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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.
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.
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...
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.
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
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.
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.
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...