99 F250 Steering Issues

[stlouissux9119]

Hi, I'm new to the form here so bear with me if this is in the wrong place or already been answered.
So I have a 1999 Ford F250 with the 7.3l powerstroke. It is an extended cab long bed and i'm having some steering issues. First off, it does have a full air ride suspension that is controllable but I don't think that has anything to do with it. What's occuring is:
1. While the truck is stationary and running the wheels will not turn, the steering is very tense but as soon as the truck starts moving the wheels will turn. The power steering pump doesn't whine at all but this is an issue because of parking...
2. There is a ton of play in the steering. The issue is while the truck is moving obviously and doesn't seem to occur while the trucks just sitting there (while issue number 1 is occuring). It's from 12 to 3 ocklock is the play (if you view the wheel as a clock).
I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but not real familiar yet so if you have any tests/recomendations to do please tell me how to check the part and where it's located. The only other weird thing is the rear shocks aren't bolted up to the same location on the truck, ones bolted lower then the other, I don't know if that would have anything to do with it. It's my first Ford! I've always been a Chevy guy so we'll see how this works out
Thanks for all the help guys.

[layson]

We got to see pics of the air ride on the front. If you can adjust the ride height up front I wonder how they treated the steering. Seems like if you raised or lowered it the steering wheel would have to rotate.

[superdood]

I HAVE 3 SUPERDUTYS ALL WITH LIFTS NONE OF THEM TURN THE WHEELS VERY WELL WHEN NOT MOVING WITH 37 IN TIRES BUT WHEN WE PUT 33 INCH TIRES ON TO PLOW THEY TURN FINE UNTIL WE HANG THE PLOWS ON THEM IT MAKES IT A SREAL PAIN IN THE $#$ TO PLOW LIKE THAT. I WAS TOLD FROM A FORD MECHANIC AT THE STEALERSHIP THE PUMPS ARE WEAK TO BEGIN WITH. HE TOLD ME THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET PUMP THAT IS HIGHER PRESSURE.BUT I THINK HIGHER PRESSURES WOULD WREAK HAVOC ON THE SYSTEM ESPECIALLY THE PITMAN SEAL.THATS ONLY MY OPINION I COULD BE WRONG

[layson]

It is all about steering geometry. When I had a 6" lift and 37's it was tough to turn the wheel, then when I went to a 12" lift with a high steer knuckle (crossover steering). It steered better with the crossover steering and 40" tires on 12" of lift then it did on 6" of lift with stock steering.

The larger the angle the more difficult it is to steer. That high steer knuckle made all the difference. It only works with trucks with 6" of lift or higher.