I have replaced all the font end steering components, except ball joints which were replaced a year ago, also I just replaced the steering box, pitman arm, and its been aligned. My question is, my truck still wants to wander a little, almost like bump steer. Straight line, smooth road, no problem, hit a decent bump in the road of any kind and it tends to want to wander. Cant say that it darts off in some direction, seems slower than that if that makes any sense. I did start noticing that it wanted to wander a little, about 3 years ago when I put new tires on it. Will different tires do this? They arent trying to follow grooves in the road or anything, its not like that. The steering wheel doesnt jerk or anything, you just hit a bump and it tends to want to move around a little. Any other bushings or anything I should be looking at? Steering stabilizer help? I would try different tires, but as we all know, swapping out tires to hope it may fix something is rather expensive. Anyone have any ideas? ALSO, when I put the new steering box in, I noticed that the input shaft, you could turn it a little with zero movement on the output shaft.. is this normal or should they be so tight that there absolutely zero movement on the input, without the output turning right along with it?? I thought I read somewhere that there should be a little when it is directly centered, wheels pointed straight but I may be wrong. Other than that, it drives like a dream. Kind of thinking its just the tires since I remember a difference right after getting them, but Im just not certain. Thinking of trying a steering stabilizer, and maybe different shocks, but dont know if that will help. Any ideas?

 

make sure you have checked the tie-rods and idler-arm well...

shocks being worn and mis-matched tires on the front will make it wander...

also radius arm bushings will make it wander... thats about it....

ball-joints...? not so much

 

Hmmm, let's see. First, mismatched tires can make it wander. How about the wheels? Incorrect wheels (too wide; incorrect offset; wrong wheels adapted on with some of those converter things. You know, Chevy wheels on a ford. ) can pull it around. Is it level? Too high in the front can do that. Are you sure of the alignment? Wouldn't hurt to have it checked. And of course, re-checking all the front end parts. You never know...

 

Caster

 

^^^2nd that and what are u running for air pressure in your tires?

 

Tie rods are new..tires are in great shape and not mismatched, air pressure doesn't effect it but will check again. Will also check again. Wheels are factory, and running 31x10.5-15 tires.

 

Last time I checked was running 38psi tire pressure.

 

I'd go back to the previous suggestion of radius arm bushings.

 

If I remember right I think I recently saw the torque on those radius arm nuts is 300ft lbs? Without a hoist, how would you put that kind of torque on them under the truck? I have replaced them on the past, they don't look worn at all, but pretty sure I never put 300 on them. I have an impact that will go well beyond that, but how would you judge?

 

I just snugged them down with an impact gun...

you could be running too much air in those tires.. if nothing else seems out of wack lower them to 25psi and see how it feels..

are they steel belted radials or Bias ply????

some of your cheaper big tires are bias ply and that alone will cause wonder steer