Front End Play
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Memphis, TN
Front End Play
Truck runs right straight down the road. But...you have to pay attention...it has play in the wheel and takes some attention. No vibration, now veering one way or the other. Just enough play to make things interesting on a narrow road....while meeting another F-250 with huge mirrors.
I have 200k....I'm sure the ball joints are probably not in great shape. What other things would I (adjust?) look at to address the play in the wheel?
THANKS
I have 200k....I'm sure the ball joints are probably not in great shape. What other things would I (adjust?) look at to address the play in the wheel?
THANKS
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I'm having the same problem it started at about 105000 miles I checked ,everything in the front end was tight (nothing falling off), I'll be watching to see some of the recemendations you get .
2000 F-350 7.3 crew srw ,5"straight pipe, heavy off road bumpers,front add-a leaf
2000 F-350 7.3 crew srw ,5"straight pipe, heavy off road bumpers,front add-a leaf
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 11
From: LA and CO
Mine had 235K on it when it needed balljoints. I changed them and it still darted all over. 2 shops said it was fine. I brought it to a third and they told me it was fine as well. I talked to the tech and told him my problems. He looked at it again and called me back.
The camber was in "spec" but one side was at the high side and the other at the low side causing my problems. He swapped the camber kit from side to side and it cured my problems. He also took the slop out of the steering box. These 2 items made a huge difference. The steering is getting sloppy again so I think I now have a tie rod going bad somewhere.
All I know is I found a very good shop to deal with. They actually have a mechanic, not a book reader and parts changer. This guy has the ability to freely think through a problem. You can't find that anymore...
The camber was in "spec" but one side was at the high side and the other at the low side causing my problems. He swapped the camber kit from side to side and it cured my problems. He also took the slop out of the steering box. These 2 items made a huge difference. The steering is getting sloppy again so I think I now have a tie rod going bad somewhere.
All I know is I found a very good shop to deal with. They actually have a mechanic, not a book reader and parts changer. This guy has the ability to freely think through a problem. You can't find that anymore...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, Colorado
These trucks are very sensitive to caster and camber settings. I would check your draglink (inner tie rod ends) too. Pay close attention to the one at the pitman arm. Mine seems to wear them out in a hurry. It would also probably be in your best interest to have a look at the front wheel hub/bearing assy's.
Keep us posted and good luck,
Austin
Keep us posted and good luck,
Austin
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 659
Likes: 2
From: Berthoud, CO
Mine had a lot of movement too. I checked everything and found that the play was in the steering box. I know there was a write up on here a year ago or so that showed how to adjust that. I adjusted that and that helped a bunch.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam, KY
I have an 01F250 lariat crew cab 4x4 w 65xxx, it darts when unloaded and not towing only. I bought used w 40xxx and has always done this. With my 35ft fifth wheel camper it never darts. I had a dodge 3/4 4x4 it always darted and rode terrible, my only and last dodge.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Check all the steering ball joints!
You don't want to know how THIS feels:
I now suggest replacing all them at least every 100K miles. That one failed while I was driving....not fun at all.
You don't want to know how THIS feels:
I now suggest replacing all them at least every 100K miles. That one failed while I was driving....not fun at all.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: huntington beach, ca
i had the same problem with wandering on my '00 F350 4X4. everything in the front end was tight. i thought it was play in the gearbox so i replaced it. no different. i took the truck to the alignment shop to check it. the caster was at the low end of the specs. i made some 4 degree wedge shims and put them between the front axle and the springs to increase the caster. now its at the high end of spec. it drives much better and the tires are wearing just fine too. j.o.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
I had the same solution as whitesdford. Adjusted the steering box and it helped with a lot of the looseness. There is a nut on the top of the steering box with an allen head bolt that you turn to tighten the box. Be very careful not to turn the bolt very far as these only require minimal adjustment. I turned mine about 1/4 to 1/2 a turn. If you overtighten it, the steering box might lock-up or fail is what I remember reading.
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Tightening up slop in the steering gear box involves nothing more than an allen wrench and I forget what size box wrench. But just a little tightening makes a big difference so just do it in little increments at a time. You get it too tight and you will like it loose a whole lot more. This may not be your problem, but it fixed mine a couple of years ago.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice , I should probably try tightening the box myself,over a few day period little by little to see if it change before i pay for another alignment.i have found i can do most of my own repairs if i take my time and think . especially with advice from people that have already been there .
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
5/8 and 3/16 Thanks , what do you mean peelin paint . my wife has a 02 X (7.3 of course)do i have something to look forward to ?and did you have any problems with the computer when you opened the exhoust?
00 F-350 ,7.3, 5" open pipe,heavy pipe bumpers.
00 F-350 ,7.3, 5" open pipe,heavy pipe bumpers.