Hello all - hope this belongs here. My grandfather has a 1994 ranger and since the day we bought it for him, I noticed the steering seemed pretty loose. By this I mean, when driving down the road you can turn the wheel left to right a considerable amount without the truck reacting much at all. On top of that, it seems like the truck likes to sort of ghost off to the left or right.

At this point in time, I know he definitely needs an alignment and he plans to get one but I don't know if that will actually help this issue.

At this point here is what has been replaced:
Tie rod ends on both sides
Upper and lower ball joints on both sides
Wheel bearings on both sides

Any ideas what could be causing this sort of slop? If I am at a dead stop with it the steering seems much tighter and the slightest little turn on the wheel will engage the power steering. (I can hear it)

 

Welcome to the forum

Just FYI you don't "drive" Ford trucks, you "herd" Ford trucks, lol
So what you describe is fairly normal

But could need steering box adjusted and check the "rag joint', its in the engine bay on the steering shaft its a "rubber" layered Spacer that connects steering wheel shaft to steering box shaft
It absorbs vibrations, it can wear out so it absorbs more than vibrations, it absorbs steering input as well

The alignment "guy" should adjust the steering box but ASK him too just to be sure
Also ASK for steering wheel to be CENTERED
Many alignment shops use the Locking Steering wheel to center the wheel, and its NEVER exactly centered, lol
Steering wheel should be centered and then tied off before alignment

 

I had the same problem, loose steering, toads wild ride down the highway. I did the wheel bearings but not the tie rods and ball joints (which need to get replaced). The problem was the steering gear box. It’s below your power steering pump and it attached to your pitman arm. This solved the problem and now it has tight steering. I would also check the steering shaft to check for play.