..Another wandering issue
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 29
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..Another wandering issue
OK, bought a new to me 2001 F-250 185,000 miles. Before it left the dealer it had new tires put on and new brakes upper and lower ball joints replaced and alignment done. Test drive noticed a little wander but nothing too bad. Had a 1000 mile trip home and was constantly left a couple inches, right a couple inches OHHH back left again, now back to the right. 265/75/16 tires 10 ply. I have read alot of the old threads and looks like pitman arm will be my first place to start. Also, the power steering pump likes to whine as well, I dont know if that is related but there it is. I dont want to mess with the steering box until I have replaced worn parts if there are any.
...........and now the dumb question, where the hell is the jack?
Thanks for any and all help.
...........and now the dumb question, where the hell is the jack?
Thanks for any and all help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Morehead, Ky.
You might try flushing the P/S, for the whine. It may have gotten some water in it, if someone washed the engine/
Ford Super Duty Power Steering Flush | Superdutypsd.com
Can't help with the wandering.
Ford Super Duty Power Steering Flush | Superdutypsd.com
Can't help with the wandering.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Kinda dumb question in return... What cab? I don't see that in your post.
I know on a crew cab if you still have it, it should behind the rear seat on the passengers side. There's a toggle that's a PITA to move if the handle is missing.
I know on a crew cab if you still have it, it should behind the rear seat on the passengers side. There's a toggle that's a PITA to move if the handle is missing.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
These trucks are know for this kinda slop in the steering wheel, try having that same problem with 15 1/2 inch tiresCheck the bushing on the track bar, bottom side of the pitman arm. Have someone jump in the truck and wiggle the wheel back and forth while you watch to see if theres any extra slop in it. Whil someone is in there doing that check anything that moves when the wheel is turned. If everything is tight you way want to start looking into a redhead steering box
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Does it have an aftermarket front bumper? 2x4 or 4x4? Also consider adjusting the steering gear box to give that a shot after you check the other stuff. Just go a 1/4 turn at a time until it feels better.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
OK, bought a new to me 2001 F-250 185,000 miles. Before it left the dealer it had new tires put on and new brakes upper and lower ball joints replaced and alignment done. Test drive noticed a little wander but nothing too bad. Had a 1000 mile trip home and was constantly left a couple inches, right a couple inches OHHH back left again, now back to the right. 265/75/16 tires 10 ply. I have read alot of the old threads and looks like pitman arm will be my first place to start. Also, the power steering pump likes to whine as well, I dont know if that is related but there it is. I dont want to mess with the steering box until I have replaced worn parts if there are any.
...........and now the dumb question, where the hell is the jack?
Thanks for any and all help.
...........and now the dumb question, where the hell is the jack?
Thanks for any and all help.
The jack pump is located underneath the passenger side rear seat and the needed hardware is pretty easy to get to: just pop open your engine hood compartment and look by the hood latch, up front and center - three pieces of long steel rods to be assembled together to insert into the hole located at the rear bumper left of center side of the license plate mount to lower the rear tire from its mounted position under the truck bed.
hope this helps…
I am looking to install air bags in the rear to tow better and new Bilstien shocks all around for more control. Then I heard there is a Red Head steering box that might help as well….It. Never. Ends….
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Wow, why would you ask if it had a aftermarket front bumper. Yes it does, actually its a pretty heavy brush guard so it dosent go the full length of the stock bumper. It is a 4x4 and everything is tight when I was watching the steering left and right. Tires move left and right with just minimal turn in the steering wheel. Pitman arm had no play when steering. The box adjustment looks like it might be in order. Also no whine when I turn the wheel with the weight off the front end. Thanks for all the replies and with the dumb question as well.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 249
From: Ringgold, Ga
Steve you need to do the steering test with the wheels on the ground.
In case you didn't do it that way. There need to be restriction or nothing looks like it is worn out.
I am saving for drag links on mine right now.
2000 F250 with 192000 just bought it. Even with the high miles this is the nicest truck I have owned. Lol
Helps that is was a 1 owner daily driver truck.
In case you didn't do it that way. There need to be restriction or nothing looks like it is worn out.
I am saving for drag links on mine right now.
2000 F250 with 192000 just bought it. Even with the high miles this is the nicest truck I have owned. Lol
Helps that is was a 1 owner daily driver truck.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 504
Likes: 1
From: Cameron, Ok
Mine did that when I first bought it and it turned out to be the tie rod ends were frozen up. They were pretty cheap to replace...then took it to an alignment place to make sure I got it right with my steel tape measure...and it was right on! Was one lucky duck, huh?! Cost me $80 to make sure...but, better right than wrong...
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Steve you need to do the steering test with the wheels on the ground.
In case you didn't do it that way. There need to be restriction or nothing looks like it is worn out.
I am saving for drag links on mine right now.
2000 F250 with 192000 just bought it. Even with the high miles this is the nicest truck I have owned. Lol
Helps that is was a 1 owner daily driver truck.
In case you didn't do it that way. There need to be restriction or nothing looks like it is worn out.
I am saving for drag links on mine right now.
2000 F250 with 192000 just bought it. Even with the high miles this is the nicest truck I have owned. Lol
Helps that is was a 1 owner daily driver truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Because a lot of folks who have an aftermarket front bumper have to remove the factory tow hooks to install the bumper. I did on my truck, but it's a 2wd so it's no big deal. I did the same on my wife's truck (4x4), and as I was tightening everything up, I noticed that the bolts that hold those little tow hooks in also have something to do with the front spring perch on the 4wd trucks. I had the pleasure of trying to install nuts and bolts in those holes without completely removing the heavy bumper.
I've talked to one other person who removed his tow hooks on a 4wd truck and did not bolt that front back down and he or she had the exact same steering wander you're complaining about. Even after 3 different steering gear boxes.
I've talked to one other person who removed his tow hooks on a 4wd truck and did not bolt that front back down and he or she had the exact same steering wander you're complaining about. Even after 3 different steering gear boxes.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Interesting about the tow hooks. Well everything pretty tight in the steering components so off to the gearbox I go with 1 1/4 turns and it made a huge improvement. Not ideal but much better. Can pretty much handle it with my left arm on the windowsill and hand at 8 oclock. Steering box probably in order I guess down the road, I dont know how much you can keep adjusting those in until you are out of adjustment. Thanks all for the help.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 16
Ford has always had that little bit of slop in the steering. Eventually u get used to it or spend the money to upgrade the steering box. Several years ago, i was doing some work on a friends Chevy Z71. Chevy trucks have always had tight steering to me and squishy brakes. With me having a ford, I would unconsciously have a wiggle constantly with his Chevy. One day, I drove it to do the repairs and it was all over the road. When I asked him about it, he did not know what I was talking about. Until I showed him what was worn in the front end.
