Cured my wandering steering

[mannasteve]

here is a picture. 3/4 turn for me. Big difference.

[superfuzz87]

Originally Posted by mannasteve

here is a picture. 3/4 turn for me. Big difference.

[EddieEX10]

Performed this adjustment last weekend. Makes the truck drive like new. Sure appreciate you all sharing the instructions and results. I turned mine 1.5 turns and it could probably use another half turn. BTW, it's an 04 with 89,000.

A small amount of steering fluid was released when I loosed the 5/8" nut. Not a major deal though. It doesn't appear to be leaking after I retightened it.

[EXv10]

No, it won't leak. ........It is strange how my steering wheel has zero play in it with 140k miles on it.

[04X]

I had been noticing it more difficult to drive my '04 4x4 Excursion lately. It seemed to not take minor steering input and then when it finally would it would be like it all caught up at once. I put it up on the jack last night and found my driver's side hub locked, but my passenger side was free. I'm not sure how the systems 'play' together, but I freed it up and it seemed to make a big difference driving in to work this morning.

I'm going to try the steering box adjustment (most likely) this weekend and maybe run a little more air pressure in the tires.

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Make sure you take a look at this site for Hub Maintenance...great site!

http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/allube.php

and here is his main page

http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/maint.php

Joe.

[tpierce941]

Hey i just did my truck what difference, and a little fluid came out to. Its like a new truck with 90,000 thanks for the tip.

[Rlbol]

I have an 05 ex with 48000 miles. I was wondering if adjusting the steering box would help my problem. The steering seems great and most speeds except on the highway. at that speed there seems to be about an inch play in either direction. once past that it drives great. at slower speeds or going around a turn it is great. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! also it does have a factory rear sway bar.

[VaSheriff]

Here's the picture mannasteve was trying to show:

[VTcivil]

I did this tonight and definitely helped. I need to get on the highway for a final check. Here is some additional information from my experience tonight that might help others. This was on a 2003 6.0 Liter Diesel model with 86k miles.

Hex key to use is 3/16ths
Lock nut is 5/8ths
Going from the bottom is too hard.
Take out air filter.
Take out front part of air box (on 6.0 diesel models)
Remove some of the snap on fan shroud to get better access to the adjustment screw. Just use screw driver to pry off snap on shroud in about 6 places.
I marked mine like the original poster and then just did one complete turn since mine was quite loose and it's about 90% better. Put it all back together and just test drove with good results. After a few hundred miles I might dial it in when I have more time.

[Dakrri]

I tightened mine, but I think I either over tightened it, or I need to tighten it more. It’s had to control at 60 to 75 mph.

The weird thing is, when I’m exiting the highway ramp, and making a hard right turn, if I let go of the steering wheel it doesn’t spring back….I stays turned into the turn.

Anyone??


Thank you dakrri

[04X]

I had my ball joints replaced after finding almost all bad. The wandering that was starting to build is gone now.

[Dakrri]

Hi o4-ex

I have a 105,000 on my truck and the ball joints were done at 83,000.

Thanks

[04X]

I was replying because I had posted in this thread earlier with a wandering problem, so my info was just a follow-up.

I had a couple ball joints replaced with Ford parts. A couple years later they needed replaced again. Moog are on there now.

Thanks,
Paul

[Dakrri]

I'm wondering if after other FTE tighten their steering box up, if they too lost the spring back when in a curve.

I think I still need to tighen mine more. It sloppy to me at highway speed, but my wife says there is to much response in the steering.