Loose front end
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Loose front end
I have been fighting a problem with my front end. It seems to have something that causes me to steer a little to the left which likely causes the outside of the pass front to wear. It also makes a little of loose or popping noise when over uneaven sufaces. Mostly appears when pulling over a rise in pavement. the best exampe is when pulling through a local parking lot that has a lot swells and depressions for drainage. I have replaced all ***** joints, inner & outer tie rods including drag link as well a wheel bearings. My next suspect is the radius arms. If this seems possible failure, is there a replacable part where it connects to the control arm or just the bushing under the cab. I had it aligned recently and they "said" they got it lined up.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
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From: Goodyear, AZ
Is your truck 2x4 or 4x4?? either way if it doesn't have the solid front axle, you have pivot bushings where the axle (or I-beam for 2x4) pivot from a bracket bolted to the cross member. They are replaceable, but I'm finding out that they are not easy to do.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
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Check the rivets that hold the radius arms to the frame. Several of mine were almost pulled through the frame. I cut them out and replaced them with 7/16 grade 8 bolts. Had if aligned and havent had any problems since. Guy at the alignment shop said its a common problem with the fords, especially the psd trucks.
Jason
Jason
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
if this is one the F-350 in your sig with the Dana 60 straight axle and tight parts (ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings) you have a bad alignment. The popping noise is probably worn leaf spring bushings but those should not cause your wear or steering issues. If you can have the alignment check and get a print out of the specs I can tell you whether your alignment real correct or not. Most shops will just get all the spec in the range and not really correct. Wheel alignments can be in spec but still be wrong causing pulls and poor handling
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It is 2wd. I actually am off this weekend so I will try to check the radius arm for loose rivets. tjbeggs, i did not get a print out but I will next time and probably take you up on that. know of a good way to check those ibeam pivot bushings?? Anything other ideas???
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
not really any best way to check them, I would just unbolt the pivot arm and just pull it down and take a peak, just be careful to have the truck supported by the frame to take off any weight, but thought mine was ok until I saw the top of them, rubber everywhere was fine except for the top where it was shot
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