Steering issues after lift, who's got them

[X-1]

Ever since I lifted the ex with the skyjacker 6 inch lift, the steering has been horrible, Ii fixed some of it by replacing the right side balljoints, and everything else is new, and tight. I have a hard time believing that with a four inch drop pittman arm, that this is bump steer, I have lifted several 4x4's and have never experienced this. The ex wants to pull both ways it seems, even with wheels running straight, if you hit a bump it wants to shift direction, please do not tell me that this is normal, I can't believe every ford out there lifted is steering like mine, not unsafe, just aggravating. Any experience solving these issues please post here, and anyone running 15x10's on thier explorers have you had any spindle issues?

 

[dejello]

Hey, I don't remember if you got one or not, but do you have a steering stabilizer on there? If not, it'll help alot... When I first got lifted, it had bad bump steer, then added the stabilizer and it took that away

 

[X-1]

I put the skyjacker single on there right from the beginnig anticipating bump steer, does your steering feel pretty tight?

 

[Felix]

If you didnt put a drop pitman arm on you need too. It doesnt look like it would help much but it really does improve the way your truck drives after lifting, by relieving harsh angles in your steering system.

 

[X-1]

Okay, solving my problems, I already had a drop arm, but found the draglink had too much play, so a new one is on order, that should tighten up the play, also replacing the driver side balljoints, already did the passenger side, they are not real bad, but I figure after 180,000+ miles, might as well. Also found out my toe was off, I think one of the shims had shifted, maybe not as tight as it should have been, so readjusted, and tightened as tight as I could, should stay now. So other than a little play in the drag link, she steers much better, probably as good as it will get for now.

 

[Felix]

good to hear that you got the kinks worked out of your stearing system.