Wierd Steering Problem
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
While I would agree that a front axle u-joint COULD be so frozen as to make it difficult to turn the wheel, I find it highly unlikely that one would be so. If it were, engaging 4WD would likely be a bit catastrophic, and that problem would have been discovered by now.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 797
Likes: 1
From: ohio
Just because the truck is not in 4x4 has nothing to do with anything,the u joints in the axle allow the wheels to steer,pivoting when the wheels turn left and right. If they didnt have anything to do with steering the front axles would be like rears,no u joint. An easy way to tell if its actually the u joint is to jack up the front of the truck,lock the hubs and turn the steering wheel full left or right and try turning the tire one full turn. If it binds its the u joints, if turns free then its not. on my old 88 in 4wd with a bad joint it would turn then act like i locked the ign and stick in full turn
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: West Texas
I heard no mention of an alignment after you replaced the ball joints. Did you get it aligned after you did it? The symptoms you describe are classic caster way out of whack symptoms.
Caster is what returns your steering back to center. Caster is mostly what keeps it driving straight down the road when you let go of the wheel.
Caster is what returns your steering back to center. Caster is mostly what keeps it driving straight down the road when you let go of the wheel.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Upstate,NY
Sure did have alignment checked. The strange thing is this condition doesn't happen all the time. Yesterday I drove about 60 miles and it didn't act up once. Today it did it 3 or 4 time just in my 25 mile drive to work. I can't figure it out. The only other thing I can come up with is that the front calipers are sticking sometimes.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Sure did have alignment checked. The strange thing is this condition doesn't happen all the time. Yesterday I drove about 60 miles and it didn't act up once. Today it did it 3 or 4 time just in my 25 mile drive to work. I can't figure it out. The only other thing I can come up with is that the front calipers are sticking sometimes.
Trailering
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I had the same problem when I first replaced my ball joints. I use Moog parts and spindle on one side was very tight. After I torque it onto the axle yoke I could barely move it by hand. After 1,000 miles or so I don't have any issues any more.
2004 F250 4x4 Crew Cab
2004 F250 4x4 Crew Cab
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 929
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Have the same issue with me 2002 F-250 with 80K miles. If I make a sharp right turn, the truck will continue to track to the right. If I turn left it will continue to track to the left.
Yesterday I felt a "wobble" in the steering wheel. The kind you might get when you have 4-wheel drive engaged and drive a slow turn on asphalt.
Took it to my buddies shop and we jacked it up. Front tire does NOT wobble. I thought it might if it were wheel bearings. However, if you grab ahold of the front right axle shaft u-joints and "wiggle", you can see movement where the axleshaft comes through the bearing and seal that is on the knuckle.
I presume there to be a bearing in there for the axle-shaft to spin and I'm thinking this is worn out.
However, I'm not sure the issues are related. I had all ball-joints replaced about 15k-20k miles back.
Any other ideas????
Yesterday I felt a "wobble" in the steering wheel. The kind you might get when you have 4-wheel drive engaged and drive a slow turn on asphalt.
Took it to my buddies shop and we jacked it up. Front tire does NOT wobble. I thought it might if it were wheel bearings. However, if you grab ahold of the front right axle shaft u-joints and "wiggle", you can see movement where the axleshaft comes through the bearing and seal that is on the knuckle.
I presume there to be a bearing in there for the axle-shaft to spin and I'm thinking this is worn out.
However, I'm not sure the issues are related. I had all ball-joints replaced about 15k-20k miles back.
Any other ideas????
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Sorry but I don't agree, if the joint is seized it will hold up the turning of the hub because it is going through the hub, supported by bearings. If it is stuck in position by a frozen joint when you try to turn against the frozen position it will play havoc with your steering. Had the problem on my ex Bronco, if the seized joint turned at all it would grossly affect how straight the truck went and how it turned.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 929
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Got mine in the shop on Saturday. The front right lock-out hub (I do NOT have ESOF) shredded itself. I appears that the pieces that were laying there jammed up and caused the hub to "lock" and therefore the tire was turning the front right driveshaft.
Pulled out the guts of the lockout and runs fine again. Now looking for aftermarket lockouts. Anyone have any suggestions??
Pulled out the guts of the lockout and runs fine again. Now looking for aftermarket lockouts. Anyone have any suggestions??
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
Actually, it is correct as there is NO mechanical link driving the axle shaft when the hubs are unlocked, just friction. Any motion from the knuckle is either going to cause the u-joint to slow down or speed up to get past the "binding" point.
If the u-joint is siezed, the axle shaft will adjust speed when the knuckle is moved as its not mechanically connected in the hub if the hub is unlocked. All in all, if the hubs are verified "unlocked" you won't feel any feedback from them if they are siezed or not unless it's in 4x4.
If the u-joint is siezed, the axle shaft will adjust speed when the knuckle is moved as its not mechanically connected in the hub if the hub is unlocked. All in all, if the hubs are verified "unlocked" you won't feel any feedback from them if they are siezed or not unless it's in 4x4.
OP, check them U-Joints man.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
Got mine in the shop on Saturday. The front right lock-out hub (I do NOT have ESOF) shredded itself. I appears that the pieces that were laying there jammed up and caused the hub to "lock" and therefore the tire was turning the front right driveshaft.
Pulled out the guts of the lockout and runs fine again. Now looking for aftermarket lockouts. Anyone have any suggestions??
Pulled out the guts of the lockout and runs fine again. Now looking for aftermarket lockouts. Anyone have any suggestions??
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Before everyone makes claims about wether or not their u-joints are causing havoc with their steering while in the unlocked position they should determine whether or not the joints are actually turning while in that position. Under normal conditions they will just sit there and go along for the ride and settle into a horizontal friction free plane to allow for turning. Under abnormal conditions (such as friction on the stub shaft) they can turn while in the unlocked position which can play havoc with your steering if the joints are binding at all. You can mark them to determine whether are not they are turning.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
It actually doesn't take much for the axle to turn while in the unlock position but the real kicker of a bad joint is when you turn the joint will catch causing the steering to be choppy or catch, in the end you really just have to turn the joint while in the free position with the wheels turned slightly and you will know if the joint is bad.