Well I got 60K on the clock and OL'gray is wandering a little going down the road so I am going to do ball joints, axle u joints and check wheel bearings in the morning. This will be the first time to tear into it so any advice is welcome.
Thanks in advance,
T398

 

http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/steeringsuspension.htm


I haven't got one of these yet, but it is on my list of future mods. So far I am not having any problems with mine at 48K. But, it is another item to consider adding to your truck to help with that problem.

 

Try adjusting your steering box first. I described how to do this in great detail in a previous post so do a search. My truck drives better than new with 85k now and origional ball joints. I have noticed my ball joints have a little play in them now and I will change them soon but it still drives like a dream. My front axle bearings (wheel bearings) went out at about 67k and it wandered then. They were changed under warranty but it still had play. Thats when I started in on the steering box. Only with my truck and the repairs done that is the order in witch my items needed attention.
Axle beraings at 67k
Steering box at 68k (adjusted)
- and I cranked it a lot, very sloppy
Ball joints at 85k

 

bad tie rod ends?
bad drag link ends?
bad track bar ends?

your axle ujoints will not make your truck wander
the ball joints might but the tie rod etc should wear out sooner

if your truck isn't chewing tires i wouldn't guess it was your ball joints

i would look at the stering setup first

 

TexasCTD, That got added to the list, now just the greenbacks.

ATTABOY9026, Thanks for the heads up on the steering box, I ended up finding your thread and gave it about a 1/4 turn and seems to have tightened things up.

RockHound, As for the steering I could not find any play at all in any of the tie rods, drag link etc. As mentioned above I do beleive the box was loose.

So this is what I ended up doing all together, replaced both upper ball joints(MOOG) both axle ujoints(neapco) (had to do the right side, it was toast. It rained here the other day pretty good and she blew rust all over my wheel), and the lower left ball joint(MOOG), and tightened up the steering box a 1/4 turn. Can't tell for sure what helped the most but OL'Gray is driving better than new now.

Thanks for the advice guys,
T398