No I haven't had both sides up at the same time Scott,I have had each side up and checked for play/movement with a tire iron wedged between the tire and ground and there's absolutly no play.

 

Phil make sure if you do have to remove the airbag, wait 5-10 min after you disconnect the batteries before you disconnect the yellow wires for the airbags, most airbag systems still stay energized 2-3 minutes even after removing battery power.

I would do as scott suggested by jacking both sides up together and see how it feels, both with the motor running and without. Also be sure to check the steering shaft that goes down to the gear box and make sure nothing has gotten in between or is catching on the u-joints in that shaft.

 

Well I'm still chasing my steering issue,it has gotten to where it will not turn back by itself from a turn,also it has developed a catch/click sound from the steering column,only it don't make the sound all the time,it is hard to turn either way all the time now,not just the burr feeling it was having.If I take off the steering wheel and column cover will the bearings be exposed so I could look at them,is there any joints under the column cover that could be bad? It has got to the point that I'm scared to drive it,but won't just take it to someone.......thoughts...anyone...

 

Phil, their is torx screws holding the steering shaft in place under the top cover of the column and they're greased from the factory, I'd do a visual under there to make sure nothing is binding, might be something as simple as a bad SC metal harness bracket, what I'm calling it, don't know what the exact term of the part is but it keeps the the steering shaft in place, you'll see it, held in by torx's screws on top. Check those wires too under there going from the left side harness across the steering shaft going to the OD shift lever and loom it while your under there, that wire shorted out on me and left me stranded.

 

Thanks Mike,Saturday is when I'm tearing it apart,there has to be something inside the steering column doing something,I've been all up under the front end and everything is tight,but I have this clicking catching sound from the steering column like I would think of bearings,but there's no up and down movement of the column itself,and it don't make the sound all the time,but it's very hard to steer all the time,something is definitely binding up and causing this hard to steer issue....aarrgg

 

Good luck buddy. Not sure if you ever tore into a steering column but I was scared chitless removing the key cylinder but with everybody's help here it was easy, after I did it. Search around and even my broke down thread, lots of good info there..

 

I've been busy and just got around to fixing my steering column.I got a used one from a local guy with way less miles than mine(still has the texture/grain look,mine didn't),removed the old one installed the new one,pretty straight forward,no problems,just thought I'd post an update,and it definitely was the steering column,drives/turns much smoother now...

EDIT: I didn't find any wires chafed in the steering column,but I taped them up good anyway while I was in there.

 

Here's a T-Shooting guide from my DVD. This was the only way I could get it posted, sorry.......



CAUTION: Do not hold the steering wheel (3600) at the stops for an extended amount of time. Damage to the power steering pump (3A674) will result.

NOTE: Make the following preliminary check before repairing the steering system:

Verify the customer concern by operating the steering system.
Inspect Tires
Check tire pressure; refer to the Vehicle Certification (VC) Label.
Verify that all tires are sized to specification; for additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .
Inspect the tires for damage or uneven wear.
Belt and Tensioner Check
Refer to Section 303-05 for diagnosis and testing of the accessory drive system.
Fluid Level Check
Verify that the power steering fluid level is at the full (F) mark. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.
Air Bleeding
Verify that there is no air in the power steering system. Run the engine (6007) until it reaches normal operating temperature. Turn the steering wheel to the left and right several times without hitting the stops. If any air bubbles are present, refer to System Flushing—CII Power Steering Pump , System Flushing—CIII Power Steering Pump or System Flushing—ZF Power Steering Pump in this section.
External Leak Check
With the ignition switch at OFF, wipe off the power steering pump, power steering pressure hose (3A719), power steering return hose, power steering fluid cooler (3D746) and steering gear (3504).
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel from stop to stop several times. Do not hold steering wheel at stops. Check for leaks. Repair as necessary if leaks are observed.
Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage; refer to the following chart.

Visual Inspection Chart Mechanical
Loose tie rod ends
Loose suspension components
Loose steering column shaft universal joints
Loose steering gear mounting bolts
Binding or misaligned steering column
Power steering pump
Bent or pinched power steering lines



If an obvious cause for an observed or reported malfunction is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom and proceed to the following symptom chart.
Steering System Symptom Definitions

Drift/Pull
Pull is a tugging sensation, felt by the hands on the steering wheel, that must be overcome to keep the vehicle going straight.

Drift describes what a vehicle with this condition does with hands off the steering wheel.

A vehicle-related drift/pull, on a flat road, will cause a consistent deviation from the straight-ahead path and require constant steering input in the opposite direction to counteract the effect.
Drift/pull may be induced by conditions external to the vehicle (i.e., wind, road camber).
Excessive Steering Wheel Play
Excessive steering wheel play is a condition in which there is too much steering wheel movement before the wheels move. A small amount of steering wheel free play is considered normal.

Feedback
Feedback is a roughness felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough pavement.

