buckethead

Hi Peeps,

Long time viewer...first time typer! I have a 1998 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 extended cab with a 4.6L and auto tranny. About a month ago I was driving down the road and the steering wheel starting jerking to the left...start out feeling like I had a flat tire. Got out...couldn't find anything wrong besides a sway bar bushing was broken. Got it towwed to the garage...they looked at it the next morning and said nothing was wrong with it. I disagree! Told me the bushing wouldn't cause it to do what it did and never fixed it. So, since then it hasn't happened again...until tonight when I was cruising along and the steering wheel started jerking to the left again along with some metal on metal rubbing sounds in the front of the truck...from the drivers side it sounded like. Got out and looked and nothing again. Seems to me that it could maybe be the power steering pump of the steering box. Any ideas? Seems like it only happens after it warms up and I've been driving for awhile when it happens. Also, always the day after I washed it too? Maybe she likes to be a dirty little truck!! Any info would be appreicieated! THANKS!

Ty

sounds like the main bearing on the hub is seizing up.

NGM

Try taking the hubs apart and inspecting and re-packing the bearings. No a broken sway bar bushing isnt going to cause this.

dewman

A broken sway bar bushing won't cause that, but the shop should have either fixed it, or recommended it be fixed.

transmaster

Agreed hub bearing, or perhaps a frozen disk brake caliper. bottom line is the parts in question need to come appart and get inspected. If you have a bearing that is hanging up it needs to be replaced. Good Luck.

TRITON7700

i agree that the hub is goin bad. it is a sealed unit so you gotta replace the wheel bearing assembly. drivin for awhile causes the ball-bearings to get over heated thus making it turn harder. its a good possibility.

buckethead

How hard is it to change the hub bearings in these? I was told not hard...but I figured I'd ask you guys anyway. Thanks for the information.

transmaster

NAPA has the assembly for $254.00, Autozone has the part for $206.00, Checker Auto for 149.95

Attachment 861

transmaster

As you can see this is not a cheap part, before I changed this hub assembly out I would make darn sure this is what is causing the front end pulling. I would normally change out both bearing sets but at this price unless you have deeper pockets then I, I wouldn't.

buckethead

It's the CV joint! Got it all checked out and there's nothing loose in front end. It happened again the other night and I had a friend with me and got him to turn the steering wheel while I got out and looked. Everytime he turned it to the right it looks like something in the CV shaft was kinking it up and holding back from letting the steering wheel turn all the way to the right. Never actually got it checked for the CV shaft yet but I'm just going to change the whole shaft on both sides and see how that works. I'll let you know. I need one on the left side anyway....that's why I'm changing both.