Steering bind after wheeling

[Dylan94EX]

I went wheeling with some buddies and was able to get some air with the explorer but now I have a steering bind only when turning right and in motion. I can be at a stand still turn the wheels with no bind, as soon as I start driving and turning right the steering will bind in multiple spots but I can steer past them and keep going, also vehicle still drives straight down the road, ball joints and wheel bearings are still good, u joints were inspected no bind, could it be my manual locking hubs are broken? Or steering box I don’t have experience diagnosing either so looking for guidance, I can lift the explorer engage 4 wheel drive turn in all directions no bind in steering only weight bearing and turning right while driving. I’ve read on a f150 one side of the box stopped working before

 

[410Fortune]

U joints inside the steering knuckles are suspect

You need to out the front tires in the air and do some testing ball joints u joins wheel bearings hubs tie rod ends pitman arm and steering gear box can all be checked this way

Have a look at the steering intermediate shaft it can cause a bind too

Could also be bearings inside the steering column
But my &$$ is on a u joint on the passenger side there are two, one inside the steering k knuckle by the wheel. And one just outside the diff on the inner axleshaft

 

[Dylan94EX]

U joints inside the steering knuckles are suspect

You need to out the front tires in the air and do some testing ball joints u joins wheel bearings hubs tie rod ends pitman arm and steering gear box can all be checked this way

Have a look at the steering intermediate shaft it can cause a bind too

Could also be bearings inside the steering column
But my &$$ is on a u joint on the passenger side there are two, one inside the steering k knuckle by the wheel. And one just outside the diff on the inner axleshaft

I have done a shakedown of everything wheels bearings are tight outer and inner torqued correctly, I pulled suspected passenger side u joint showed a bunch of people and they didn’t see anything wrong or any play in it, inner didn’t have any play on passenger side. I lifted vehicle completely put in 4wd turned fully left and right no bind, only when I drive and turn right. that’s where I’m scratching my head trying to figure it out

 

[410Fortune]

Ball joints? Try turning the knuckles by hand
Something must be binding
It’s either a ball joint or it’s in the tie rod ends

Also check your radius arm bushings and the beam pivot bushings and sleeves

Do you have the stock steering setup?

 

[RangerX]

Swap hubs side to side and see if that does anything.
Transfer case is in 2wd, yes?

 

[BKennedy]

If you have manual hubs, nothing inside of them should turn or be engaged. If swapping the hubs doesn't do anything, and the tie rods and ball joints are good, look at the radius arm, mounts and bushings on the passenger side. Do a quick tape measure alignment, and include wheel base measurements to see if somethings bent. That's quite a bit of air you got.

It's possible you damaged the steering gear box. With the engine running have someone turn the wheel lock to lock while you carefully touch the steering links and pitman arm. Might help you figure out if the binding is in the box or the suspension.

What part of California are you in? If you need a box, I have a fresh AutoZone reman unit with a lifetime warranty I would sell for a $100 bill. By fresh I mean I warrantied the box and never installed it, and it's been on a shelf for a number of years. With that all being said if you do need a new steering gear box, I highly recommend a RedHead if it's in the budget.

 

[Dylan94EX]

If you have manual hubs, nothing inside of them should turn or be engaged. If swapping the hubs doesn't do anything, and the tie rods and ball joints are good, look at the radius arm, mounts and bushings on the passenger side. Do a quick tape measure alignment, and include wheel base measurements to see if somethings bent. That's quite a bit of air you got.

It's possible you damaged the steering gear box. With the engine running have someone turn the wheel lock to lock while you carefully touch the steering links and pitman arm. Might help you figure out if the binding is in the box or the suspension.

What part of California are you in? If you need a box, I have a fresh AutoZone reman unit with a lifetime warranty I would sell for a $100 bill. By fresh I mean I warrantied the box and never installed it, and it's been on a shelf for a number of years. With that all being said if you do need a new steering gear box, I highly recommend a RedHead if it's in the budget.

Redding! And I’m gonna swap hubs tomorrow re inspect everything, gear box is gonna be next, my explorer drives straight down the road just a weird bind turning right, turning left it’s smooth, but with vehicle lifted in the air no bind in 4wd driving turning with wheels in air so I’m thinking it’s weight bearing why I am leaning more towards steering box at this point

 

[Dylan94EX]

Ball joints? Try turning the knuckles by hand
Something must be binding
It’s either a ball joint or it’s in the tie rod ends

Also check your radius arm bushings and the beam pivot bushings and sleeves

Do you have the stock steering setup?

Ball joints are tight, right before wheeling I replaced ball joints, tie rods, and had a alignment, and semi stock it’s a bronco 2 drag link up I’m pretty suure