an issue if you get a wobble feel. They are a non serviceable part and need to be replaced as a unit.
The only other thing would be to adjust the meshload on the steering gearbox. I actually had to replace mine at 35,000mi.
Keep us posted, and good luck
Austin
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 851
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From: N. Georgia
Originally Posted by climbon
Alright, I checked out a search first on this topic and after reading them all I still feel like I need to ask you guys my question before spending anymore money. I have had new ball joints put on, new tie rod ends, new steering shock, new BFG 35's, flushed P/S fluid, alinement.
Yet when I drive, my steering still wanders to the left then right in a quick motion, like it gets kind of stuck then jumps over to where I need the truck to go. It started happening about a month ago. The strange thing is, when I got my new BFG's and got an alinement the jerking seemed worse to the point it scared the hell out of me. Sometimes it just wabbles a little then wants to jump around.
Could it be the U-Joints? if so how does it affect the steering like this.
Thanks
I got a 2000 F-350 powerstroke 4X4 165,000 miles on it
Yet when I drive, my steering still wanders to the left then right in a quick motion, like it gets kind of stuck then jumps over to where I need the truck to go. It started happening about a month ago. The strange thing is, when I got my new BFG's and got an alinement the jerking seemed worse to the point it scared the hell out of me. Sometimes it just wabbles a little then wants to jump around.
Could it be the U-Joints? if so how does it affect the steering like this.
Thanks
I got a 2000 F-350 powerstroke 4X4 165,000 miles on it
Good luck, Joe
p.s. Welcome to FTE
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
That left inner rod end (connecting to the pitman arm) was bad on mine as well. Was only $28 and tightened up a ton of slop. But I was still wondering.
My problem was a left outter rod end, it was too tight. I replaced the entire connection rod, from left to right outter and adjustment sleeve. Drives perfect now. If you put on ALL new ball joints and ALL new rod ends, it is an alignment issue. I suspect there is one rod end or ball joint that has not been replaced and is causing the issue. There are 4 tie-rod joints, all are equally important. The inners are responsible for slop, the outters are responsible for wondering and jerkyness. Bad ball joints just complicate things....
I am no expert but have been dealing with this issue on my rig for several months and finally figured it out. There is a such thing as a bad alignment. If it took them less than 1hr, they did not do it right. Each toe has to be set independently from each other, which is different from how they do light trucks and cars, from what the tech was telling me at PEP boys. Keep posting any clues and we should be able to figure it out....
My problem was a left outter rod end, it was too tight. I replaced the entire connection rod, from left to right outter and adjustment sleeve. Drives perfect now. If you put on ALL new ball joints and ALL new rod ends, it is an alignment issue. I suspect there is one rod end or ball joint that has not been replaced and is causing the issue. There are 4 tie-rod joints, all are equally important. The inners are responsible for slop, the outters are responsible for wondering and jerkyness. Bad ball joints just complicate things....
I am no expert but have been dealing with this issue on my rig for several months and finally figured it out. There is a such thing as a bad alignment. If it took them less than 1hr, they did not do it right. Each toe has to be set independently from each other, which is different from how they do light trucks and cars, from what the tech was telling me at PEP boys. Keep posting any clues and we should be able to figure it out....
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 775
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From: Williamston, MI
climbon, I have had the same thing happen a few times. Until you feel it and have to struggle to keep the truck on the road, you just don't understand what you are talking about. Mine seems to happen if I am hard on the brakes or have a need to do many tight turns. I'd really like to figure out what the heck this is.
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This is all excellent info, I will have to go and look at my past receipts regarding work performed on my truck. I know I had my ball joints replaced ( both sides ) and my drag link is new. Front wheel Hub/bearing assembly was replaced when I had my factory 4X4 hubs replaced with a Warn set up ( I have checked my hubs they are in "free" position ). But I am wondering if all my tie rod ends have been replaced, inside and outer. The strange thing is it all started quickly.
Oh one last thing, I don't know if this will help, but I made a short left turn yesterday and the wobble and loose steering started in, I went to turn around to take it back home so I had to back up while turning the steering wheel to the right I heard a pop noise underneath and then it seemed to fix the problem, what do you think that was all about? Thanks again
Oh one last thing, I don't know if this will help, but I made a short left turn yesterday and the wobble and loose steering started in, I went to turn around to take it back home so I had to back up while turning the steering wheel to the right I heard a pop noise underneath and then it seemed to fix the problem, what do you think that was all about? Thanks again
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
Sounds like a tie-rod end to me. Have someone wiggle the wheel while you are under it and you should be able to spot the bad one pretty quickly. A pop/clunk sound can also come from the sway bar links when cornering if the bushings are bad.
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