My truck has this "tick" in the steering wheel. Dont have any specific time to do it, but notice it more in wind. Dont do it more or less over bumps, or smooth road. It could do it on a smooth road and when I get in bumps it may stop, though the truck does feel unstable on bumps and in wind. Last year I changed the upper/lower ball joints, inner tie rod ends, all 4 shocks and sway bar end links. The new end links arent looking to good either, not really worn, the bushings are still there but the end link looks like it could use some tightining up, but I figure if I am going to mess with it again I just assume put a new set on. I just replaced tires about a week ago thinking one of the tires were bad but it still does it. Just replaced the rear shoes and drums and probably have a warped rotor from the problem that was taking place back there. I checked out the tie rod ends and ball joints and there is no play in those. Would a warped rotor or the sway bar links cause this? Truck is a 97 F-150 2WD with M5OD.
Wobble, Wobble?
- Thread starter 97f150
- Start date
- Status
Might also double check the bolts holding the steering gear in place. I have a 79 F-150 4x4 (distant cousin) that developed a really bad/wobble/tick. Found out that that frame had cracked a bit where the steering box bolts to it. One new 3/8" plate, some welding, and new bolts solved the problem.
Is the rag joint connecting the steering shaft to the steering box in good shape?
Also check the sway bar mounts to the frame. Always surprising how many things can loosen up over time!
Also noted that you plan to replace the inner tie rod too, so that may be a good time to go over all the mounting points.
Good luck.
Is the rag joint connecting the steering shaft to the steering box in good shape?
Also check the sway bar mounts to the frame. Always surprising how many things can loosen up over time!
Also noted that you plan to replace the inner tie rod too, so that may be a good time to go over all the mounting points.
Good luck.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,798
When did this start? Sounds, sorta, like a caster problem ..but the wind thing I can't quite figure. I didn't see any mention of alignment ..but I'll assume it since it would be my first stop after doing any front end work.
Sway bar links can cause an odd feel to the front end. This is especially true if they have their own ball joint socket on them. My wife's jeep had some annoying issues that I couldn't lock down ..until one of the links wore enough to cause a clunk. Replaced both ($70 from any number of suppliers
) and noticed the smoothness return.
Sway bar links can cause an odd feel to the front end. This is especially true if they have their own ball joint socket on them. My wife's jeep had some annoying issues that I couldn't lock down ..until one of the links wore enough to cause a clunk. Replaced both ($70 from any number of suppliers
Thanks for the reply Gary, I was also thinking alignment as well. I had it aligned after the front end work was completed but I do drive around on messed up roads 90% of the time. The shaking started a couple weeks ago back when I had my old set of tires on. I went ahead and replaced the sway bar end links again yesterday shortly after posting this and the viberation is still there, although not as pronounced. In the next week or two I will change out the inner tie rod ends and have another alignment done and go from there. I messed up in my original post, it was the outer tie rod ends that was changed last year not the inners.
- Status