65,000 miles on my 05. Truck has been difficult to keep center steering for a while. Latest trip to Florida, 3,000 mile round trip from NY was tedious to say the least. Anyway, I needed the yearly inspection and took the truck to my local dealer (excellent diesel mechanics employed, Smithtown, Long Island) and mentioned to the service guy about my steering dilema. I suspected a bad steering box and got the call from the dealer that they will be replacing the steering box. Glad I have the Ford Premium Care extended warranty. However, what concerns me is why after only 65,000 miles a steering box should wear out considering I use this truck only for personal use (no construction use or heavy loading) and 99% highway driving. Any thoughts? Mike.

 

I've gone through 3. So, don't feel so bad.

Any mods on the truck that will cause stress on those components?

 

Same here, my truck is hard to keep straight, especially on uneven roads and when big trucks passes me. Looks like the steering has to much play in it. I am out of warranty.
Can you adjust it? How much for a rebuilt?

 

i had issues w mine when i first got it, had it rebuilt locally....didnt seem to make much difference....i was told at the time that prob need shocks...i have just gotten used to driving it...

 

look from the bottom and you will see the adjustment screw on the steering box, you have to get your arm up from the bottom between the the lower hose off the radiator. I had to adjust my neighbors last year

 

If the steering box needs adjustment it's wearing out. Save some money and lose yours or someone elses life. I adjusted the steering box on my daughters t/a and it locked up in a corner. What's a little money worth to you?

 

its more of a preload for seting up the box. as 69cj has stated not really a good idea.

 

How much is a rebuilt and where do you get it done.

 

Get a RED HEAD box supposed to be the best , but they cost.

 

DITTOS!!! I put a Red Head on my X at 75K and it cured the problem. The people at Red Head are very friendly and will gladly give you an education on the Ford POS steering boxes. It is primarily an assembly parts tolerance issue and Red Head uses higher quality parts with tighter tolerances.

Mine was around $500 with a $150 core refund and I installed it myself on a 4X4 X.

DSMMH

 

I have no mods on my '05. As I mention, I use this truck as I would an SUV, nice and easy and for long distance trips. I use my '08 Liberty for local trips......Got my truck back from the dealer yerterday; they put in a re-built box and did an alignment. After I got it home I looked and found the grease boot cut at the Pitman arm and also the steering wheel offset to the right (about three inches) as I am driving straight. It is going back Tuesday. The service manager says a little cut in the booth is not a problem as there is enough grease packed to prevent road dirt from doing damage. I would not expect this from a dealship since this is all paid for by my Ford extended warranty. This is my second extended warranty ($5,800 spent) and little by little I am getting my money back as this is by no means my first extended warranty work.....on the invoice they list an 388898s seal, I wonder if this is the grease boot that should have been replaced and not used. Anyway, thanks for all your replies and input concerning this job. Mike

 

Well I do t know if may be same issue but I had a bad passenger tie rod and truck and bad shake in steering when goin round highway curves. I replaced rod and thought it was fixed. NOPE! Truck still has bad shake on highways only goin round curves. I'm at a loss on ideas. I did replace shocks and it did help a Lil. Thinking weak *** steering stabilizer shock needs replaced now

 

The ball joints on these trucks are a weak point as well. I upgraded everything on the front end when I lifted mine....took care of all the snap, crackle, and pops from the sorry OEM stuff.

 

Any good referrals on upgraded parts? My trucks just stock. Might just do leveling kit later but that's it

 

I went with MOOG on the ball joints and have not had any problems so far (I keep them greased religiously). Pro Comp on the suspension system, can't complain yet on the performance. I went cheapo (autozone) on the steering box due to limited funds at the time. It came with a lifetime warranty....I have swapped it out (freebie) already.

Constant inspections and preventative maintenance on your truck will trump everything! Don't wait until the "uhoh" moment.