Hard Steering or Lack of Assist
Hard steering can remain constant through the full turn or occur near the end of a turn. It is important to know the difference between hard steering/lack of assist and binding.

Hard steering or lack of assist can result from either hydraulic or mechanical conditions. It is extremely important to know if this concern occurs during driving, during very heavy or static parking maneuvers.

Nibble
Sometimes confused with shimmy, nibble is a condition resulting from tire interaction with various road surfaces and observed by the driver as small rotational oscillations of the steering wheel.

Poor Returnability/Sticky Steering
Poor returnability and sticky steering is used to describe the poor return of the steering wheel to center after a turn or the steering correction is completed.

Shimmy
Shimmy, as observed by the driver, is large, consistent, rotational oscillations of the steering wheel resulting from large, side-to-side (lateral) tire/wheel movements.

Shimmy is usually experienced near 64 km/h (40 mph), and can begin or be amplified when the tire contacts pot holes or irregularities in the road surface.

Wander
Wander is the tendency of the vehicle to require frequent, random left and right steering wheel corrections to maintain a straight path down a level road.


Symptom Chart

SYMPTOM CHART Condition Possible Sources Action
Hard Steering or Lack of Assist
Seized lower steering column shaft U-joints.
REPLACE the lower steering column shaft U-joints; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Damaged, fractured steering column bearing(s).
REPAIR the steering column; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Power steering pump.
GO to Pump Flow and Pressure Test in this section.

Suspension components.
REFER to Section 204-00 for suspension system diagnosis and testing.

Steering gear internal leakage.
GO to Pump Flow and Pressure Test under Component Tests in this section.

Excessive Steering Pump Noise
Power steering pump.
GO to Pump Flow and Pressure Test in this section.

Excessive Steering Wheel Play
Loose, worn or damaged steering linkages or tie rod end (3A130).
GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test as necessary.

Loose steering gear bolts.
TIGHTEN the bolts; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-02 .

Damaged or worn steering gear.
REPAIR the steering gear; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-02 .

Loose, worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).
REPLACE any unserviceable steering column bearing(s); for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Loose, worn or damaged lower steering column shaft U-joints.
REPLACE the lower steering column shaft; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Wander
Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
NOTIFY the customer of improper vehicle loading.

Loose or damaged steering gear mounting bolts.
REPLACE or TIGHTEN the bolts; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-02 .

Loose lower steering column U-joint bolts.
TIGHTEN the bolts; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Loose, worn or damaged lower steering column shaft U-joints.
REPLACE the lower steering column shaft; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Wheel alignment.
ADJUST as required; for additional information, REFER to Section 204-00 .

Loose, worn or binding steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).
GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.

Improper steering gear preload/meshload.
For additional information, GO to Meshload Adjustment—XR50 Steering Gear or Meshload Adjustment—TRW TAS40 Steering Gear in this section.

Suspension components.
REFER to Section 204-00 for suspension system diagnosis and testing.

Drift/Pull
Unevenly loaded or overloaded vehicle.
NOTIFY the customer of improper vehicle loading.

Wheel alignment.
ADJUST as required; for additional information, REFER to Section 204-00 .

Loose, worn or binding steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).
GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.

Suspension components.
REFER to Section 204-00 for suspension system diagnosis and testing.

The steering gear valve effort out of balance.
GO to Steering Gear Valve under Component Tests in this section.

Check the brake system for proper operation.
For additional information, REFER to Section 206-00 .

Improper frame/underbody alignment.
CORRECT as required; for additional information, REFER to Section 502-02 .

Feedback
Loose, worn or damaged steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).
GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.

Loose or damaged steering gear mounting bolts.
REPLACE or TIGHTEN the retaining bolts; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-02 .

Loose lower steering column shaft U-joint bolts.
TIGHTEN the bolts; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Loose suspension bushings, fasteners or ball joints.
REPLACE as necessary; for additional information, REFER to Section 204-01A or Section 204-01B .

Worn or damaged steering column bearing(s).
REPLACE any unserviceable steering column bearing(s); for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Sticky Steering, Poor Returnability
Binding lower steering column shaft U-joints.
REPLACE the lower steering column shaft; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Loose, worn or binding steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).
GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.

Check the steering gear for evidence of binding or damage.
REPAIR the steering gear; for additional information, REFER to Section 211-02 .

Suspension components.
REFER to Section 204-00 for suspension system diagnosis and testing.

Wheel alignment.
ADJUST as required; for additional information, REFER to Section 204-00 .

Binding steering column bearing(s).
REPLACE the steering column bearing(s); for additional information, REFER to Section 211-04 .

Power steering pump
GO to the Pump Flow and Pressure Test in this section.

Shimmy
Loose, worn or damaged steering linkage(s) or tie rod end(s).
GO to the Steering Linkage Component Test.

Suspension system components.
REFER to Section 204-00 for suspension system diagnosis and testing.