Hard Steering on 2003 Excursion 4x4.....
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Hard Steering on 2003 Excursion 4x4.....
I just bought an '03 4x4 V-10. The steering seem very stiff. I have replaced the ball joints, but was wondering if I could make any other changes that might help. Thanks Gene
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
I bet someone has over-tightened the steering gear. I do not know, but I have heard that harm can come to the gears if this is done. I have also heard that it is difficult to 'back off'.
You might try backing off one full turn and then tightening back 3/4 turn? Just be cautious to keep track of exactly how much you turn the adjustment screw.
You might try backing off one full turn and then tightening back 3/4 turn? Just be cautious to keep track of exactly how much you turn the adjustment screw.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Long Island NY
I have some experience adjusting the steering box. I did it on a couple broncos f150 and the excursion. what will happen if you over tighten the screw is.. when you drive and make a turn the steering wheel will not return on its own and you'll have to pull it back. it really never got hard to steer.
I have similar issue you described and its sort of a hard time turning my wheels while the vehicle is stopped. only does it sometimes. i think it may be the pump. not sure. but i also adjusted the box and it didnt change at all.
I have similar issue you described and its sort of a hard time turning my wheels while the vehicle is stopped. only does it sometimes. i think it may be the pump. not sure. but i also adjusted the box and it didnt change at all.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Stevens Point, WI
If the front 4x4 u-joints are old and rusted bad they can be froze up so bad that it makes the truck harder to steer than normal.
It has happened to me twice on two different trucks now. Normally it happens on the trucks that the 4wd doesn't get used much if ever. It is good to run the truck in 4wd once every 6 months to keep stuff lubed.
It has happened to me twice on two different trucks now. Normally it happens on the trucks that the 4wd doesn't get used much if ever. It is good to run the truck in 4wd once every 6 months to keep stuff lubed.
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From: Stevens Point, WI
I LOLed at that comment.
Factory U-joints haven't had grease zerks for many many years. Now days the only U-joints that have zerks are normally aftermarket joints. But its not so much about greasing them as just plain using them every so often. In my last truck I never ever used 4wd because I stored the truck in winter and never ever took it off the road. So I would lock in the hubs (don't have to put the transfer case in 4wd for the joints to turn at least in the older trucks) and drive the truck down the freeway for a few miles and back before storing the truck.
In our 94 I could actually tell the u-joints were starting to seize up just from the feel in the steering. I ran the hubs locked in for about 20 miles and it was fine again. When I first locked the hubs in I could feel even on slight turns the steering wheel pulling side to side as the u-joints turned over.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Prospect Park, PA
I have tight steering that seems like a loss of power steering at times. It happens more when it's cold. I heard that the valves in the steering box could be the problem but know someone with a F-250 that replaced the power steering pump which solved his problem. I have tried removing the steering stabilizer and replaced it. The 4X4 u joins are good and the ball joints are free so I am thniking of flushing the power steering and installing fresh fluid next.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Canada
before flushing I would pop the cap and add fluid, with the truck running crank the wheels corner to corner back and forth about 10 times, check fluid and repeat. I have had vehicles with air lock steering and that cured it for me. And if that doesn't work I would flush next then if that fails change the pump.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Stevens Point, WI
I did the brake booster/power steering fluid flush on my X not long after I got it. I did notice an improvement in both the brakes and steering.
Besides AC there isn't a fluid in my X that I didn't flush or change.
Besides AC there isn't a fluid in my X that I didn't flush or change.
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