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TSB 01-3-2	STEERING - WANDERING/STIFF STEERING OR POOR RETURNABILITY AFTER TURNS - 4X4 VEHICLES ONLY SUSPENSION - WANDERING/STIFF STEERING OR POOR RETURNABILITY AFTER TURNS - 4X4 VEHICLES ONLY
Publication Date: FEBRUARY 6, 2001

FORD:

1999-2001 SUPER DUTY F SERIES 2000-2001 EXCURSION

ISSUE:

Some vehicles may exhibit stiff steering, wandering, or poor returnability after turns. This may be caused by alignment, steering gear meshload, or a lower knuckle ball joint that becomes sticky and degrades steering returnability.

ACTION:

Check alignment and check steering gear meshload or install greaseable ball joint and lube every 8000 kilometers (5000 miles) or at every oil change (whichever comes first). Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Verify stiff steering, wandering, or poor returnability after turns. Proceed as follows:

1. Check alignment and correct if not to specification.

   NOTE:

   USE 0.75 DEGREE OR LESS CASTER SLUGS TO CHANGE THE CROSS-CASTER. IF THE CASTER REQUIRES MORE THAN A 0.75 DEGREE CHANGE YOU MUST USE CASTER WEDGES THAT ARE INSERTED BETWEEN THE AXLE AND LEAF SPRINGS. USE IDENTICAL CASTER WEDGES ON BOTH SIDES TO CHANGE CASTER.

   1. If alignment corrects the condition, return vehicle to customer.
   2. If alignment does not resolve condition, continue to Step 2 (steering knuckle torque to turn test).
2. Perform the following steering knuckle torque to turn test:
   1. Place vehicle on alignment rack with front wheels on low friction plates. Wheels must be pointing straight forward.
   2. Remove tie rod from steering knuckle. Install a nut and bolt into the steering arm hole and tighten.

      NOTE:

      WHEELS MUST BE LOADED AND ON PROPERLY OPERATING TURN PLATES TO PROPERLY CHECK TURNING TORQUE.

   3. Use a click-style torque wrench and position it on the bolt head so that the handle is pointing toward the front of the vehicle.
   4. Set the wrench at 135 N-m (100 lb-ft).
   5. Pull on the torque wrench so that you are turning the front wheel outboard.
      1. If the knuckles turn without the wrench clicking, then ball joint turning torque is acceptable. Return vehicle to customer.
      2. If the wrench clicks before the wheel breaks free and begins to turn, then the torque to turn the knuckle is too high. Continue by replacing ball joints (Step 3).
   6. Perform this procedure on both front wheels.
3. If the torque wrench clicks before the wheel breaks free and begins to turn, then replace the lower ball joint with the greaseable Lower Ball Joint (1C3Z-3050-AB) and replace the upper with the current replacement part (F6TZ-3049-AA). Refer to the appropriate model/year Workshop Manual for removal and installation procedures.