Stiff Steering issues

[JRJ04]

Since day 1 when i got my truck the steering has been stiff. at first i thought it was just the way it drove, but then i drove another one that was identical to mine and it was like driving an f 150. i have shot grease in all the certs, it has plenty of ps fluid and the ps works. Any ideas as to what it could be?

 

[DaveBen]

It is your steering dampener, Remove the steering shock and drive it.

Dave

 

[JRJ04]

Great news! Now how the heck do I do that and what does the steering dampener look like?

 

[JLDickmon]

it looks like a shock absorber, and it's attached to the steering linkage.

 

[JRJ04]

Yea i definately have seen that on there but never realized what it was. if i take it off will i be able to put it back on if i ever want?

 

[stroker21]

Yes you can put it back on.

 

[JRJ04]

so this is not on the steering column coming out from inside the truck, this is more on the steering linkage on the axle? It looks like a shock like you said. the part that is exposed is a bright shiny silver. Is this it? I just wanna be sure before i go start pulling stuff off.

 

[stroker21]

Yes, that should be it. It is on the front of the axle attached to the steering linkage.

 

[DaveBen]

Take the entire shock off, not just the silver piston. It will rattle and bang around if you leave one side attached. It will also cause the piston to warp (bend).

Dave

 

[JRJ04]

alrite i removed it and noticed very little difference in the stiffness. what else is there to do?