Did I break my balls today?

[SlicksInRain]

My truck won't stay straight anymore. Could it be the ball joints or is it worse?



If it is the ball joints how easy is it to change them?

Thanks.

 

[JDNobodi]

You need to find a better woman if she breaking your balls like Kate does on that reality show. A man does not need that kind of grief. Do what Jon did and go out with the baby sitter.

In all seriousness, you should check out what is really loose before you replace any thing. You could be replacing something just for the "heck of it" just to find out the problem is something else.
You could replace those ball joints, but later find out the steering box is loose.

Jack up a tire, move the tire by hand up and down (with a pry bar under the tire), side-to-side watching the steering and suspension joints.
As for replacing ball joints, it is a time consuming job with a need for specialty tools. I don't what to get into detail on how to do it now since I'm going to bed.

 

[jonathon]

I'll second JD..

My 89 project had a whole sh!t pile wrong with the front end, damn thing needed new ball joints, wheel bearings, spindle nuts(only one side but I ended up doing both), tie rod ends, drag link ends and a steering box finally. All of it was bad and the damn thing would hop all over the road and do it's own thing, however the steering box was the last thing it needed to be safe to drive. I've nicknamed the PO of my 89 sh!t for brains

Ball joints are a start, but be prepared in case you've got more wrong than you thought. On the plus side you can get used boxes for cheap.. I paid $20 for one from a k20 Suburban and it worked. I plan to rebuild the old one for a spare.

 

[SlicksInRain]

Where is that box?

Doe Napa sell them new or rebuilt?

 

[lectric80]

Where is that box?

Doe Napa sell them new or rebuilt?

If you are talking about the steering box, Napa does carry them but rebuilt units are spendy. The last one I bought for an Astro van cost me around $350 with my discounts at Napa.

As for where it is, it mounts on the frame next to the driver's side tire.

 

[SlicksInRain]

Sounds like this is going to cost me.

Bye Bye Blazer... for the time being.

 

[lectric80]

As was mentioned, you could always grab a used box out of a junkyard and use it. You don't need to go spend money on a rebuilt box, and you should focus on locating the actual issue first.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

You need to find a better woman if she breaking your balls like Kate does on that reality show. A man does not need that kind of grief. Do what Jon did and go out with the baby sitter.

 

[JDNobodi]

Sounds like this is going to cost me.

Bye Bye Blazer... for the time being.

The steering box was an example. That is why I said to find out really wrong first before you go replacing parts you don't need, especially if you are on a budget.

 

[SlicksInRain]

I really don't know how to check for these things. I could look at the box, but I wouldn't know if it was broken or not just by looking at it. What should I look for reguarding all of the possible problems. We know what it could be, but how will I know which part is causing the problem?

 

[jonathon]

Do you have a lot of play in the wheel? Grab your tie rod and drag link, do they move easily with slop or do they feel firm and tight?

Do as suggested and jack the front up and see if you can jiggle the wheel up and down.

None of this is really hard, just takes time and the write tools and manuals.

 

[Mudstud]

With out going into specifics, generally speaking, you are looking to see is any of the steering linkage- rod ends have play in them or feel loose or sloppy. You do this by watching each end as you cycle the steering with front wheels on and/or off the ground. You should be be able to detect a bad ball joint by raising the front wheel and grabbing the tire at 12 and 6 o clock and push in at the top and out at the bottom and visa versa. If you feel some movement chances are at least on of your ball joints are bad. You can chack this another way- put a jack under the axle of one of the tires and raise it up to where the tire is just off the ground. Now slowly lower the tire back to the ground while staring at the upper ball joint. If you see the knuckle move then that joint is bad. Raise it up and do it again while staring at the lower one. Now do the other side. Hope this helps. As for the other links- Wiggle these components back and forth and up and down and all around to see what moves.

Put a socket on the bolts holding the steering box to the frame and make sure these are TIGHT. Might looksie real close to see if there are any cracks in the fame coming off one of the bolt holes.

 

[Fordum]

First, before you start walking, do the absolute basic checks. They are free and anyone can do them..
One, check the air in the tires. Use a gauge, not your eye. If you are running a stiff walled truck tire, it could be down to about 10lbs and still look full. If its on the rear, you can hardly hold it in the road.

Then, get in and turn the key on. Don't crank it. Turn the wheel one way until it gets tight, then turn it the other way. How far does it turn? Almost one full turn? 1/4 way, just a couple of inches?

If its more than a couple of inches, get someone to sit in the truck, you go outside and sit down in front. Make sure you trust the person behind the wheel of course.

Then, without the truck running, have them turn the wheel from tight point to tight point back and forth.

Watch for what moves and what doesn't. If parts move and other parts don't, examine the point where the movement stops. You should see a loose connection there.
Let us know what you find.

If you don't see a lot of stuff moving, let us know and me or someone here will talk you through checking the ball joints.

But first check the easy stuff.

J.