My Steering Stinks

[alohamonte]

I bought the X used about 8 months ago. The ride quality was terrible, and have since replaced the tires and shocks with quality parts.

Ride has greatly improved... I'm now distracted by the next worst thing, the steering is terrible. It's numb, unresponsive, bump-steer, and has play.

Tires are new, and have recently been balanced and aligned. Last month I flushed the power steering fluid with Amsoil ATF.

On inspection everything looks fine... no leaks, broken sway bar endlinks, or torn CV boots. Nothing is clunking around or making noise while driving.

I'm now looking a a Rancho steering stabilizer, not sure what my other options are. Is there any adjustment that can be made on the firmness of the wheel? Suggestions?

 

[410Fortune]

steering stabilizer is not for rack and pinion

It is likely that you need ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends
also maybe time for new wheel bearing/ hubs
alignment

How many miles on your 98?

 

[skoal_mint]

bump steer is always going to be theirin every vechile, but a stablizer shock might help, I dont know where you would mount it tho

 

[alohamonte]

i have 130,000 miles on it

previous owner has receipt for lower ball joints replaced at 85,000 miles.

tie rod ends sound like a good place to start

 

[410Fortune]

Inner and outer tie rods for sure

check for looseness in the wheel hubs at the same time

Upper ball joints are likely shot at 130K

You can then do a small torsion twist to get some of your stock sagged spring back and raise the front end back up (stock torsion bars sag big time), level the truck out, then get an alignment