Hello all! Merry Christmas! I have an 08 F-150 5.4. When sitting still or moving, and turning the steering wheel to the right and only the right past center, there is a popping type noise somewhat like a screw driver down a washboard (for those who'll know what that is). I replaced the ball joints because I saw a slight amount of play, but the noise is still there. Any ideas?

 

Have you checked the PS fluid level lately?

 

Yes. On a regular basis. No leaks, and none added.

 

I wonder if the steering rack has gone bad. Can you watch the wheel to see if it vibrates when you hear the ratcheting sound?

 

The rack and pinion does have a little play. I can hear the rattle on a rough road, or with the truck not running, I can shake the steering wheel and hear the pecking sound. If the noise is coming from the rack, will the rack ever completely fail, and I lose all steering? I have never heard of this, and have driven vehicles before that had minor play in the rack and pinion.

 

Maybe first you should check the mounting bolts for the rack and all front end parts.

 

I have checked the front end. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be on here asking about it. In retrospect though, I don't think I described the noise properly. I think it's more like a dry ball joint. What doesn't make sense is that it only does it turning right, from center.

 

if you replaced the upper and lower ball joints, and it sounds like a joint........... maybe its a tie rod end ........... check out and inner.

 

Got someone to help me today, layed under the truck and felt the steering system as he turned the wheel. The vibration is centralized at the rack. With the known play that it has, I just bit the bullet and ordered one. Taking it on a 500 mile trip with the family, and nothing is worth risking their safety! Thanks for the input, I'll let you know what I find when I pull it off.

 

We don't know what you've checked until you say something.

 

Was gonna reply ..... but see that you have a rack coming .... so will wait to read if that fixed your's.

 

Hope that does the trick. It's painful to throw parts at something and it not work.

 

The steering system should not have any play.
Same with suspension.