Sorry if this post is long, I have found tons of information and TSB's but still havn't been able to isolate the problem.

I'm working on a 2004 F250 6.0, 4" lift with 35's. 52,300 miles.

I purchased the truck about 5,000 miles ago and knew there was a bad ball joint on the driver's side and a couple bad tie-rod ends. The truck made kind of a groaning noise while turning left and only at slow speeds, I figured ball joint.

Last week I put all new Moog ball joints, replaced the inner and outer seals and my yellow O-rings. While I had everything apart I checked out the U-joints, cleaned and greased the hubs and everything was in great shape. I also replaced all 4 tie-rod ends and sleeves (the drag link and tie-rod) with all Moog parts.

Had my alignment done and still have the groaning. It feels like it's coming from the steering gear box so I took the tie-rod off the pitman arm and can cycle the steering both ways smoothly and with no noise. I read that some guys will adjust the steering gear box but after a new drag link and tie-rod my steering feels great so I don't want to mess with that. I found TSB 04-23-8, Steering Gear Noise, which directs me to replace the booster to steering gear pressure line and the cooler to steering gear return line. The parts are only available at the dealership and they are about $250. I am trying to avoid another chunk of cash so I drained the steering gear, removed the two lines and cleaned them real well. I re-installed them using torque values found in the TSB and refilled the power-steering system with Mercon V. Still have the noise.

I'm at a loss, almost everything is either new or has been gone through. Is it time to buy a new steering gear box? Or am I just completely missing something? I would appreciate any ideas!!!

 

BTT. Somebody please!!! Where's the wise old mechanic that can diagnose my front end problem via a forum???

 

I've been having some funny noise/banging when i turn to the right and go up a slight incline. The bang noise i can feel in the floorboards of my truck. When i bought the truck they told me the balljoints where replaced.

The only think i can think of is your steering stabilizer shock, maybe its bad?

 

New duel steering stabilizer about 1,200 miles ago. The reason you feel the bang in the floor boards is because of the cab mount right under your feet. The key is finding what's making the noise!!!

I'm at a loss...

I have also read quite a bit about sway bar ends.... Mine seem to be in good working order. Is there a way to know for sure? Can I drive around without the end-links in??

 

I'm not the "wise old mech" but have you tried support the front end and have someone turn the wheels lock to lock - maybe this can help isolate the location. We have an 01 that the steering stabilizer was causing an intermittent hang up while turning right - found out that the stabilizer body was slightly bent and this piston inside would stick but only when it was mostly retracted

 

I have done that. I can feel almost like a grinding right at the pitman arm and tie-rod end. It definitely feels like it's coming from the steering gear box, but when I take off the tie-rod end, it's gone. I can manually move the wheels lock-to-lock pushing and pulling on the drag link and can't feel anything hanging up. It's almost as if the gear box doesn't like to move the heavy tires, I am just hesitant about dropping the cash on a new gear box.

 

There is a adj screw on the top of the steering box w/ a locknut. Try loosing the lock nut and turn the adj screw ccw about 1/3 a turn - this adjusts the gear lash on the box. It may be binding when loaded. If you can't get improvement while adj the lash then the box might be suspect.

 

Forgot - best to not go more than 1 turn in either direction while adj the backlash on the steering box - from memory I think ccw reduces the lash

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, the binding would be at the end of the steering cycle, almost at lock.

The noise I get is as I come just left of center. With my "snug" steering I want to avoid messing with the lash if I can.

 

If the lash is light the truck will wander and have a numb feel to the steering. Too tight and it'll bind and get worse as you get close to lock but I've had a few that were only tight in the middle - mark the adj screw with paint so you can it back in the same spot if this doesn't solve the problem.

 

I'll give 'er a try and see what happens...

 

Well while we are talking noise on the front end of the truck.I just bought the truck I got it is a 2001 Ford F250 Superduty 4x4 ext cab. I noticed with it when I go to stop sometimes or hit the brakes sometimes there is a popping noise it aint all the time.I am new to Ford trucks since all I ever owned was Chevy. But I got to say I love the looks of mine and the bulkiness of it that is what sold me on buying it.Dont mean to jump someones thread but could use all the help I can get with the truck.
Thanks for any input and please dont hold it against me for asking under this thread.

 

Does it sound like its coming from right under your feet?
My 00 did this - it ended up being a loose sway bar link. (The Lower bolt)

 

i am checking that tomorrow then.

 

I ended up having the steering gear box replaced under warranty. Most of my noise is gone, however there is still a slight groan as I turn to the left.

With new ball joints, all new tie-rod ends and a new gear box what could be making this noise??? I'm at a loss....

On a better note... with all those parts replaced, my lifted 2004 Superduty drives like a dream. Feels like a whole new truck.