Steering Issues After New Tie Rods

I just recently got my truck inspected and it needed new tie rods, so my local shop did it for me. But I've noticed that my steering is a little off because my truck doesn't go straight when the wheel is straight . I have to turn in to the right some instead. Also my steering is feeling really loose and it doesn't seem like there is much assist when turning the wheel back to straight. I figured it was an alignment issue but I was wondering if anything else could be wrong.

Also, my truck is a 2001 5-speed with a 2.5" lift with 33/12.50s but the lift didn't bother it much before besides maybe a little pulling on the steering because of the tires.

Thanks
Hunter

 

I just replaced outer tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints and rack bushings. Went to get aligned and left with crooked steering wheel that is similar to what you described except my truck pulls to the right and I have to pull wheel left.

Going to try and go back for a following visit but I might be setting wheels straight and then adjusting tie rods until the wheel is straight.

 

When I did my Inner/outer tie rod ends, I had the dealer do the alignment (they had a special going at the time). No pulling either way and the wheel is perfectly straight. There should be no slop in the wheel, particularly after doing tie rods. How are the rack bushings? They should have told you if they were worn. I'd have it checked.

 

You may want to make sure the tie rod jam nuts are nice and tight. Mine have come loose before even after specifically tightening them. Additionally get the rest of your suspension inspected and have your joints checked for additional play. In getting your tie rods replaced with nice and tight units you may have additional slop present elsewhere.

 

Not all front end alignments are the same Some places have no clue what they are doing and don`t really care .

 

A good alignment shop will check your ball joints and tie rods and will tell you if they are bad. You can't do a correct alignment if the ball joints have slack.
I just replaced everything on the front end of my 02.
New diff, new rack, outer tie rods and ball joints. The steering wheel was way off and the truck acted like it was fighting itself to stay under control on rough spots in the road. I took a string and tied it off to where the string was exactly 2 inches from the back outer surface and front outer surface of the tire and strung it straight beside the front tire. Adjusted my outer tie rod ends to where the string was 2 inches on both front and rear tires at the same time. This made a world of difference in the way the truck handled. It was a holiday weekend and I needed the truck but I hit the alignment shop first thing Tuesday morning.

 

Alignments. Hmmmm.

My truck drifted slightly to the right for several years on the interstate. After two alignments I attributed it to the curvature of the road. Then 3 years ago I took it to a different alignment shop. The guy aligned everything, was very polite, and took the truck out for a test. He brought it back, set up his alignment tools again and adjusted something. When he was done, he took it for another test, then gave the truck back to me. It drove perfectly! No drift on the interstate. No vibrations from the wheels.

Hope that guy is there next year...

 

Most all-service shops are spotty at best when it comes to alignments...

Keep taking it back until it's right.

Ask for a different tech.

Get something free for it.

Go somewhere different (a dedicated aplignment shop) once the year warranty is up.