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Power steering or something?

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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 05:37 PM
  #1  
Byrddog's Avatar
Byrddog
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From: Lexington, Ky.
Power steering or something?

Hey guys, sorry in not posted in a while. But, im having a problem that im not sure of. When im driving my truck (usually 30 mph or greater) if feels like it wants to pull to left every once in awhile only for a second or two then just goes back to normal. I assumed the pump but it not making any noises when you turn or anything like that. Ball joints all look good.
The pitman arm however i noticed has sizable gap between the arm and the gear box (maybe 1/8 in) and you can see the sector shaft insde. Could this be the problem?
Sorry so long winded, any help is greatly appreciated.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 05:58 PM
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The gap is normal. I would suspect brakes cause the pull. Check for a caliper hung up or maybe a bad brake hose.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 07:42 AM
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Neal 97 250
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Going out on a limb here but check the balljoints. Also see if there is movement in any of the linkage in the front. Brakes is where I would go first though. Don't forget the back ones too.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 11:57 AM
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Well i removed the front wheels and did a quick check of the brakes and ball joints.
Brakes look good and the ball joints have a little play but no differant than they were a year ago, and the linkage looks alright.
It never pulls when im taking off its always while im driving and not braking at all.
Like if im on an open road and going 60 mph all of a sudden you can feel it pulling to the left then it will just stop by its self.
Could it be the bearings? Im not getting any sounds from this problem either.
Thanks guys.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 12:24 PM
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Could be a steering gear issue but those are pretty hard to diagnose. Usually just replace them to find out.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 01:23 PM
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To check the bearings rea quick field check style you can drive for a good distance and get out and wrap your hands around the hubs one at a time and if one is significantly hotter than the other it needs closer inspection.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 02:39 PM
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Not sure what what front axle you have but if it's a TTB you might want to check the axle pivot bushings for slop. Not very common for them to go bad but they can cause al sorts of umpredictable stuff when they are going out.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 05:01 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions guys
TJ i thought about the gear box, but dont have the cash to buy a new one and pray thats the problem.
Cuda i think thats the axle i have (the twin i beam), now where might i find this pivot bushing?

You guy are awsome.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 05:57 PM
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The pivot bushings are in the end of each axle where it attaches to the frame brackets. Raise the front and use a prybar to check for slop.
 
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