Again with the wandering front end problem... - Page 2 - Diesel Forum

FHAREN · 05-27-2005, 08:44 AM

[ QUOTE ]
what I did is take the air filter out, even the tube that air minder sensor is coonected to. (take out air minder first before trying to pullout tube, makes for easier removal). Then I found the right size allen socket(size??) from my socket set. Put this it the bolt, then a 5/8" wrench to loosen the jam nut. I then had a very small open end wrench that fit around the hex part of the socket and used it to tighten the bolt.

Hope this helps

Now how do you know if you are going to tight???

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Yeah, doing that labor intensive process and having to adjust the steering by trial and error would make me even more frustrated with the wandering problem.

04crew · 05-28-2005, 07:45 AM

my 991/2 dually 4wd pulled to the right and wandered a bit. durham frame and axle cured it after the dealer couldnt . the guy who did it said that 4wds got to be totally spot on. he got it there,,no more problm. i have never seen a late model 4wd without the steering damper. propely agusted allignment should run straight hands off. i wouldnt mess with the steering box. it really sounds like the toe is off.

chipster314 · 05-29-2005, 08:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
what I did is take the air filter out, even the tube that air minder sensor is coonected to. (take out air minder first before trying to pullout tube, makes for easier removal). Then I found the right size allen socket(size??) from my socket set. Put this it the bolt, then a 5/8" wrench to loosen the jam nut. I then had a very small open end wrench that fit around the hex part of the socket and used it to tighten the bolt.

Hope this helps

Now how do you know if you are going to tight???

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, doing that labor intensive process and having to adjust the steering by trial and error would make me even more frustrated with the wandering problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only took about 10 mins to ge filter out, then maybe 20 mins to figure out how to get at bolt with allen key.

60psd · 06-01-2005, 12:45 PM

Quick update...I took it in to the dealer this morning and I had the front end guy drive the truck with me so that he could see first hand. When we got onto the highway and got up to speed, he immediately could tell that there was a problem. He agreed that there was definately something not right. He said that it felt like there was something wrong with the ball joints or the tie rods or possibly the steering box...Ill let you know what they come up with when they call me back at the end of the day.

enoll · 06-01-2005, 03:25 PM

Talked to my service advisor on thie same issue and he states that with the diesel motor weight that the knuckles are the culprit. I have yet to have this wandering, but what he says is to make sure that they get replaced before the 36k mile warranty is up. They tend to wear out faster because of the weight. I don't know this for fact, but this is what my guy said. Hope it helps.

60psd · 06-02-2005, 08:34 AM

Im sorry, but Im not too familiar with what the knuckles are. Can you elaborate? They called me back last night and said that they were going to add a steering stabilizer(as per Ford) and that they were going to check the ball joints. Im not sure a steering stabilizer is going to fix the issue, but Ill take one(its free). Anybody have any ideas on this? Im supposed to get it back today, so Ill let you know what they did and if its fixed. Thanks everyone.

rlepage · 06-02-2005, 12:12 PM

check the ends of the link that goes from the pitman arm to the passenger side. Both ends were bad (loose) on mine. Once that was replaced the steering was fine. I had it back to the dealer 6 times and to an alignment shop with no success. I then crawled under it and looked for myself and found lots of play in those 2 ends.

60psd · 06-02-2005, 01:43 PM

Thanks, I'll check that when I pick up the truck and before I leave the dealership. The service guy just called and said I could come pick it up. He said that they put a steering stabilizer on it and that everything else was ok. He said that they took it out on a test drive and that "it was alot better". I guess we'll see. I'm hoping for the best. Thanks again.

sticksnglue · 06-02-2005, 05:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
check the ends of the link that goes from the pitman arm to the passenger side. Both ends were bad (loose) on mine. Once that was replaced the steering was fine. I had it back to the dealer 6 times and to an alignment shop with no success. I then crawled under it and looked for myself and found lots of play in those 2 ends.

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Wow, now that's sad, how long did that check take? like 45 seconds [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

chipster314 · 06-02-2005, 06:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
check the ends of the link that goes from the pitman arm to the passenger side. Both ends were bad (loose) on mine. Once that was replaced the steering was fine. I had it back to the dealer 6 times and to an alignment shop with no success. I then crawled under it and looked for myself and found lots of play in those 2 ends.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok for us(me) what and where is this ptiman arm?

Thanks

rlepage · 06-03-2005, 11:05 AM

I had the wife get in and rock the steering wheel from side to side and watched everything as it moved. There was a lot of movement in those 2 joints before the wheels ever sarted to move. Tech that replaced it said he's replaced those before but usually at 80,000 miles. I suspect had I looked earlier I wouldn't have had to take it back so many times to get it fixed, then again they should have found the problem.

rlepage · 06-03-2005, 11:07 AM

pitman arm is the arm connected to the steering box and moves side to side when the steering wheel is turned.

rhonamitra · 06-03-2005, 11:28 AM

I had the same wander in an 02 at 14000, it was bad ball joints, but they tried to put me off until the warranty was over. Take the truck to a non-ford mechanic and have it checked out or just jack it up and put a flat bar with a wedge under the edge of the tire and see if you can lift it or if you hear a clunk, then take it back to ford for ball joints.
Hope this helps.
Harry

60psd · 06-03-2005, 05:38 PM

Well I got it back yesterday and all they did was put a steering stabilizer on it and said that they checked everything else and that all was fine. It was raining yesterday and today so I did not get under the truck to check for the pitman arm issue. They did state on the work order that "some" wander is to be expected due to the long wheel base. I got this truck to tow trailers ranging from 2000-10000 lbs. and the steering wander makes for a miserable ride with those trailers(sway). I did drive approx 100 miles today and all I have to say is that those two days at the dealership were a total waste of time, it still wanders. Anybody else out there with crew cabs and longbeds, please chime in with any input as to the ride of your trucks. I love this truck and the power it has, but this wander in the steering is very annoying, not to mention unsafe. I guess I'll take it back in till they fix it right. Thanks everyone.