I'm pretty sure that it still has fluid, it just uses an electric motor driving the pump instead of the belt.

 

I think its light years ahead of my 2003. No power steering pump whine, fluid to check, no horsepower robbing, feels great when your driving.

 

I'm finding the EPS feels WAY too light and the steering is very twitchy. I think a little time on the alignment rack to play with the toe settings may improve this a little but I for one miss my old fashion hydraulic power steering. But I've only had my new truck for 3 days, so I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I don't think there will be durability questions with the EPS, but I have already heard that there are special procedures that MUST be followed to prevent damage when you work with the steering/front suspension. It's shown up a few times already with folks installing LK's. Apparently a blow from a hammer to free the tie rod end is enough to damage the EPS. I'll have to learn the procedure before upgrading my OEM shocks to Bilstiens.

 

I can remember when rack and pinion steering on a half ton was a leap of faith. It's been a while and I never read any issues about durability.

The two 2011's that I've driven both felt fantastic at the wheel, I can't wait to get mine.

 

Tim, I must say I miss those days. But I'm also enjoy these days. So it's a win win...

 

63 ford with 33x12 tires & the old manual steering... is light...
I got a 011 xlt sc shortbed & don't like the steering at all. I keep trying to drive it & after 2 hrs hand get really sore try to make minor corrections.

 

I had a 66 Impala and the PS on that was way too light - wish I still had that car though.

As for my 2010, I think the steering on that is just great. If I take my hand off the wheel it'll keep going straight until it hits a pot hole and the road feel is better than my track car which I just might get rid of because the truck is more fun whereas the car is a miserable POS that has been trying kill me for almost 30 years..lol

 

I've noticed in a long curve at hwy speeds it seems a bit sticky, like you could almost let go and it'll hold the turn. I have a little over 5000 miles and it hasn't changed since day one. Another thing thats weird you can still turn the wheel after the motor is off, it'll turn freely for almost a second..

 

That's not a good thing to have steering feeling like it's sticking. As a function of alignment settings, the steering should always try to return to the center or straight ahead position. If yours is feeling like it doesn't want to you may have a ball joint or tie rod that is binding a little and preventing it from centering. But then again, you may have had road crown conditions that balanced out the alignment feature and made things feel like they were sticking. I'd keep an eye on this.

 

I just want to add - on some of the new trucks with EPA steering - that me and others are having an unusual problem. The steering sticks or feels like it hits a sticky spot at the 10:30/11:00 position, only when moving and left turns only and only occasionally. That criteria is specific to everyone with this specific problem. The people who have had it fixed needed a new steering rack/electric power assisted rack. So, far the results have been good. I have also been told by others that Ford is aware of it. I will update this thread when I hear more and also when I have mine replaced.

 

I have my 2011 FX4 in the dealer right now to get this problem looked at. So far they have told me Ford is now aware of the issue. Can you provide a source that shows Ford is aware of the problem?

Thanks

Fred

 

Everything will work fine unless the electric motor fails. What then?

 

It would probably be like having manual steering if that happened. I drove a few muscle cars with manual steering back in the day. Not fun, but I could probably drive my truck to the dealership like that if I had to.