In the last few months I have noticed my steering getting progressivly worse. If I'm on a flat road the truck tracks straight as an arrow. As soon as I get on a road with some slope to it, it takes about 1/16 - 1/8 of a turn of the steering wheel to correct it.

On the interstate with a good crosswind has me looking like a drunk going all over the road.

What are the things I could check?

I have plenty life left on the Michillens that are on the truck, and don't want to shorten their life by neglecting aged suspension parts.

The truck is an 01 2wd with 95k.

Thanks,
Josh

 

Ball joints, probably. The factory parts don't have grease fittings, so they don't last forever.

 

Anyone know of cost effective/long lasting parts with grease fittings?

 

Moog "problem solver" have zerks...put them on my 2wd and it tightened up steering a little. Has anyone ever replaced control arm bushings? I think they could be the source of the last bit of slop in my steering. The steering box is a little worn also...but it tracks straight with no pull.

 

Id check the ideler arm if your year has one? 01s have r+p? I dunno.

 

Get under the trucks front and have someone make short left-right turning inputs. Look for worn/loose play movement in any steering control part.

 

I'd start at the pitman arm and go out to tie rod ends. Next ball joints and control arm bushings. Just went through mine @ 150K miles. Use polyethelene bushings and get rid of the old rubber ones. They last longer and provide stiffer resistance and a lot more response to steering.

 

An 01 still has a steering box. They didn't go to the R&P until the next body style.

The earlier trucks do use idler arms though.

 

You can also try adjust the steering box by tighten the adjuster screw in about 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Try it and if the steering wheel is tighter you are on the right tract. It takes an allen and a box wrench at the same time.

If you over tighten the steering wheel will not return to center after a turn.