ok in the steering wheel for the past month i started to hear a noise that sounds like an elastic being stretched out when turing (hard to explain the sound) also noticed when id go to take a turn and then drive strait id have to turn the steering wheel hard to make the truck drive strait. well pulling into a parking space i heard a pop in the steering wheel.
i checked the tire rods and pitman arm. all is good. truck has no problem driving strait.
any ideas?

 

I hate to ask the obvious, but is the noise different from the standard power steering pumpp noise these Fords have? If you are unfamiliar with the noise it does kind of sound like a rubber band stretching.

I've been battling a P/S pump going bad since i got the truck. At low rpms it just can't pump hard enough anymore to turn the bigger tires. Looks like an easy job and I think i am just going to replace it. Mine has 235k so I am sure it is time. Definitely check your fluid and look for any leaks too.

 

Does the horn and cruise still work?

 

X2 what Bill said. Also is your steering wheel loose. Like can you move it up down and side to side.

 

im not with the truck now but the wheel didnt have any play in it

 

Sounds like the clock spring. Mine makes a noise occasionally.

 

my wheel was stiff like that for about 3 months - like what I think you're describing - wouldn't straighten back up on its own after turns, then one day it got REAL stiff (like I almost hit a benz not being able to turn tight enough), then 'popped' like you say pulling into the grocery store parking lot. about half-a second later, 10 ball-bearings fell into my lap. then, the wheel turned free as can be, but has lots of up and down plan now.

in my case, it was obviously the front bearing race breaking and releasing all the bearings. maybe yours was just stuck and loosened up on its own.

either way, its probably worth a look - unscrew the wheel tilt lever (a rag and channel locks over the handle worked for me), remove the lower plastic cover and look up with a flashlight. you should be able to find the bearing race. squirt some lithium grease up there with a straw and maybe you can avoid a bouncy-wobbly steering wheel in future!

 

...nice timing on the post Kupiec20.
I logged on today to describe just that same issue. The sound is difficult to explain but you hit it on the head. Mine has been squeeling and binding for about a month, it is definitely in the steering column and just behind the wheel. Resistance in turning has gradually become more difficult this week. My horn and cruise still work. Is this not a clock spring issue if the horn and cruise are still functioning. I'll look at the bearing race too but wait for a few more members to chime in on this before I tear into it and remove the wheel. Thanks.

 

well good luck. i went to the bone yard and picked a use steering column.
also change the steering box (new)
prob good for another 260K

 

I had some time today to pull the steering column apart and discovered that I don't have an airbag. Was this an option in 1996? Anyway, without an airbag do I need a clock spring? What's the purpose if not to arm the bag? I have to go rent a steering wheel puller to get into this further but if my horn and cruise currently work and my only problem is the audible noise and steering wheel tension, can I remove the clock spring entirely?

 

No airbags on the diesels. The clockspring provides power to the horn and cruise switches.

 

Thanks madpogue.