Ok I have replaced the ball joints in my 2004 SD and had the front end aligned. The truck still wanders all over the road. It has oversized tires on it and I was wondering if that could cause the truck to b hard to handle. I have also been told that these trucks do not have anything that returns them to center when steering?? Could this b the problem? I need help!!

 

Who ever told you that "these trucks do not have anything that returns them to center when steering" is full of it. When they are aligned properly they return to center. It just amazes me what people will tell a vehicle owner to get out of doing a proper repair.

Aside from no center return or feeling, does the truck exhibit any other symptoms like loose steering?

 

Not anymore. It starts to drift and when you steer to straighten it there seems like a catch in the steering then it all of the sudden jerks the direction you are steering.

 

By the way what is the original tire size on these trucks?

 

Generally speaking 265/75/16s are the most commen but some came with 245s and the harleys that year had 18" rims wraped with rubber that I am unfamiliar with. what size is on your truck?

 

It has 305/75/16 on it right now.

 

The symptoms could be ball joints, alignment or steering box.

Do not assume the ball joints are good just because they were replaced. Also do not assume the alignment is correct just because it was recently done. Did they give you the before and after measurements on the alignment? It sounds like they dialed in too much negative caster to me.

AFAIK, stock tires would be 235/85-16 , 275/65-18 , or 265/75-16.

 

On stock rims?

 

They did give me a print out on the alignment and i stood there and watched them do the alignment. I do at least know the print out is on my truck. Should i have ford check the alignment? I had it done at another place

 

I would check the steering box too as mentioned earlier. I know the probs you are talking about .... can be scary.

 

My truck just came back from the shop for the exact same problem. Ford replaced the whole steering box.

 

yes on stock rims

 

Look at the printout, what are the alignment specs?

IMO: 305s on stock rims may be part of the problem, but I doubt it. They probably wouldn't give you symptoms like this unless you had a bad tire on the front axle or had the tires seriously underinflated.

 

oh yeah and the problem comes and gos
its not consistant

 

Loose nut behind the wheel? **sorry couldn't resist**