Ok heres my story, steering has lately been getting kinda notchy acting like it was indexing while turning. No whine, smooth, just @ highway speeds while taking sweeping turns and some lane changes.. I have worked on this trucks front end many times and have had 33's,35's and 37's mounted up, truck would always turn the wheels lock to lock @ idle on concrete or blacktop. Anyways took truck in before extended warr ran out and had gearbox and pump replaced. Now indexing is gone but steering is really hard and it wont turn 35's on concrete or even dirt @ idle. All front end parts are fairly new and mercon syn was used after install per shop. So my question is why would truck have turned so effortlessly before the new parts and now i have the dreaded hard steering.. Parts were installed less than a week ago and seems to be getting worse, steering wheel will not turn tires while stopped.....thanks

 

Does it turn easier if you rev the motor in neutral?
Maybe a steering damper shock siezing up.
Maybe the ball joints are seized, jack the front off the ground & try it in the air.

 

^^ Good call , thats what i 1st thought.
With all the work 2 the front end the steering damper may be set up in the wrong position , bent or damaged.
Try taking the damper off and see if it makes a difference.

 

Wheels off the ground it will turn, took off dual stab (even though it worked fine before) still wont turn with whels on the ground. Balljoints and all front end parts are fairly new again worked fine before parts installed. Does not matter @ idle or raised idle neutral or park, wheels dont turn.. Took in for nocthy steering but it was smooth, parts changed and now terrible harsh steering... could it be a bad pump ? wrong oil ? bad gearbox ? i am @ wits end with this, wish i could just put the old parts back on and try a flush...

 

Wow thats not good but you already knew that, gotta be a problem with the box & pump.
Where are the parts that came off?
Is it still under warranty?
What does the Ford dealer have to say?
Try a bottle of Lucas Power steering fix.

 

If fixed under warranty take it back, if you do anything to it you own it. JMHO.

 

Had it back yesterday told air was in the system, system bleed and inspected.. Picked up truck and no better maybe worse, new pump ordered.... well see

 

Good, I hope the dealer stands up for you.

 

New pump and its fixed ! back to @ idle full lock to lock steering while in park on any surface......

 

That is good!