I'm at my wits end with the shop who works on my truck. I have terrible bump steer-the truck wonders all over the road & when I hit a slight bump it will go in any direction but the direction I'm steering.
Also, I have a lot of play in the steering wheel...at least an inch in either direction. This causes the truck to ride like hell on the highway because I'm constantly fighting to keep it going straight.
At first the shop did an alignment but then told me because my tires were so bald, they were finding any line in the road and following it. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because my tires were toast, almost slicks....but now I have new tires on the truck plus new 20 inch wheels, that have been perfectly balanced and the problem is still there.

My question is-I had read somewhere before that you could tighten up the steering w/ some type of adjustment screws on the steering box itself, is this correct?? Does anyone have any suggestions on my bump steer/wondering? I'm going to be taking it back to the shop this week but I want to know more about the problem then they do, because at this point it seems they are just guessing; truck has been there 3 times for the same issue.

Also, is it possible to over tighten ball joints?? The shop put all new ball joints in for me, but when I was having some steering problems, they tightened them down real good. Now when I'm driving, if I steer in one direction or change lanes on the highway, the truck continues to drive in that direction and I have to forcefully steer back in the proper direction....the wheel doesn't naturally wind back like it use too. Could over tightened ball joints cause that?
Thanks in advance for any help. I hate driving my truck right now because it feels so unstable.

 

Ball joints are pressed in, so no, can't get them too tight. Yes, you can tighten the steering box. There is a set screw inside of a nut on top of the steering box. Gotta loosen the nut, then tighten the set screw.

 

There is a TSB that covers this issue. Ford replaced the steering dampner on my 06 F250 Superduty 4x4 and aligned the front end to a tighter spec due to this problem. Do a search of TSB's and you will find it.

 

My truck is lifted though, and the stock steering stabilizer has been removed and replaced w/ the dual Fabtech setup. Plus I just had an alignment done last week.

 

OK, I'm about ready to lose it. Someone please chime in if this is correct or BS.
The shop replaced my drag link (without asking me) because they said the ball joint on the end that connects to the pitman arm was shot. I did noticed the rubber seal/gasket was blown, but they said its a one piece deal, they can't replace just the ball joint....so they replaced the whole drag link at $280!
Then that didn't even fix my problem-the truck is still driving like crap, steering is all over the place...so they told me I need either a rebuilt or new steering gear box!?!? I ask them if they tried adjusting the set screw, they went in the back for about an hour, then came back and said they tried tightening it but it's tightened all the way. The mechanic then said the "worm gear" inside the box is almost striped down They said they could get me a new steering gear for around $250.

WTF- Does any of this make sense??

 

i hope you didn't pay for the $280. they had no approval to put it on, especially since it didn't fix the issue.

 

Yes, that drag link bar is expensive, and it is possible to tighten that adjustment screw all the way down. You could need a new box. But, check it yourself first. All of this stuff is simple stuff.... No need for a shop to do it. You need a open end box wrench (forget what size) and a set of allen wrenches to tighten the screw. Make sure your wheels are straight.

 

OK. What about if I need to change the steering box out completely? I found one on eBay for $125...it's a used one. Could I do that job myself, is it fairly simple?

 

I'd go new, or you could be facing the same problems you are now. I really have no idea how hard it is to do. I don't think it'd be *that* hard to do, but who knows.

 

Well, to replace it yourself, if that's what it truly needs, you'll need to know a few things.

1. You will need specialty tools for removing the drag link and pitman arm.

2.You'll need to remove the power steering lines so you'll have to replace the teflon seals, also according to ford the 3 bolts which fasten the steering gear to the frame "have a dry adhesive on the threads" so you can't reuse them. And of course you'll need some power steering fluid.

3. In other words If it was me I'd let the shop do it.

Sorry this isn't much help

 

Call Mike Crosby at Icon Vehicle Dynamics and tell him you know me.

I would bet the farm one of their trac bars and steering stablizer setups would cure this.

 

I doubt it, I have a heavy duty track bar that was fabricated by the off-road shop here that works on my truck, huge heim joints and a thicker bar than anything on the market....I'd take a picture but I don't have a camera right now
I know for sure I can check that off the list....but the steering stabilizers are just the Fabtech ones