1999 F350 4WD FRT SUSPENSION ISSUES

[Jer's 99]

When I bought my truck (about 3 months ago) it had steering problems, but I figured an alignment and it would be alright; NOT THE CASE HERE!

I took it to get the alignment and the shop gives me an $810 estimate (including alignment-WOW). Their issue was, they were not going to align the truck when it needs work; good for them and my wallet, but the problems noted were that I needed to replace all of my ball joints and the upper part of my drag link where it connects to the pitman arm - - - $810!!!

Of course I said no and began to shop around.

PROBLEMS: While driving I constantly have to correct the steering to not only stay in my lane, but to go straight. It is not real bad, but when I drive the wife's Sorento it drives like a dream, no corrections or vering at all. Now I do have a 6" lift and 37" tires.

CORRECTIVE STEPS SO FAR: I replaced the stock steering stableizer (duh why wouldn't I) and added a Fabtech dual stableizer in the stock location, it is not opposing, though that is what I ordered).

Other issues that occur as well: when I am trying to park in a parking lot and need to do a lot of steering the front end knocks (not constant, just periodically). When I am driving on rough roads or over rail road tracks the drivers side has other sounds emmiting as if my front bolt attaching the leafs to the frame is loose or something.

So here is my question... What wears in these truck (I am at 134K) and if I replace the ball joints, will that aid in the truck not vering or needing to be corrected? Also I know with my lift I need one of those aftermarket brackets for the lower end of my drag link to "relocate it" making less tension on some of the components, but will replacing the uper portion of the drag link and relocating the lower portion help with my issues as well?

I called a local parts store and priced outter, inner tie rod ends (reusing adjustment sleeves), entire drag link, and all ball joints for a grand total of roughly $550. My goal in doing all of that is to update my gear and replace the old crap... I tried to grease all of the areas that had fittings and grease went in and grease came out the hole(s) that have been worn into them by age. My goal is to gain a better ride, very limited noise and a much higher level of handling on the road and in parking lots.


Am I on the right track? Is there something I'm missing? Can I buy an entire kit (in a ball-park price I mentioned above)? Should I upgrade any components above stock?

Any help would greatly be appreciated and taken - - - - - Thanks in advance, I'm sure some knowledge will follow this post.

 

[DaveBen]

You need all of the ball joints and links in the steering. They are worn out and are sloppy. You can't put in enough grease to fix that. They can be hard to change if you don't have the proper tools and knowledge. With the lift and big tires you have no choice.

Dave

 

[Jer's 99]

So if I replace my ball joints and the link(s) (the links being drag link and tie rods?) I should be a whole lot better!!!!

 

[DaveBen]

Absolutely!!

Dave

 

[Jer's 99]

Dave, I appreciate all your help buddy ... That's what I gotta do then, change my old junk to newer stuff .

I just hope my buddy has a guy to do this on the side; I hate paying full price because the effort is hit and miss and quality rarely meets my standards. When someone wants to do something on the side, it tells me that they are compitent and actually want to do the job for money.

 

[DaveBen]

Good luck Jer, and let us know what happens.

Dave

 

[Jer's 99]

BUMP


I am having trouble locating a drag ling relocating bracket. Between the pitman arm and the link is there a really good position to relocate to... having a 6" lift. I found a 2.5" on EBay, but it's only 2.5" and I've ajusted my height by 6", do't I need to relocate to more?


Also, I still haven't done any work, but should I be thinking about rebuilding my hubs or bearings or something in the mix? I am aiming to spend around $1,000 (I know WOW) on steps and front end work, so I want to plan on safety for now and of course longevity too...

Any help would be greatly appreciated and used, thanks guys....

 

[patrickc]

My truck rides on 38's and has an 8 inch lift in it. Are you talking about the correcting the drag link or the trac bar? Did you not put a drop pitman arm and trac bar relocation brackets in when you installed your lift? If you did that should be plenty of steering correction.

I have noticed with mine that the ball joints tend not to last as long with the bigger tires (more stress) so I would buy a good quality set such as moog. At least that way the parts are guaranteed for life. I would also use moog tie rod ends and drag link. I have replaced my ball joints twice and upper drag link end once

My truck clunked in the front end I found that it was the trac bar making the noise and replaced it with an adjustable skyjacker. It has been noise free since. If the trac bar is too short it will also throw your truck around on the road.

There is no reason to worry about hubs or bearings unless they are noisy or not working properly. When you do the ball joints you should replace the front hub seals (large o-ring) and the inner bearing/hub seals. It is also a good time to think about front u-joints because you have to remove the axle shafts anyway. Last time I bought the seals for mine it was about $125. U-joints are about $100.

 

[Jer's 99]

I didn't lift my truck, it was like that upon purchase. I'm thinking this guy went cheap because when I bought it she had 37's and after I drove it for a while I noticed plugs in the tires and they were worn down pretty far, so that was $2,000 to replace (new wheels and tires).

Anyway, after reading your post and talking to a buddy, we have decided to go with a 4" to 6" drop pitman arm, Moog ball joints w/ grease fittings, replace the top end of my drag link and change the O-Rings as well.

The only place I can find a drop pitman arm is EBay (for around $60-70 shipped) and I have not ben able to find anything on the top end of my drag link, nor Moog ball joints either.... Can anyone help me here with website(s) information for a 1999 F350? Thanks Patrick, you helped alot

 

[Diamond B Ranch]

Make sure you replace the adjusting sleeve as well as the tie rod. The threads on the tie rod have been known to wear down and allow some movement. If there is any wear on the threads of the tie rod ends at the adjusting sleeve, you can be sure the adjuster has it also. If you are replaceing the rest of the tie rod, go ahead and get the adjuster also. It does not make sense to replace all your steering linkage and keep one old piece that reaaly does not cost all that much. Just my $.02