Wandering front end

[HerbW]

Hi. I just bought a 2007 5.9 CTD 3500 Megacab 4x4 truck. It drives like a new truck but when I get out on country roads it wanders somewhat. I will probably need to check steering linkage and hoist up the front end and check ball joints. My 1998 12 valver never did this. LOL Any weak points on this model. Out in my barn is below freezing but I can't leave things alone. The truck has 315x70x17" tires on it.

Any advice is appreciated. My signature is not valid as of today. I'll update it soon. Herb

 

[HerbW]

I've installed stock tires and the Edge CTS! My truck doesn't wander as much. The CTS IS A HOOT! it gives me boost and auto transmission temps without installing probes and tubing like analog gauges.

 

[jgillott]

How many miles on your truck? I just did upper and lower ball joints on my '07 getting ready to sell it. They were not too far gone, but just enough play to warrant changing them. You would be surprised how much it tightened everything up and basically eliminated any feel of wander in mine.

 

[jgillott]

Upper and lower ball joints eliminated most of the steering wonder in my '07. Do yours show any excessive play?

 

[HerbW]

I have 162K on my truck. I wish I could talk to the original owner who put most of the distance on it to get history. I can see some of the ball joints are newer. If I turn the wheel it feels like too much play in steering gear with engine off. I've jacked it up and I can't feel any play anywhere hard rocking the tires and watching joints while my wife turns the steering. Are ball joints a bear on these? Thanks, Herb

 

[mweiman]

Does the front end have a leveling kit?

 

[HerbW]

No leveling kit. Does that help or hurt steering? I just put new Bilstein 5100s on it and a new steering stabilizer. This has made it bearable. Has anybody used the update steering linkage that gets you away from the "Y" configuration?