I am driving a 2008 Lariat with the 5.4 Triton motor and 3.73 rear end to see if I want to buy it. Everything seems great except for a power steering issue which I can't find any discussion about.

The steering is hard and choppy when parking and maneuvering and the wheel will not come back to center without considerable force when making a sharp turn.

A little history:

This truck has sat mainly undriven since May and I drove it from Mass to Ohio yesterday. I noticed the steering issue when I first got in it and it never went away.

The fluid is at the correct level and the belt is tensioned.

 

Most likely bad pump I just replaced mine on my '96 F150, but it is probably pump itself if the fluid is good and the belt is tight. Where are you buying it from?

 

The truck belongs to my best friend who had a brain injury and can't drive. He obviously doesn't remember his old code.

 

I would look at the pump if everything else is good then it is the pump or something to do with the bearings on the steering shaft, or alignment problems.

 

The dealer told me to lube the steering column knuckle. I am reading that a system flush may help as well.

 

Yes greasing the knuckle will most likely help unless something is worn out because of lack of grease or broken. Flushing could do it also i would check the lube first.

 

My truck was acting the same with regard to your steering problems. I posted the problem on here and someone suggested I oil the steering knuckles as there are 2. I squirted some waste oil on them and haven't had a problem since, that was just over a year ago, hope this helps. I thought it was my rack and pinion first as this was the opinion of a Canadian Tire Mech

 

Had the same problem w/ my '04. Being cheap, thought I would try to rectify before spending the bux on a new intermediate shaft. My method worked like a charm. Tried squirting with WD40 and other penetrants, to only have problem return after a short while.

Removed shaft from truck and loostened up bearings w/ WD40. Then used a grease gun with one of those needle adapters and pumped silicone grease in, under the little rubber boots, filling the bearings while I worked them all around. That was 2 1/2 years ago and haven't had a problem with them since.