Power steering stiff
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New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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Power steering stiff
Greetings, my F150 has developed some rather stiff power steering. The condition is worse at ambient temps of 45F or colder. The condition seems to go away after the truck has been run for 5-10 minutes. The steeing is not "uniformly" stiff in other word as I rotate the steering wheel it becomes stiffer then looser, stiffer then looser. The steering wheel will not return on its own. The fluid level was slightly below the "MIN" line. I have topped off the fluid. There is no abnormal noise or hydraulic whine from the steering. I'm thinking that it may be time for a new rack but I'm not sure. I searched through the TSB's but didin't find anything. Any ideas?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
Welcome to FTE.
If I knew the year and mileage of your truck I would be able to make a more accurate comment.
From what you post I would believe that the fluid in the power steering system has never been changed.
Old fluid can lead to stiff seals and they may soften with use.
What I would be concerned with is the chance of a seal blowing out when they are cold and stiff.
They are probably leaking already as your need to add fluid attests.
If I knew the year and mileage of your truck I would be able to make a more accurate comment.
From what you post I would believe that the fluid in the power steering system has never been changed.
Old fluid can lead to stiff seals and they may soften with use.
What I would be concerned with is the chance of a seal blowing out when they are cold and stiff.
They are probably leaking already as your need to add fluid attests.
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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milky, plus particles.
I was getting the same symptoms, especially stiff while cold, just after 50,000 miles. At first i thought it may be the steering gearbox, because every once in a great while, I would get a tiny jump/jerk from the steering wheel. But after changing fluid, think this was caused by a breakdown or contaminant in the fluid.
When I changed my steering fluid, had to start the truck and turn the steering wheel a little to get the flow to start. Put a rag around the open hose, to prevent spurting all over the engine.
There was about a half ounce of a mysterious milky liquid that stayed separate from the rest of the fluid. Also a few coppery particles.
I didn't like the looks of this, so I drove the truck about 20 miles, then repeated the process. No more milk, but a couple more particles.
Seemed to work good. Hope it stays good.
I priced a replacement pump, $39 with a $45 core charge. Not too bad, but replacing the fluid [twice} was easier and cheaper. Glad it wasn't the steering box.
Another little trick... Fresh steering fluid doesn't smell like brake fluid... Old steering fluid does smell like brake fluid.
When I changed my steering fluid, had to start the truck and turn the steering wheel a little to get the flow to start. Put a rag around the open hose, to prevent spurting all over the engine.
There was about a half ounce of a mysterious milky liquid that stayed separate from the rest of the fluid. Also a few coppery particles.
I didn't like the looks of this, so I drove the truck about 20 miles, then repeated the process. No more milk, but a couple more particles.
Seemed to work good. Hope it stays good.
I priced a replacement pump, $39 with a $45 core charge. Not too bad, but replacing the fluid [twice} was easier and cheaper. Glad it wasn't the steering box.
Another little trick... Fresh steering fluid doesn't smell like brake fluid... Old steering fluid does smell like brake fluid.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 194
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From: California
dude it might be that its frozen because its snowing where i am and it does the same thing, dont worry just wait 20 mins like i did, if it doesn't work than ask your local ford dealer or chat with a associate of the website
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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I ended up replacing the lower steering column shaft. Apparently, this is a common thing.
Part #2 here Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting
You should have the last eight digits of the VIN when getting this part. Cost is $200+
Don't know why it got so much worse when the outside temperature got below freezing. At 50 degrees, the steering was almost perfect. At 20 degrees I would say it was at 40 percent effectiveness.
Part #2 here Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting
You should have the last eight digits of the VIN when getting this part. Cost is $200+
Don't know why it got so much worse when the outside temperature got below freezing. At 50 degrees, the steering was almost perfect. At 20 degrees I would say it was at 40 percent effectiveness.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Groton, MA
Try spraying the u-joints as thecardoc said. There are 2 joints, one at the end of the steering column and the other just above the rack. I had the same symptoms and that did the trick for me. It did take a few applications, but it eventually loosened up.
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Thanks for the advice all. I'll give you an update as to what I have done. First thing I did was flush the power steering system. I removed the resevoir and cleaned it. No abnormalities were observed with the fluid, ( no particles fairly clean fluid, a little bit of "sludge" in the bottom of the resevoir). Made no change. I drove the truck for about a week and repeated the process. Once again no change. At the advice of a buddy I then added "Lucas" steering snake oil. The stuff was thick. When the weather gets cold I now hear a fairly loud whine from the pump when I first start the truck. The whine goes away after 3-5 seconds. It seemed to make an improvment but certainly not fixed. I figured I would be putting a new rack in. I will now try to lubricate the lower steering column shaft as suggested. It feels like a hydraulic problem but I hope I am wrong. Thanks again
4wd High
Joined: Jun 2005
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this happened to my truck too. I sprayed the u joints with wd40 and all is great now. great info here!
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I lubricated the steering column "U" joints as suggested and VOILA!! Huge improvment. I had a lot of difficulty getting any lube from any of my now frozen spray cans so I liberally doused the u joints with good old fashioned motor oil. It took a while to get in there but as of day two it is much improved. I'm going to try some new spray lube and heat from a heat gun tomorrow and see if I can make it better still. MUCH THANKS for the input. Best regards
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I have an 04 Screw. Just got it out of the shop, had it in for lower ball joints and front end struts. I asked them to take a look as I have been having similar issues with my steering and they said it is the intermediary steering shaft which from the sounds of everyone elses comments is the issue. The wd40 works and Pb blaster works even better but its a temporary fix I find myself having to redo it every few weeks. As of today it seems to have gotten a little worse as now when I turn the wheel left or right just before maybe 80% to as far as it will turn I get a shudder in the tires and wheel. I may just look into replacing it with a borgeson or something a little better.
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