Steering issues - any suggestions

[CK25HULK]

Purchased a 2000 F350 4x4 RCLB 212k - 285/65/16 (33's) Goodyear Tires - New only 2k on them...and I've been spending time getting the maintenance up to speed - ususal stuff - fluids- filters,, cleaning etc..

It does have a front leveling kit on it.. no idea if a drop track bar has been added.. the track bar is not adjustable.

Tie rods are okay,, Track Bar bushings I beleive are okay,, got under it while someone turned the whell back and forth.. No real play there...

Onto the steering. when I bought it would dart left to right, kinda hard to keep on the road. Checked this forum out.. you guys said it was the steering box.. so replaced with a Red Head steering box. - Steering improved... no longer darting.. but now it wanders

Noticed thumps on my bumpy road where I live.. checked the sway bar bushings.. they are shot.. so replaced them.. that also helped and the thump was gone.

Still wanders though.. steering is tight no play but just wont stay in the center of the road. Got back on here and looked like the ball joints.

Ordered a kit (MOOG) to do upper/lower with seals.. etc.. - steering is tighter but still wanders... Did further looking,, suggestions point to a steering stabilizer... truck didn't have one.. so threw one on.. it helped.

Checked air pressure 65ps in front.. dropped that to 55 and that helped as well. thinking about trying 45psi when empty

So a combination of things have helped but it still wanders.

Measured TOE - about 1/4" in on the front.. seems fine/to spec.

Yes I'm aware this is a 1 ton truck and it has a leveling kit on it... but just doesn't seem to steer correctly. Sort of always have to correct the steering wheel for it to drive straight.. like I mentioned.. no play you can feel left to right... the steering box engage, but then .. ugh hard to explain,, it just doesn't track straight down the road,, is the best term I can give it.


Now the only thing I can think of is the track bar bushing are a bit worn causing it to wander a bit... I ordered the two bushings, fairly inexpensive anyways.... at least compared to what I've done. And possibly the leaf spring eye bushings are worn? Those are really the only other two components to this steering that could be replaced to fix the issue....

I have thought about removing the leveling kit to see if that is causing caster issues but looking for help at this point?


thanks,

-sean