Noticed the steering started feeling a little darty awhile back and the telltale lean in of the front wheels. Got it apart and sure enough bushings worn a little, maybe 1/16" into one side and the springs were showing about 1/8" shorter than the new replacements. Obviously getting tired after 91k miles and 20 years.

This is an easy job and makes a world of difference in how the truck steers and handles, even after they are just starting to go bad like mine were. You can get some AMPCO bronze replacements if you want to do it once and never worry about them again but they are spendy, around $100 for a set IIRC. Don't wait until the tires are tilted in so bad they are wearing on the inside or you get the dreaded death wobble.

 

thanks i need to put that on my to do list

 

a guy gets used to the wobble.....

 

 

its really easy to do. i just stick with the nylon bushings they still last along time. you can do it in like a half hour if you know how its done

 

are you talking two wheel drive?

 

No, this is on the 4WD. I didn't bother taking any pics because it is so simple and obvious how to do it. 4 bolts on the pass side come out, 4 nuts on the driver side, tops come off, old pieces out, new pieces in, screw it all back together. I greased the bushing and filled it up with as much grease as possible before torquing down the covers, then completed filling it with grease the usual way through the zerk to finish them up. I cut off the shoulder from old shims that go between the spring and bushing and added it back in with the new to increase spring preload a tad. I read somewhere you can add up as much as 1/8" additional shim to keep them tighter.

 

ya once you look at it its super easy to understand. i have high steer arms on mine so i dont even have springs in it anymore

 

I did the nylon bushing and my one tire still leans

think it's time for the full rebuild

 

That's unusual. Typically all they ever need is bushings and springs. The kingpin design with that bearing on the bottom is very strong and robust. The bearings don't move that much and as long as they get greased they should last forever. It's also possible the kingpin itself is worn. That's a bitch to get out.