by Mark Nixon » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:12 am
Is it a 2 wheel drive?
If so, look at ALL of the jointed areas on the solid crossbar, especially the idler arm and pitman arm areas.
The pitman and idler arms may seem tight, but they have a bad propensity of ovalling out the hole that the taper passes through.
Take the nut off, separate the joint (if it falls loose, there's your answer) and look for wear around the tapered hole.
Check all of the upper and lower ball joints.
Also, check the steering shaft coupler on the steering box, very common for it to go bad, too.
Basically check EVERYTHING that can be a loose point and if you don't know how to do it, go to a truck shop that does DOT inspections, I GUARANTEE they can tell you where it's loose at.
Best way I have seen to check "floating" joints like tie rod ends and idler/pitman is to squeeze the joint in a large pair of channel lock pliers, if it moves noticeably, it needs replaced.
Balljoints are checked by jacking up the lower control arm, away from the lower balljoint, and using a bar to try to move the balljoints around, anything over @ 3/16" in any direction is too much on lowers and uppers.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND BEARINGS FOR EXECESSIVE WARPAGE AND BEARING PLAY!
Mark.