Good morning everyone!
I drove the truck yesterday for the first time since the new tires, new ball joints and new tie rod. I agree with my husband in that it is better but not 100%. It does seem to want to return to center more than before, but just can't quite get there. It seems there is less play in the steering wheel, so you don't have far to turn the wheel to "drive" it straight. A little tricky to get used to (to find the sweet spot), but better.
We made progress last night!! With my husband under the truck and me inside the cab, he watched the steering gear turn under the truck as I turned the wheel in the truck (truck was off, key in the AC position). If you picture the Ford emblem as pointing to 3 and 9, this is what we found - I could turn the wheel back and forth quite a distance before my husband could see it move under the truck. He did not see anything move under the truck until I got to 2 and 4 (10 and 8 on the left). Seeing that convinced him that there might actually be something wrong in the steering gear box. Remember, two shops checked the box and said it was fine. So, he tightened the box one full turn and took it for a drive. He found there was NO play in the wheel, it was harder to turn and it did not return to center. Back under the truck. He loosened the gear box two full turns. So, from the original position, it is now one full turn looser. Took it for a drive. Now, it returns to center, but there is more play in the wheel. Even with the added play, he says MUCH improved!! So, we are on the path to replacing with a Red Head Gear Box. I don't know when, but it will be soon.
Thanks everyone for your help and input on our issue. I think it was this forum that enlightened me to the phrase "won't return to center". That's exactly what the problem is, which I was describing as "wander".
Now that we are on the right track to getting the truck going straight, we can adjust the WDH/sway hitch and I think we will be all set. Finally, happy campers!!
I'll keep you posted on the gear box replacement and anything else that comes up.
Kristy
