Front End "Floating" sensation

[Somemedic]

While driving at speed the front end has a tendancy to drift slightly. I just replaced the shocks and steering damper, Im guessing ball joints are on the horizon. As I recall theyre not too pricey but are they a PITA??? Air tools a must?

FWIW I havent lifted the front end up and tried shaking the tire (12oclock / 6oclock positions) but I have this crazy feeling.

 

[tsmall07]

If it is the ball joints, they aren't too hard to replace. You will need a hub socket for that 10 bolt, but air tools aren't needed. You'll also need a pickle for and a BFH. Once you get the knuckle off, you should take it to a shop to have the old BJs pressed out and the new ones pressed in.

 

[Somemedic]

After some quick reading it COULD be a sloppy pitman arm.

How does one check that for sloppyiness?

 

[tsmall07]

I'd say you need to replace a TRE somewhere. To check, jack up the truck and try to turn the tires left and right and have a friend look at the joints to see if there is any movement in the joint.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

Hmm....

I would check both draglink ends, both tie rod ends, and the balljoints. You can't have a worn pitman arm as it doesn't actually contain a joint in itself.

In a way, just be glad you don't have kingpins Not hard to replace either, but the top ones can be a pain!

 

[68impalass]

I'm thinking maybe your toe in is "towed out". that would cause wandering. Just my 2 cents

 

[Somemedic]

It doesnt go to one side specificly. When my dad drove the truck he said it was pretty noticable (I thought it was my imagination). I will take a look and let you know what I find.

 

[beaubeau]

Don;t jack up the vehicle. Have someone Shake the sreering wheel back and forth Quickly, as you check out the Tie rod ends, {also Listen closely, if Bad you can sometimes hear it Clunk} the Drag link, from steering box to left Knuckle. If all is tight, then go for Steering box bolts and then check Toe in or out. You can check this out wiyh a tape measure. I adjust mine at about 1/16 to 1/8 in toe in. Good luck, Phil

 

[jms8109]

what steering damper should i get for my bobbed m35a2?

 

[Cucvnut]

what steering damper should i get for my bobbed m35a2?

why are you asking this in the CUCV section ?

 

[Gottlos]

I would have the alignment checked out. As 68impalass mentioned the toe in/out could be off. My M1009 felt like it was tracking weird. Kind of like running on tip toes. Found out my alignment was off.