Hey Guys,

I have a '96 F150 4x4 extended cab, automatic, with a 302.

The truck pulls to the left while driving. The truck drove like a dream before summer, when it developed a bad U-Joint. I got those problems addressed maybe two months ago, I had the front u-joints, brakes, and hubs changed from auto to manual. I have new tires on it. It did it before this work was done, but I cant seem to figure out what is wrong. The ball joints are tight. The connecting Tie rod from the pitman arm has a little, and I mean a LITTLE play in it, but not much. The rest of the steering looks tight. The wheels spin freely with the hubs unlocked, so nothing is binding up there. I brought it in for an alignment, but that did not cure the problem. I swapped tires from side to side with no avail. I plan on replacing that connecting tie rod this weekend and bringing it back to have the alingment double checked, but I think that is ok too, because it goes straight with the wheel, but you are always correcting it just a bit. As soon as you let go, it slides left.

Any clues?

 

My ranger did this, Fixed Drag-link did the trick

 

I had an issue like this, EXCEPT I replaced all the worn parts (pitman arm, inner and outer tie-rods, ball joints) and it STILL wandered. Both the I-beam bushings were good too. I think mine might have been the steering sector lash being out...or I needed a stabilizer

 

pulling to the right can only be 3 things...

either different height tires being on the front...Radius Rod Bushing shot or gone/missing...or Toe in/out not within spec and this will eat the outter edges of the tires...

check to make sure infact the tires are the same height even though they maybe marked the same...even one a 1/2in taller will make it pull

 

I did replace the radius arm bushings and bracket on the drivers side. I will check the tires this weekend when I replace the drag link, but it pulled before with the previous set, so I doubt it. Any way the steering gear or maybe a back brake could be the culprit?

 

If this ^ is similar to your problem I would loosen your steering gear adjustment screw a little(counter clockwise). See if that helps. Mine is pulling to the left too... gets worse when I go hard right and it won't return straight.

 

Any road noise going around turns?? I had a 2wd 1997 that would pull when the bearings started to go bad.

 

Mine carries a loud pop when I turn hard right..don't know if thats what you meant by road noise.

 

Well we put a new drag link in tonight to no avail. There are no unusual sounds coming from the front end. I am a Ford guy through and through but this really ticks me off. I was never a big fan of the Twin I-beam setup, and this is not helping. I am really thinking it is the gear itself that is the problem. I have not touched the gear in 3 years when I last tightened it. If anything right now the steering feels loose, but everything underneath is tight. I will let you know what I find.

 

No the road noise is like a sceaming sound when going around a turn, it can also sound like a ride in a 4wd with large tires but that just depends on tires.
As far as the popping sound grease you ball joints/kin pin and while your under probably would not hurt to grease tie rod ends