steering woes

390Highboy · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2007, 06:56 PM

I am having an awful time with the steering on my 93 f150. It steers hard and the steering wheel doesn't return on its own. If I am driving down the highway, the wheel basically stays wherever I put it, which isn't so bad on a straight stretch but scary on corners. I already tried adjusting the steering box, but no matter where I put the adjuster it didn't seem to make any difference. I've been noticing it getting stiff for quite a while, but it suddenly got really stiff about three days ago when we had an exceptionally hot day with temperatures around 100 F. I'm not sure if the heat really affected it or if it was just a coincidence. If anyone could give me some advice or share their experiences, I would appreciate it.

stuart1 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 09:13 AM

Grease guns can make a big improvement.

390Highboy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2007, 10:03 PM

Tried that. This truck receives oil change and lube every 5000 miles. I'm going to take it to the nearest Ford dealer next week and see what they come up with. I'm dreading the bill I get later though.

krewat · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 03:21 PM

You have power steering?

Does it make any noise when steering?

Returning to center, that's alignment or stiffness in the components. SOMETIMES it might be a power steering fault, but usually it's weak and/or wanders or pulls to one side.

Stiff, well, something's wrong

Is it 4x4? Are the front axle u-joints good?

merlynr · #5 (**permalink**) 07-16-2007, 03:57 PM

You have twin I beam right? Could be one of the kingpins is seizing up as I had that on a 78 one time. One of the grease fittings wouldn't take grease correctly. I took the tie rod off the suspect wheel and could barely turn the wheel side to side with it up on jacks.

390Highboy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 10:26 PM

Yes, it does have power steering; and it does have twin I-beam. It is 4x4 and the front u-joints appear to be good. The steering has simply become so tight that it will not return to center. It does wander a little, which could be alignment. The only noise I hear is a clunk when the steering wheel is rocked back and forth with the engine off. It sounds as if it is coming from the steering column itself. I have made an appointment at the local Ford dealer to have it checked out tomorrow. I'll post with the results.

wreckit72 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-17-2007, 11:38 PM

I hope you get it figured out. I got mine figured out from the answers to your question in the 87 to 96 forum. I locked the hubs on mine today and the steering was binding worse and the left axle was clunking.

390Highboy · #8 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 01:15 AM

The Ford dealer fixed my truck. They put a new steering box in it and aligned the front end. It drives much better. They socked me $630 though!

wreckit72 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 01:35 AM

Glad to hear that you got your truck fixed.

2000Ford2000 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 07:49 AM

That's what junkyards are for. My first 89 E-150 lost it's steering box. $70 at the junk yard, exchanged the pitman, bolted it in, and off it went.

390Highboy · #11 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 09:28 PM

Well, normally I would have went to the junkyard but I didn't know what the trouble was, and I needed the truck. Oh well, next time I'll know better.