? about ball joints and steering
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson, SC
? about ball joints and steering
Ok, so I'm having some steering issues. I've never really noticed it since it's driven this way since I bought it (which wasn't long ago). But a friend of mine borrowed my truck the other day when his '06 350 6.0 had to be towed. His truck is just like mine, except its a 350 (SRW), and a king ranch. He pulls a trailer with lawn equipment totaling around 4,000lbs or there about. Anyways, he said that when he took it down the interstate to one of his jobs (I very rarely hit the interstate in my truck btw) he had to do a lot of back and forth with the steering wheel to keep it in a lane. Then he said when he would take turns, he would be in the on-coming lane before he got the wheel turned enough for it to actually turn (I guess he was use to his truck turning a lot faster so he didn't think to let off the gas). Could this be my ball joints or what? I've heard some other people talk about sway bar mounting bushings and sway bar links and tie rod ends and all that good stuff. Anybody seem to think it could be on thing over the other? Any simple tests to look and see or feel if it's one thing or the other? Thanks for any help guys.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: central valley, CA
I just had my truck aligned and the shop guy used a pry bar under the ball joints to check them. He was already telling me that my truck would probably need ball joints before even checking them and was surprised that mine were in good condition. He stated it was a common problem with a lot of the farm trucks that they work on but my truck hardly ever see's a dirt road. A part from the occasional air time it get at the sand dunes. Got 97K on the odometer.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2010
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I'd take it to an alignment shop and just ask what needs replacing. they should charge you nothing or a very nominal amount. you'll need an alignment after you do the work and they can make it up from you then. I have a good alignment guy I trust, and that's what he's always done for me.
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From: Anderson, SC
I'd take it to an alignment shop and just ask what needs replacing. they should charge you nothing or a very nominal amount. you'll need an alignment after you do the work and they can make it up from you then. I have a good alignment guy I trust, and that's what he's always done for me.
They're gonna check it out for me Wednesday. If it needs replacing I'll probably do it while I install my leveling kit.
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From: Anderson, SC
Haha, I don't think it's the latter. I've been riding with him for years, and it's enough to tick you off...I'd be surprised if he even hit 55 on the interstate. Around town, don't matter what the speed limit is, he ain't goin past 35.
