Well, after having my truck aligned I still had "wandering" issues, seemed like I had to constantly correct the steering (on my 2000 F250 4x4). It has brand new 265 BFG AT tires. So, I took the steering stabilizer off, and presto it is much better now! I went back to the alignment guy, and he played with the stabilizer for a while and said, yeah it has a little "rough" spot or worn spot when it moves back and forth, enough to cause the constant back and forth correction.

 

Maybe I'm an idiot....When you say steering stabilizer you mean the shock on the tie rod?...I have the same wandering issues on my 2000, with brand new tires also....
Forgive me if this is obvious...
Thanks

 

You're not an idiot, That has to be what he's talking about

 

I tried that fix... didn't work for me. Glad you found your problem though! And yes, the "shock" on the tie rod is a steering stabilizer.

 

cool thanks guys, i'm going to give that a try..

 

Yeah my 99 doesnt have one and it steers fine. I guess some came with one and some didn't? I will try it for a while, and might find a new one and put it back on. Good luck with yours.

 

If after removing your stablizer and the steering doesn't get better, another thing to check, that no one does, is the aligment of the rear end to the rest of the truck. It has to be square.

I had the infamous PSD wander last year this time and three different alignment shops couldn't find the problem. All parts tight and in working order was always their answer. Then one day I took it to NTB of all places and their alignment guy nailed it. He sent me across town to a place that lifts trucks and presto, an hour later it drove near perfect.

 

Good to know Scott, I remember when you posted that fix. Funny thing, with hot rodding and-or massive potholes, towing and such, doesn't take much for things to get out of alignment back there, should get mine 4 wheel aligned.

 

I have got a firestone place that cannot get mine right. I will try that this go around.

 

Especially with our larger vehicles, alignments need to involve front and rear ends or four wheel (in my case six wheel) alignment.
Many shops are just set-up for cars only needing front alignment. That is not good enough for our trucks.
My alignment after replacing tie rod ends in 2008 was $60.

 

Thanks for the great info.I have had the front done several times but never thought about the back.

 

I went to a place that a friend of mine recomended, droped the truck off anc came back later. When I got back he didn't do it, couldn't get his lift to lift the truck. He said he measured and all looked good and didn't charge me. Still need to get mine done the right way, but I might wait for new shoes now...

 

I fixed my wander with a whole new tie rod. Everything looked good. Had it on the allignment rack and all checked out. Drove the truck until I had wander and pulled over right there and tape measured 5/8 inch toe out!
Went back to the shop and checked again. It was good.

Found out that on the passenger side the tie rod has two parts crimped together. They had come loose (thank goodness not apart) and would slide in and out. I replaced everything from the steering box down. Much better.

My steering box still has some play in it after adjusting it so it will have to be changed, but it can wait.