Track Bar Bushing causing steering slop?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Salem,Oregon
Track Bar Bushing causing steering slop?
76 f150 4x4
i got an alignment done recently because it needed it since i changed my front coils to leveling ones.
but ive always had this steering slop issue. probably a good 3" or so
ive done some research here and sounds like possibly my trackbar bushings?
i think this may be right since they dont look to good. but tell me what u think.
if so would these be the correct ones to buy?
Trac-Bar Bushings, Red
Thanks.
-cody
i got an alignment done recently because it needed it since i changed my front coils to leveling ones.
but ive always had this steering slop issue. probably a good 3" or so
ive done some research here and sounds like possibly my trackbar bushings?
i think this may be right since they dont look to good. but tell me what u think.
if so would these be the correct ones to buy?
Trac-Bar Bushings, Red
Thanks.
-cody
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Salem,Oregon
or should i just drop that buy and get the entire C-Bushing Kit, 4 Degree Red kit?
Says for 1"-3" lift
and i lifted the front about 2" with the leveling coils.
Says for 1"-3" lift
and i lifted the front about 2" with the leveling coils.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: North east IN.
Yea it could be the tracking bar bushing and the rag joint, steering box has slop or mounting bolts are loose, tie rod ends, balljoints, wheel bearings or either end of the radius arm bushings or a combination of any of them. Just have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth and check all these spots for excessive play. As far as the C bushings you would be better off getting the whole kit because I bet yours are probably rotten.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Salem,Oregon
whats a rag joint?
ball joints are brand new.. just replaced them
tie rods are good.. i checked them out and greased them good .
wheels bearings are good.. i looked at them well and packed them with grease.
so now iam down to:
-Track Bar Bushings
-Steering Box
-Radius arm Bushings
i have a good feeling its the steering box. but i'll have to test it again with someone rockin the steering wheel...
thanks for the info
-Cody
ball joints are brand new.. just replaced them
tie rods are good.. i checked them out and greased them good .
wheels bearings are good.. i looked at them well and packed them with grease.
so now iam down to:
-Track Bar Bushings
-Steering Box
-Radius arm Bushings
i have a good feeling its the steering box. but i'll have to test it again with someone rockin the steering wheel...
thanks for the info
-Cody
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I had a 79 F150 that did the same thing, and it was the track arm bushings. I could set still and rock the steering wheel back and forth, and definetly see the slop in the bushing, as well as the chassis would move back and forth without moving the wheels. Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Aurora CO
i just went thru this with my 78 f150 4x4. it was a combination of just about all the above.
i had the tie rods replaced. the wheel bearings replaced and packed. the ball joints replaced as well. i still had slop.
so i then replaced the trac bar bushing, c bushings and radius arm bushings. as well as the rag joint. while i did this i discovered that one of my radius arms was bent. also the bolts for the trac bar were severely worn down. even the trac bar mount was worn out and now oblong shaped. i replaced it all. then got the wheels balanced and it now drives great!
i saw do it right once and replace all the bushings at one time. that beats tearing it apart more than one time. imo
i had the tie rods replaced. the wheel bearings replaced and packed. the ball joints replaced as well. i still had slop.
so i then replaced the trac bar bushing, c bushings and radius arm bushings. as well as the rag joint. while i did this i discovered that one of my radius arms was bent. also the bolts for the trac bar were severely worn down. even the trac bar mount was worn out and now oblong shaped. i replaced it all. then got the wheels balanced and it now drives great!
i saw do it right once and replace all the bushings at one time. that beats tearing it apart more than one time. imo
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: North east IN.
whats a rag joint?
ball joints are brand new.. just replaced them
tie rods are good.. i checked them out and greased them good .
wheels bearings are good.. i looked at them well and packed them with grease.
so now iam down to:
-Track Bar Bushings
-Steering Box
-Radius arm Bushings
i have a good feeling its the steering box. but i'll have to test it again with someone rockin the steering wheel...
thanks for the info
-Cody
ball joints are brand new.. just replaced them
tie rods are good.. i checked them out and greased them good .
wheels bearings are good.. i looked at them well and packed them with grease.
so now iam down to:
-Track Bar Bushings
-Steering Box
-Radius arm Bushings
i have a good feeling its the steering box. but i'll have to test it again with someone rockin the steering wheel...
thanks for the info
-Cody
The rag joint is where the steering shaft bolts to the steering box. Looks like a round piece of conveyor belt.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Salem,Oregon
i have a feeling its my steering box itself..
i can move the steer wheel and nothing else moves.. get what im sayin? uhmm
i should say it like this.. the steering rod that goes into the steer box moves but nothing after that moves..
when i say moving i mean when i rock the wheels back and forth about 3 inches.. (slop)
any1 know somewhere reasonable to get a good steering box? (76 f150 4x4 pwr. str.)
i can move the steer wheel and nothing else moves.. get what im sayin? uhmm
i should say it like this.. the steering rod that goes into the steer box moves but nothing after that moves..
when i say moving i mean when i rock the wheels back and forth about 3 inches.. (slop)
any1 know somewhere reasonable to get a good steering box? (76 f150 4x4 pwr. str.)
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
ok guys i agree with a lot of what your saying but im wondering if the track bar mount on the axle is oval shape how do you change it. its a direct weld to the axle right? my 77 f150 stepside has a lot of play in the track bar. ive changed the bushings and noticed the bolt hole is worn but now im stumped.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Aurora CO
i had this same problem on mine. fortunately i had a parts truck and just took the mount off the parts truck and used it on mine.
i have seen a bolt designed for this. i saw it on rock auto and i believe jeff's. it is adjustable so that it will compensate for a hole that is not round or over sized.
i cannot say how they work and it is a bit pricey. but if you want it done right...
i have seen a bolt designed for this. i saw it on rock auto and i believe jeff's. it is adjustable so that it will compensate for a hole that is not round or over sized.
i cannot say how they work and it is a bit pricey. but if you want it done right...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shorerider16
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
18
Jul 22, 2016 06:48 PM
cpye2
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
129
Jan 10, 2016 08:09 PM
