Steering Wander/sloppiness...
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
I just had a steering issue pop up today....this sounds like the likely culprit. gotta crank the wheel to the left just to keep her going straight, acts loosey goosey going around corners...steering wheel bone feels disconnected to the wheel bone. D'oh!
Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
I did those last summer. Made a big difference....you'll be surprised.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Shocks can help also. As in the way the truck tracks over bumps. Just put some Bilsiens on last week and now running down the high way things are oh so much better. Still need to tighten up on the steering box back lash. Should be driving like a sports car after that.
"Super Duty Sports car".
"Super Duty Sports car".
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor
front axle u-joints that are bad or frozen and wont move can cause memory steer when turning even with the hubs unlocked. this could be the "burr" the OP was talking about... i had similar symptoms and had to replace a front axle u-joint
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: Montana
does it make a stranged clunking noise some times while hittle little bumps. even turning sometimes I get something is wearing out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 0
From: Millbrook Alabama
IF you have a steering stabilizer (some dont), then the piston arm of the stabilizer may have gotten bent. I bent my stock steering stabilizer way back when my truck was new, and I experienced some of the same symptoms you are, especially the "burr" or place where the wheel seems to catch, and then the subsequent quick over reaction.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam, KY
OK guys,i know search is my friend,but you guys are too....LOL. My truck with 199000 on the clock,drives awful while on the highway,lets say,you have to kinda"float" the steering wheel back and forth(usually very little)to keep it straight in your lane,ok,when your floating the wheel one way to keep it tracking in the lane,and you have to float it the other way,you go a little and there is no response,you go a little more and it veers back that direction,not violently but not very comfortable to drive either.While turning it one direction and you hit a sorta hard spot and you have to put a little more pressure to get past it,then its like it goes too far.I noticed it more while on our trip to Daytona this week pulling a trailer,but you dont have to be pulling to feel it.....thoughts...?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
its really amazing the number of things that can contribute to loose steering or wander.
For me, I ended up replacing a list of bad parts in the last 2 yrs
both wheel bearings
ball joints
steering stabilizer
tie rod
swaybar bushings & end links
The sad thing is I've still got wander.
I'm pushing 300k and i think its time for a gearbox
For me, I ended up replacing a list of bad parts in the last 2 yrs
both wheel bearings
ball joints
steering stabilizer
tie rod
swaybar bushings & end links
The sad thing is I've still got wander.
I'm pushing 300k and i think its time for a gearbox
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
Locate the steering box at the driverside front engine compt. look down from beside the battery it's down towards the bottom. You'll need a wrench and allen wrench. loosen the nut with the allen head in the center. Hold onto the nut while turning the allen clockwise. Only go a 1/4 turn per time. test drive after each adjustment. Only go as far as needed because the steering wheel won't return and will bind on you while driving down the road.
Somebody that knows more than I will chime in and give you a better explanation
Somebody that knows more than I will chime in and give you a better explanation
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Hey guys,am i correct in thinking that when you"adjust" the steering box,aren't we simply "tightening" the steering?So any issue that we're having with steering will only be a little stiffer.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Your right on Billyclub. Phil this wont fix other issues but it does help the slop in the steering box gears. I have seen 3 trucks that it helped including mine. But I would say it is temporary, but as long as it works I wont replace My box.
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