steering sticking

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Feb 22, 2014 | 02:26 PM

540milotalon

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 871

Likes: 5

From: Near Shenandoah Valley

steering sticking

'96 f-250 4X4 manual hubs in signature . Steering is catching almost locking up. I do think the front axle u joints are going bad but wondered if this problem could also be the steering box and or the bearings in the column?

The truck has 228,XXX and O.E.M. column bearings and steering box. I think the axle u joints were changed once. Not having good luck with a search and wondered if there is a way to isolate and test before changing a bunch of parts?

Apr 25, 2014 | 09:57 AM

JMR

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2000

Posts: 141

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From: DOG BOX

Steering column bearing binding?

Apr 25, 2014 | 10:11 AM

RIKIL

Posting Guru

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 2,379

Likes: 2

Maybe this is your issue?

For my year there was a bearing kit that was different than the original...meaning there was an issue with how it was initially designed. I am not sure when they started using the upgraded kit going forward but maybe you just have worn out parts that need to be replaced. I bought my rebuild kits from ebay ~$60. It takes a while to remove the steering column but it's not terribly difficult. And once you get it out, to open up the column and replace the parts isn't that difficult either.

Apr 25, 2014 | 11:40 AM

Crewcabber

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Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 1,187

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From: Lynnwood Wa.

Upper Steering column bearing. My last 97 had the bearing lock up driving down the street that was fun. Its not hard to get it apart but putting it back together is tricky. Putting the spring and e clip back in is a b****, the easiest way to do it is putting the spring and clip in the column and find the right size socket and smack it down and voila.

Apr 25, 2014 | 11:44 AM

RIKIL

Posting Guru

Joined: Sep 2008

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Crewcabber

Upper Steering column bearing. My last 97 had the bearing lock up driving down the street that was fun.

One time I was working on the wires near the brake pedal and I looked at the floor. I saw metal shavings. So I turned my steering wheel a few times and the metal was just pouring out of the column. Was a bit of a surprise.

On a side note, for those who want a new column...I have had trouble finding one at my local pick a part yard in the trucks. Seems they are a hot commodity. So I found that some of the older Crown Vics have compatible columns. But this is for my year truck, not sure about a 97.

Apr 25, 2014 | 02:41 PM

540milotalon

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 871

Likes: 5

From: Near Shenandoah Valley

Thanks guys for your comments here. I had a similar thread going on the Diesel forum here @ fte. I wound up taking out the steering column and installed one from a '93 that was almost identical. I have the original and hope to take it down and look at replacing the bearings on a rainy day. It steers like a new truck!

Apr 25, 2014 | 02:41 PM

tony. b

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 104

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From: pittsburgh pa

I had a similar problem in my old truck and It was in fact the axle u joints. Would make a turn and wheel wouldn't return without me really pulling on it then it would kinda pop and be free again. Pretty squirrelly when that happened!