Hi All,
At idle [2wd] my steering is very tough. After you begin to give her a little gas steering begins to get easier. Getting out of a parking space is getting difficult. Checked all the fluid levels-ok, checked no leaks- is my pump beggining to fail? How hard are they to replace? Anything else I should check?

BTW - Engine is a 5.4 and runs great, 117,000 miles

THanks
Robb

 

All the time or just after starting? Might be time for a fluid change if not already done.

 

It does it an initial start up but also after driven a while and parked in a parking lot at start up or low idle. I do not notice it a stop lights, but generally one begins moving/rolling before turning so not sure I would notice it there.
I ll do a search on changing the fluid, I got the Ex a little over a year ago [love it] and have been doing things as I can afford to.
BTW its a 2001 and to my knowledge the fliud has never been changed. Any advice on this from someone thats been there-done that?

Thanks

 

I have the same problem with mine. You cant turn the wheel unless your moving. Im not sure if its the box or the pump. It really sucks if your in a tight spot. I would like to hear what others have done about it.

 

TTT

anyone else have a similar power steering issue?

 

Mine did the same (only at start up, not after warmed) before I had it changed. Hasn't been an issue since.

 

warm or cold dont make a difference on mine. fluid looks fine and no unusual noises typical with a bad or low on fluid pump.

 

yea man mine is starting to do that too but ive noticed its only when its cold and sometimes it squeeks do you guys get the squeeks like a squeeky spring
i accidently filled up the fluid pass the max and it just leaked it out but i have no fluid leaks at all
but when i do come to a parking spot it does get tight

ANYONE GOT ANSWERS YET?

 

no squeek and no answers yet.....When it gets warm (northern Ohio) I am going to try to change the fluid.

 

I actually brought this up to the Foreman at my local dealership...he showed me some Tech sheet right from Ford stating that this was Normal/a characteristic of the truck.....

Thoughts?

 

Wow! really? Do the F250's/350's have the same power steering system? and do they suffer from the same symptoms? If not why does the Ex do it? I would think a lot of people would be dis-satisfied with that especially if you have to tow/park some serious weight......
I guess I have something new to research on the net now.

 

I was thinking about putting in a red head steering box and doing a fluid exchange to see if that helped!


But if this is normal..I'd hate to blow $$ for no reason..... Hell with gas prices going up soon....gotta keep the $$ liquid to keep that tank full! Damn I love my truck...but good god is she thirsty!

 

Keep it FULL!!! wholey crap I though I was doing good by keping a 1/4 tank....ahahhah anyway yeah I got the 5.4 and underpowered for the big truck she is, so it guzzles the go juice too!!!
Well I guess if either one of us figure this steering issue out we'll have to make sure we contact each other to let the other know.
We are still around 30 degree weather when it reaches 50 I ll change the fluid just cause the Ex dont fit in my heated single car garage too well.

 

You know another place the X don't fit? Parking garage at Atlantic City!

I'm curious to see if anyone else on here has toyed around with this and come up with a solution! It's great to pioneer and fix! But it's usually the pioneers that shell out the most $$ @ first

 

It should easily turn lock to lock while idling. You should probably put a rebuilt steering pump in it $60 or 75+- with a pulley on it. Not a hard job at all.