Front End Suspension Play PLEASE HELP!

[TXStateAlum]

I am currently experiencing quite a bit of play in the front end of my truck. I have taken it two places (4 Wheel Parts and the Ford Dealership). I received two completley different diagnosis. Who do I believe????

It started all this after I hit a t-post with the front end of my truck. It seems like from the 11o'clock postion to the 2o'clock position I have no steering controll (just free play).

Ford Dealership:
Replace Steering Arm
Tighten Pitman Connection
Replace Dual Steering Stabalizer
Cost: 600.00

4 Wheel Parts:
Replace Dual Steering Stabalizer
Replace Tie Rods
Rod Assembly
Joint Assembly
Idler Arm
Pitman Arm
Ball Joints
Steering box
Price:3,000

**They are crazy my truck only has 24,000 MILES.

[senix]

stabizers are not gonna have anything to do with it.

my vote is the steering box as needing adjustment

[BeatMarti]

Originally Posted by TXStateAlum

I am currently experiencing quite a bit of play in the front end of my truck. I have taken it two places (4 Wheel Parts and the Ford Dealership). I received two completley different diagnosis. Who do I believe????

It started all this after I hit a t-post with the front end of my truck. It seems like from the 11o'clock postion to the 2o'clock position I have no steering controll (just free play).

Ford Dealership:
Replace Steering Arm
Tighten Pitman Connection
Replace Dual Steering Stabalizer
Cost: 600.00

4 Wheel Parts:
Replace Dual Steering Stabalizer
Replace Tie Rods
Rod Assembly
Joint Assembly
Idler Arm
Pitman Arm
Ball Joints
Steering box
Price:3,000

**They are crazy my truck only has 24,000 MILES.

I don't believe that for a second. At around 36K miles, I replaced (on my penny - not warranty) the steering gear box. Total cost just under $1800 because for the 08+ there are no rebuilt boxes available (yet). The cost for the box alone was around $1200.

But, my issues were similar. In essence I ended up with about 10+ degrees of "no action play" at the steering wheel. Not much fun driving down a road with truck grooves in it.

After replacing the box and re-aligning my front-end, the steering is just fine. There were no other problems with it. Meanwhile, I added a dual steering damper from Kelderman. Highly recommendable. It will hopefully preserve and extend the live of the steering gear box aside from adding a lot of confidence in your vehicle behavior when driving down a bad road or crossing rail-road tracks and the like.

[TXStateAlum]

Thanks guys. That sounds about right. I did notice that my steering box is leaking fluid. Unfortunatley this will be out of my pocket since I have an after market suspension lift. I will get with dealership and try to track down the cost for this. Well I guess I know what I will be getting for Christmas.