Steering wheel intermittently wont return center

[DEEZUZ]

Few times now Ive been caught up after making a turn having to correct the wheels straight. Its only happened a handful of times and is very few and far. I do notice my left front tire has alot of inside cupping going on. I know this thing needs an alignment but I was going to wait until I got new tires before I do so.

Am I looking into a sticky ball joint or tie rod end? The truck does have a newer Red head

 

[lincolnlocker]

Few times now Ive been caught up after making a turn having to correct the wheels straight. Its only happened a handful of times and is very few and far. I do notice my left front tire has alot of inside cupping going on. I know this thing needs an alignment but I was going to wait until I got new tires before I do so.

Am I looking into a sticky ball joint or tie rod end? The truck does have a newer Red head

yup

live life full throttle

 

[co04cobra]

Still running a stabilizer shock?

 

[DEEZUZ]

yea, factory one

 

[DEEZUZ]

Ill get the front end up tomorrow, see how hard it is to disconnect center and see if a side is favoring. I need to give a few turns anyway to center steering wheel.

 

[co04cobra]

yea, factory one

Try taking it off and see if the shock is bad. I have had that happen a few times.

 

[DEEZUZ]

Will do, It did it today while merging onto Highway. Will update. Thanks

 

[JCart]

Front in axle u joints maybe on the way out, would be my guess.

 

[DEEZUZ]

They should not be turning though when their not locked...?

 

[lincolnlocker]

They should not be turning though when their not locked...?

yup

live life full throttle

 

[DEEZUZ]

Crawled under neath there to unbolt the stabilizer and decided to hand spin the U-Joints. The left side would bind up solid in one spot while the right side would free spin 1/4 turn when turned fast enough. Sprayed some ZEP in each cap and turned it by hand and it kept getting easier and easier to turn. So looks like I need a joint. I guess my axle shaft still might be getting caught up on the rough spot I had on it from the inner axle bearing failure I had earlier this year int turn making me feel this only sporadically.

thanks guys.

 

[JCart]

In axle u joint roll over all the time (regardless if hubs in or not) and when they seize they will affect steering re-center. Generally first thing I check if steering does not recenter or if stiff.
jrc