I have a 1993 F-150 2wd 4.9 reg cab. The steering is very loose but I just adjust my driving....What I dont like is when I brake hard, the truck want to do a 90 degree left turn, unless I compensate with the steering wheel. I jacked the front of the truck up and placed my hands on the 2 front tires at 12 and 6 oclock and it seemed tight. Now at 9 and 3 oclock it had about 1-2 inches of play. Would that be the loose steering gear???? Tie rod ends????? Also it takes some manual effort to turn both front tires lifted off the ground as if the calipers are pushing on the rotors...bad calipers????? Some help please, I drive my truck daily and I feel more unsafe daily....

 

I had the same problem with my brakes. I'd hit the brakes and the truck would swerve to the right so I jacked up both front wheels and spun them. The right didn't freely spin but the left did. When I went to purchase a new caliper they had the option of getting metal pistion calipers instead of the cheap fiber ones from the factory. The fiber expands when it gets too hot and sticks closed. So I went all out on my front brakes. New rotors, bearings, pads, and metal piston calipers. I can let go of the steering wheel and slam on the brakes its that much better. If you do go to the metal calipers change out both sides cause you'll be uneven again. As for the loose steering, just take it to an alignment shop and ask them to check your front end out. Might charge you a bit, but its always better to get some professional eyes on it.

 

The front tires are very hard to turn while jacked up......does this mean two bad calipers????? Could this also be a rear braking issue?

 

I have had the rubber brake hoses go bad. If you look at the hoses they look fine but the inside is where the problem lies. Jack the front up and step on the brakes hard then loosen your bleeder screws on the calipers. If its the hoses the calipers will let off when you crack the bleeder loose. You will be able to spin the tire like normal. If you do this and the calipers don't let off and the tire is still hard to spin then you have bad calipers. I always do this before replacing calipers because it could just be a $15 dollar hose instead of the caliper.

 

ok sweet thanks alot!!!