Steering Box
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Steering Box
65,000 miles on my 05. Truck has been difficult to keep center steering for a while. Latest trip to Florida, 3,000 mile round trip from NY was tedious to say the least. Anyway, I needed the yearly inspection and took the truck to my local dealer (excellent diesel mechanics employed, Smithtown, Long Island) and mentioned to the service guy about my steering dilema. I suspected a bad steering box and got the call from the dealer that they will be replacing the steering box. Glad I have the Ford Premium Care extended warranty. However, what concerns me is why after only 65,000 miles a steering box should wear out considering I use this truck only for personal use (no construction use or heavy loading) and 99% highway driving. Any thoughts? Mike.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 933
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From: Québec
Same here, my truck is hard to keep straight, especially on uneven roads and when big trucks passes me. Looks like the steering has to much play in it. I am out of warranty.
Can you adjust it? How much for a rebuilt?
Can you adjust it? How much for a rebuilt?
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids,MI
look from the bottom and you will see the adjustment screw on the steering box, you have to get your arm up from the bottom between the the lower hose off the radiator. I had to adjust my neighbors last year
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
If the steering box needs adjustment it's wearing out. Save some money and lose yours or someone elses life. I adjusted the steering box on my daughters t/a and it locked up in a corner. What's a little money worth to you?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
DITTOS!!! I put a Red Head on my X at 75K and it cured the problem. The people at Red Head are very friendly and will gladly give you an education on the Ford POS steering boxes. It is primarily an assembly parts tolerance issue and Red Head uses higher quality parts with tighter tolerances.
Mine was around $500 with a $150 core refund and I installed it myself on a 4X4 X.
DSMMH
Mine was around $500 with a $150 core refund and I installed it myself on a 4X4 X.
DSMMH
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
STEERING BOX
I have no mods on my '05. As I mention, I use this truck as I would an SUV, nice and easy and for long distance trips. I use my '08 Liberty for local trips......Got my truck back from the dealer yerterday; they put in a re-built box and did an alignment. After I got it home I looked and found the grease boot cut at the Pitman arm and also the steering wheel offset to the right (about three inches) as I am driving straight. It is going back Tuesday. The service manager says a little cut in the booth is not a problem as there is enough grease packed to prevent road dirt from doing damage. I would not expect this from a dealship since this is all paid for by my Ford extended warranty. This is my second extended warranty ($5,800 spent) and little by little I am getting my money back as this is by no means my first extended warranty work.....on the invoice they list an 388898s seal, I wonder if this is the grease boot that should have been replaced and not used. Anyway, thanks for all your replies and input concerning this job. Mike
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 337
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Well I do t know if may be same issue but I had a bad passenger tie rod and truck and bad shake in steering when goin round highway curves. I replaced rod and thought it was fixed. NOPE! Truck still has bad shake on highways only goin round curves. I'm at a loss on ideas. I did replace shocks and it did help a Lil. Thinking weak *** steering stabilizer shock needs replaced now
FTE Fan
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
From: Winder, Georgia
Well I do t know if may be same issue but I had a bad passenger tie rod and truck and bad shake in steering when goin round highway curves. I replaced rod and thought it was fixed. NOPE! Truck still has bad shake on highways only goin round curves. I'm at a loss on ideas. I did replace shocks and it did help a Lil. Thinking weak *** steering stabilizer shock needs replaced now
FTE Fan
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
From: Winder, Georgia
Constant inspections and preventative maintenance on your truck will trump everything! Don't wait until the "uhoh" moment.