so i'm starting to get under my '02 truck that i recently bought.

i lifted one front tire off the ground to see how tight the steering linkage is. there is probably 6" of slop for the front of the tire to move left and right. same thing when i lift the other side.

is this definitely ball joint time? or can there be something else?

also... if i fix that slop and get an alignment, and new tires, is there anything else that would keep the steering wheel from sitting right at 12 o'clock when driving straight?

thanks.

sounds like u need a pitman & idler arm, oh dont forget about idler bracket. afterwards get an alignment.

swell.

-:t

thanks.

is this a DIY job, or for the shop?

is this a DIY job, or for the shop?
If you have the right tools, you can do it yourself. You have to go get an alignment afterward, too. IIRC, someone just did a set, said the idler was ok, but the pittman was a pain. I couldn't find the thread in my search. Someone will chime in.


This truck you bought had a few issues, didn't it? Sorry you're going through it, but you'll love the truck when you're done.

Tom

IIRC?



This truck you bought had a few issues, didn't it? Sorry you're going through it, but you'll love the truck when you're done.

Tom
no big surprises yet. i usually buy new, so this is a new experience going through the sluething. sherlock holmes trying to find anything. i just sent in the truck's urinalysis to the lab to see what was going in the oil. that should be a pretty good tell on what to expect.

i priced in a couple grand out of the chute to get these type of things done. but i'm not out of the weeds yet... i'm still holding my breath for any biggies. the only thing that bumms me out is how they got to the power in the fuse box. someone just *stuffed* a bullet connecter into a junction, with no fuse. :eek: ... makes me kinda wonder if they were like that with things i can't see.

i already love the truck. crazy how much i love it. changes the way i feel about driving. i bought it to haul a couple heavy trailer loads accross country for a move and then own it while i build a new house. i reckon when i'm done, i might end up buying a new '06 :ro) .

that would be me. tools needed: pitman arm puller, assorted metric sockets, 1 5/16 socket for pitman nut, torque wrench, & lots of patience. try looking in the search for pitman arm puller, i seen a compact puller that looks easier than typical puller. i can give u a rough idea on how to do it, what to do & not to do. any questions pm me.

i can give u a rough idea on how to do it, what to do & not to do. any questions pm me.
i brought it into the shop yesterday for a complete inspection. i figgered i only want to fix what is broke. in the steering, the idler arm needed rr; 90 bucks labor, i let them fix that one.

got aligned up straight and i am now cruising straight as an arrow with no slop.

the only surprise was a bad rear axle seal. i had that repaired because i really don't feel like a new rear end, and i wanted the diff fluid changed anyhow. but... he said that some gear oil got on my parking brake. said that if i am a parking brake user, it can stick or something like that? it was kind of in passing that he said that, but does that make any sense and should i clean or replace something?

thanks.