Steering questions

[Braker85]

Be careful with Moog. A lot of guys have had issues with their stuff.

[Braker85]

Some take the boot off and paint the joints. Supposedly that helps. I just use all XFR. Here's everything except the Pitman and idler arms

http://www.thetireclub.com/content.w...0_2wd_Kit.html

[Braker85]

They are running a special right now for $199 free shipping. They sell the idler for about $75. If im not mistaken you will need the longer idler arm......
http://www.thetireclub.com/ShopByVeh...20Arms&mode=PA

[SoCal Waite]

Some take the boot off and paint the joints. Supposedly that helps. I just use all XFR. Here's everything except the Pitman and idler arms

XRF Ford F150 | Expedition 2wd Ball Joint | Control Arm | Tie Rod End Suspension Rebuild Kit

Sumbich, thanks Braker! Thats a fantastic deal!

And my truck has the 2.48" bolt spacing on the idler arm, which is cool cause that one is $15 less! I think I'll wait on the pitman arm for now. I can revisit that if all the other parts don't fix my issue. 99% new front end for less than $300, hells yeah!

[BlairTruck]

They are running a special right now for $199 free shipping. They sell the idler for about $75. If im not mistaken you will need the longer idler arm......
2003 Ford Pickup F150 Lightning - Steering Linkages, Rods & Arms Parts -XRF,CONI-SEAL,XRF- The Tire Club

is this a pretty basic item to install. i would really like to front end rebuild, wonder if someone basic like myself could install. are any special tools needed. and what idler arm would i need. Link?

[SoCal Waite]

is this a pretty basic item to install. i would really like to front end rebuild, wonder if someone basic like myself could install. are any special tools needed. and what idler arm would i need. Link?

2003 Ford Pickup F150 Lightning - Steering Linkages, Rods & Arms Parts -XRF,CONI-SEAL,XRF- The Tire Club

The one for my truck is the first idler arm. With the 2.48" bolt spacing, the second one has a 3.43" spacing. Yours is likely the same one.

I think the only thing that might difficult is pressing the lower ball joints in. But I could find a machine shop to do it on a saturday around here I'm sure. I'm wondering if while I have the lower control arms off I should get some lower bushings too....thoughts??

[Harley#356]

Josh was that the *finger quoting (lol) "Bump Steer" kit seen here? LFP Bump Steer Stabilizer Kit Ford Lightning / Harley at LightningForcePerformance.com - Your American Muscle Parts Depot that you're talking about?

I ask because today I had a weird experience, braking to a stop sign from about 50 mph, I hit a small bump and my steering wheel started to shimmy pretty bad. At least 1/2" back and forth until I slowed below 20. I have not seen this before, and could not induce it again. I put the truck in the air, and checked all the control arms, ball joints, steering joints, sway bar & bushings, lug nuts, both hubs, shocks front and rear, as well as leaf springs for good measure. Nothing felt loose or showed abnormal wear, though I did find my left front tire was about 8psi lower than the right front, but I doubt that would do this. The one thing I did find that was peculiar was with the tires off the ground still I could shake the steering wheel left to right about 1/2" (as it did on the road today) and the wheels where not moving. Maybe my steering box going bad? The alignment shop said it was worn, but not enough to replace. The tires are the Kumho's (I hate them, but will replace them when needed) 275/45's.

Sorry for thread jacking, but its still on subject...kinda.

that's the steering stabilizer I'm talking about. As mentioned it won't fix the issue you're seeing, something else is worn out in your case, but I'd still recommend the steering stabilizer mod once you sort out what's worn. Also it's not a bump steer kit as LFP calls it, bump steer is something different beyond what the steering stabilizer does and is due to suspension geometry.

[SoCal Waite]

bump steer is something different beyond what the steering stabilizer does and is due to suspension geometry.

That was my lol and quote, I found it pretty funny they called it that though.

But I'll rebuild the front end, then add the stabilizer later.

[SoCal Waite]

Okay guys, back to this one...I just got off the phone with the alignment shop that aligned my truck. They said that my trucks tires were marginal at best when they did the alignment in Dec. They also said that my steering gear and coupler shaft were pretty worn out. They are claiming that the combo of these three things is likely the cause of the death wobble.

They said that rebuilding my whole steering system would be a waste of time and money as all the ball joints and bushings are good, and the idler arm is in great shape too. They say I should start with tires then look at the box and shaft.

Do those of you with the knowledge think this is a is the route I should head or rebuild the whole front end. The box is $400, and the shaft it a Ford only part, so another $400...ugh!