97 f250 steering issue
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New User
Joined: May 2011
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97 f250 steering issue
Replaced tie rods, ball joints, steering gear box, unhooked stabilizer. STILL have a tight steering wheel that will not correct to center after a sharp turn!!! I have to turn it back to center. I do have power steering. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!! 7.3lter 2wd
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: london KY
When did the issue start? Sounds like someone tried to "tighten up" an old box using the adjustment screw on top, if it's been over tightened this is usually the issue. Sounds likeirs time for a new box. Red Head steering FW!
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Crappy tech
Yeah, found out that the tech who did my ball joints failed to mention my coil springs were bad. Roughly 4" bad!! He adjusted the caster in order to save my tires but as a result my truck would never steer correctly. So after all that the original problem still exists and I am pissed. Guess who will be having coil springs installed for free... This guy! It was a pep boys tech. I should have him remove all the parts he installed, refund me all the money, and then discount the labor on coil springs. I have a bad shoulder or I would have done it all myself. I'm so annoyed.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 96
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From: london KY
2wd truck, nuf said.
To the op, you didn't notice the truck 4" low up front? Doesn't make sense, shoot a couple of pics and post them.
To the op, you didn't notice the truck 4" low up front? Doesn't make sense, shoot a couple of pics and post them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
Hmm, wasn't aware they used coil springs on the 2WD versions. I'd also think you'd notice if the front end was sagging 4".
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New User
Joined: May 2011
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I bought the truck used and this was my first try with front end work. Coil springs aren't typical on the front of a f250? And yes, this truck having only 2wd is a major inconvenience.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Do you have a printout from the alignment? Whats the caster reading? Worn radius arm bushings allow the caster to go closer to 0deg which will reduce self centering. Caster is not a wear angle, so your tech was incorrect if he told you adjusting it would save your tires.
Improperly installed ball joints will bind. New ball joints are sometimes tight until they "break in".
If you jack up both wheels and disconnect the outer tie rods, you can see how hard each spindle is to turn which would tell you if your BJ's are binding.
Improperly installed ball joints will bind. New ball joints are sometimes tight until they "break in".
If you jack up both wheels and disconnect the outer tie rods, you can see how hard each spindle is to turn which would tell you if your BJ's are binding.
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New User
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I do not have a read out. I had moog ball joints installed and was assured by a Ford service center that they were working correctly. I know I have bad bushings but was told, also by Ford, that they are not what is causing my steering issue.
Thanks
Thanks
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Stiff steering all around. Doesn't want to come all the way back to center after making a sharp turn. At higher speeds steering becomes very stiff and seem as though the truck would rather push left or right. After changing lanes, getting the steering wheel back to center is hard. Bad Steering ujoint maybe?
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
Does the steering wheel feel by any chance loose from the column? it could be a broken column bearing. But from what you describe so far, it seems like an over-tightened steering box adjustment nut. Check the steering box link in my signature, you will find some info regarding that in there.