Ford Excursion/F250 Steering Story Conclusion

In my previous post about my 2003 Ford Excursion with 7.3L diesel motor I talked about the poor handling of the vehicle due to steering problems.  After getting the front sway-bar links replaced with high quality Moog parts the situation did improve a little and for a while.  The problem seemed to be degenerating though and eventually the vehicle became a job to drive.  We headed up the Ape Caves on the South side of Mt. St. Helen's and the drive along the two lane Lewis River highway was exhausting.  The slightest glance at the scenery resulted in a shift in direction which required immediate response.  I read an article on a Ford owners blog which described one possible action was to check the pressure in the tires.  The last several sets of tires I've run on this rig have been inflated to 55PSI in the rear and50PSI in the front.  This has been the standard.  I attempted to check the pressure at home and none of my tire gauges would work.  It seem obvious that the pressure in the tires was considerably higher than I've usually run them.  I stopped by Discount Tires on the way to work and had them check the pressure - 75 rear and 70 front!  Every tire install in the past involved them asking me what to set the pressure but this time it didn't happen and I didn't give it a thought - I should have.  I had them lower the pressure to 55 rear and 50 front.  Immediate the car drove a bit better but still had excessive play in the steering column.  If you sat in the car with the motor off and no music playing you could hear to interesting noises as you run the wheel back and force from left to right.

TIE ROD END

TRACK BAR

I made an appointment at my favorite car place, Advanced Automotive in Tualatin Oregon, to have the situation assessed.  When I dropped off the they gave me a ride to my place of work using my car and immediately I told "this steering is like a carnival ride - changing directions unexpectedly."  I was so used to it that I didn't really think it was that bad - just tiring to drive.  After inspecting the steering they replaced the tie rod end at the pitman arm and the other longer tie rod.  Both apparently were unbelievably loose.  The car is finally nice to drive again.  There is a tiny amount of play left in the steering column that I'd like to be rid of but the cost is probably not worth the benefit in performance.  We drove to the beach a few days ago and the big SUV handled great - no complaints and no exhaustion.