1984 Ford Ranger Steering Drift and Play

FORD RANGER
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JACKMODE9316
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I own a 1984 ford pickup, I think it is a Ranger.
Basically when I drive it, the steering seems to drift left and right, even when I hold the wheel straight. It also seems like the steering has a whole lot of play to it. I once heard this could be as of a result of poor Tie-Rod ends?
PPlease help, thanks
Mike
Feb 15, 2007 at 9:18 AM
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BOOTDOG
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 665 POSTS
to check for play in the suspention and steering, you can jack up the front tires and shake the tire side to side to check for tie rods and up and down for ball joint play. if they're bad replace them and be sure to get the vehicle re-aligned. if there is still play in the steering wheel, that can be adjusted on the steering box. to fix the pull, try cross rotating the front tires to see if the pull goes away or pulls the other way. this will determine whether it's a tire pull or an alignment issue. hope this helps
Feb 15, 2007 at 9:47 AM

Suggested Repair

Jack up the front end and check side-to-side play for worn tie rods and up-and-down play for ball joints; replace any worn parts and have the truck aligned. If steering-wheel play remains, adjust the steering box. Cross-rotate the front tires to see whether the drift follows a tire or points to an alignment issue.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1984 Ford pickup, possibly a Ranger, reported steering that drifts left and right and has excessive play, and asked whether worn tie-rod ends could be the cause. The expert advised checking tie rods and ball joints with the front tires raised, replacing worn parts and aligning the truck, adjusting the steering box if play remains, and cross-rotating the front tires to distinguish a tire pull from an alignment problem.

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