I took my truck to the garage for an alignment an they found out that the passenger side steering knuckle is bent. They think that it might be from the suspension lift putting a lot of stress on the knuckle. Has anyone heard of this happening before? The truck was hit in the front on that side at one time and I am thinking it might be from that. Anyway, I need a new knuckle and was wondering if there is an aftermarket knuckle that is more heavy duty than the stock one.

 

Anyone have this problem before?

 

i do agree with your truck being hit causing the bent knuckle...im calling BS on the lift causing it though...steering knuckles are pretty stout

 

Ya there is no way the knuckle would bend just from everyday use, it was definitely caused by the accident or something else that would have knocked it really hard.

 

Not real sure about this model, but Ford has lately taken to using aluminum alloy for front steering knuckles, instead of steel/nodular iron. Obviously, these might bend more easily if aluminum.

If that's all in the way of fixing the ride, replace the damn knuckle, and see if it bends again! If lift responsible, why only one side bent?

Just a thought.

imp

 

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I'll just replace the knuckle and keep and eye on it.

 

Better quit jumping it!

 

A friend hit a guard rail with his 98 f150 4x4 and broke the knuckle.
He got one cheap from the auto wreckers,
It's not from the lift unless your bagging the truck a little harder then you should!

 

If you have an older trailmaster 4" lift, these retained the stock knuckle and made use of an upper ball joint spacer, (bad design) this put more leverage on the stock knuckle than it was designed for...

My buddy had this setup at one point, he hit a snowbank and bent the knuckle pretty bad... Then hit a pothole and bent the replacement... He was done with that lift setup shortly after that...

 

Good thinking, finally, on his part! (No fan of lifting, really, just an old fart!). imp