This is my first post.
I have a 93 f150 super cab 4x4.
It is in great shape and only has 80XXX miles but I'm having steering issues.
When I am turning left I can feel a clunk and then when the road straightens out the truck keeps pulling left. Same goes when I turn right.
Is this a symptom of a bad idler or pitman arm? I know it needs u-joints but I can't see that as being the issue.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Worn out rubber bushing on your radius arm. Fairly easy to fix if your truck isn't a rust bucket.

 

You are experiencing memory steer, you have a dry ball joint and/or dry socket tie rod end.

 

I checked the bushings on the radius arm and they are both solid. I'll check the ball joints and tie rod ends and see what I can find. Any other suggestions?

 

Moved to 87'-96' section.

 

When you disconnect the outer tie rods from the steering knuckle you should be able to turn the knuckle easily from stop to stop usually it's the lower ball joints that bind up but has happened to uppers, I would replace all 4 if money isn't tight. testing the steering linkage just use a pair of pliers and see if you can move them, if they move and don;t make any noise or have excessive play then they are good. Align the front end when done.

 

If all components are good, poor alignment can cause steering to fail to center.

 

you will find rockauto.com your best bet for ball joints and such. thats where i got all my tie rods and ball joints.

two things to keep in mind.
1 based on your info have you thought about bad wheel bearings. when was the last time you did your brakes and replaced these.

2 also did you just look at the radius arm bushings or did you have someone turn the wheel while you did your inspection. mine looked good till i saw them jumping around in the bracket.

 

have a friend get in the truck with it turned off but the steering unlocked, have him turn the wheel side to side, and check the frame for any cracks, also check your cross member rivets, pretty much any parts moving that are not supposed to, they are known to frame crack, and i know first hand what happens when your cross member rivets all snap..