hey guys i got a question about the steering. my truck wanders really bad. I adjusted the steering box to get the play out of the wheel. but it still wanders around. i just rotated my tires yesterday to see if that helped, did a little but still wanders real good. I dont know much about steering components so was wondering if you guys can help me pin point the problem and how to check it. I searched but everything is for 4wd. and i know that my steering is diferent. the truck has about 128,000 on it. and the power steering pump turns good so i dont think its that, might need to be flushed though. any help is much appreciated cuz im scared to drive on the highway!

 

heh, ever seens ive had my truck Id have to over compensate my driving with it to stay within lines, I got used to it.. although when I drive my wife's car I seem to wander allot since im over over compensating

 

take a look at your trac bar guys ...

 

You might want to try moving each of the front tires from the top and also from the sides by pulling and pushing each back and forth. If there is any slack and it moves, it may be your bearing assembly or ball joints. Try and determine where the slack is by watching where it moves. I just replaced both of the wheel bearing assemblies on mine this week. The passenger side was very bad, (the tire was actually leaning a little inward at the top) but I replaced the driver side as preventive maintenance; it had a busted lug bolt on it anyway so it was another reason to change it at the same time. My truck used to wander while on the highway worse than it does now. I know I still need to replace the ball joint on the steering linkage on the passenger side because it is a little loose, but only slightly. Worn bearings and loose steering component ball joints will definitely cause wandering issues. I believe some wandering may be typical, but definitely look at all of the front end components. Something like the bearing assembly, when it completely fails, would be a disaster waiting to happen. These things should be easy to find if they are going bad by checking to see if anything is loose as I mentioned.

 

Mine might be because my rear shocks are shot

 

the original poster has a 2wd...

add more caster into your alignment and it will help it to track straight... this of course is assuming all of your steering components are in good shape.

 

For 2wd the pitman arm has a ball joint end so it wears out like 4wd track bars. Replace the pitman arm and check all the other tie rods for play. The steering box also may have a mm or so of wiggle in the output shaft which translates to a couple inches of play. Mine does. Don't mess with alignment until all parts are confirmed tight. Good luck.

 

thanx for the help guys. like i said im new to steering so what is the pitman arm and does anyone have a pic? i went outside and tried to wiggle the tires and no play. crawled underneath to try and find(pitman arm) but i dont know what im looking for. noticed that its probly about time to change all the bushings. it doesnt look like they have ever been changed. could that cuase it to wander? and does anyone make a kit for all the bushings?

 

anything?? i just drove it and its KILLING my mpg and its all over the highway. i need help i want to get it fixed tomarrow(payday). would it be easier to take it to an alignment shop?

 

just got paid anyhelp??