Steers Like Im Drunk
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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Steers Like Im Drunk
My Truck Sucks To Drive. 89 F150 4x4 5spd. The Front Wheels Are Like / \ . And If I Hit A Bump It Wants To Throw Me Across The Road And The Steering Sticks Sometimes. It Just Kinda Wanders All Over. The Tires Are 31 10.50s And They Are Good. Any Suggestions.
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Some mid '80s Fords had no-grease plastic-type joints in the steering linkages. Those should have long ago gone to pot and been replaced, if your truck had them at all. But look at everything under there anyway.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Quad Cities, IA
I don't know about the F-150's, but my F-250 does the wheel /--\ thing due to worn out springs on the front end. I replaced the shocks and it helped some, but it still does it a bit.
The steering sticking could be a worn out power steering pump. Could also be worn out steering joints in your front end assembly. Mine never gives me any trouble when I hit bumps, it just looks horrible. Drives fine, actually.
If I were you, I'd take it to an alignment shop and have them take a look at it. Some places give free estimates, and they're a good place to start if you're looking to save money.
The steering sticking could be a worn out power steering pump. Could also be worn out steering joints in your front end assembly. Mine never gives me any trouble when I hit bumps, it just looks horrible. Drives fine, actually.
If I were you, I'd take it to an alignment shop and have them take a look at it. Some places give free estimates, and they're a good place to start if you're looking to save money.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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I had a steering gear box go to hell on me in my wife's explorer and it would stick when tried to let the wheel self-center after a turn.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Winchendon MA
Bad axle U-joint is my bet. Also check the leaf springs in the back if one leaf cracks the truck will wonder allover done to the messed up corner weights. BTDT.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
My opinion,
Get your front end fixed before something lets go and you kill yourself or someone else.
Oh, and the wider tires are causing excessive wear on your steering components. (tie rods, drag link, pitman arm)
Get your front end fixed before something lets go and you kill yourself or someone else.
Oh, and the wider tires are causing excessive wear on your steering components. (tie rods, drag link, pitman arm)
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Sounds like the typical ford wandering steering syndrome. I've got the same problem less the sticking. My tie rods and ball joints were replaced about 10,000 miles ago before I bought the truck so I'm assuming at this point they are still good. I put in new shocks which helped some, then I re-adjusted the wheel bearing torque which helped a little more. Still have the problem but it's better. Once the weather warms up I'll adjust the steering backlash at the steering box. The wandering steering can be caused by a bunch of things. The sticking sounds like the lash has been adjusted down too much in an effort to correct the problem. If that's the case then you are probably looking at a new steering box. Check that the box is bolted down tight to the frame rail. Could also be the pitman arm is worn or the rag joint in the steering column. In your case, I'd start with the wheel bearing torque and then an alignment and have the steering components (tie rods ends, etc) checked. It's just a matter of gradually eliminating possible causes. Hope this helps.
Brett
Brett
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I know this story well. My 96 F-150 2wd XL bed was horrendous when I got it. I don't touch front ends or brakes so I took it to a good front-end, tire-brake shop I know and they rebuilt the whole front end for me. They did a great job and only trouble is the steering box is a bit sloppy so that will be going when I'm ready.
I picked up another 150 last week, 1995 reg bed 4x4 I6. It had smaller tires on front and was awkward. It now has all 4 33x12.50x15 tires on it that were fantastic in the snow storm we just had, but the front end is wasted. I put it in the shop yesterday and it will be ready today. Those tires are bigger than yours and the mechanic told me aside from a rub on the arm at full turn, they'll be fine but do wear on the parts sooner however no problem if you stay on it. Good to go enjoy!
I picked up another 150 last week, 1995 reg bed 4x4 I6. It had smaller tires on front and was awkward. It now has all 4 33x12.50x15 tires on it that were fantastic in the snow storm we just had, but the front end is wasted. I put it in the shop yesterday and it will be ready today. Those tires are bigger than yours and the mechanic told me aside from a rub on the arm at full turn, they'll be fine but do wear on the parts sooner however no problem if you stay on it. Good to go enjoy!
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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Thanks Everyone. The Trucks Not My Daily Driver So I Decided Today Im Gonna Go Through And Replace Everything, New Tie Rods, Drag Link U-joints Etc.etc. I Bought A Set Of 1ton Springs And Ordered 4.30 Gears. Im Gonna Go Through Everything On This Truck. Im Tired Of Fixin A Lil Here And There. The Frame Needs Sandblasting And Repainted So There Will Be Alot Of Work Done To Her.