I have a 73 Maverick with manual steering, changing this and that.... getting to the wandering steering. It has considerable play in the center and a tendency to wander a little left. Worn roads it's quite the drifter right and left. I thought I might have a little tow out on drivers side, so I checked the outer tie rods and they are both bad. Thus the drifting on worn roads. I did a search on tie rods on the forums, obviously a lot of results. Is there a thread you know of that I can look for to see about how to determine if the center link, pitman and idler are good? I don't think I've ever (in my youth), done steering components, although I do recall having to replace ball joints and an idler arm to pass an inspection in the 80s (when I had a 72), but I think I had the inspection shop do it because they were factory riveted in. Upper ball joints on the car appear to be new. Is there a thread that anyone knows that would help me? I'll keep searching... Thanks, John
Not sure if there's a thread but the way I was taught to check the idle was to lift and support the car, grab the tire at the front and try to bring them together then push them apart. A bad idler arm will move up and down while doing this. The tie rods can be checked with channel locks, give them a squeeze (don't use your gorilla strength) and if it easily compresses toward the center link it's time to consider replacement. You can also check the pitman this way.
jack the car up have someone shake a tire if it moves up and down replace it if you see play in anything replace it you are better off to do it all at once get an alignment then you don't have to worry about it again for a long time grab the front tire top and bottom shake it if there is play tighten the wheel bearings but not too tight it will ruin the bearings
