scary steering problem
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
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From: Oakville, Ontario
scary steering problem
My friend has a 2001, F350, 7.3 4X4, that has a scary steering issue. He has been complaining about this for weeks. It would come and go. Every time i drive it it seemed fine.
This morning he called me up and said last night his wife drove it in town and the steering problem showed up and was scary to drive he went out to get her and the truck. As he was driving the truck would almost jump over to another lane while driving straight. He finally drove the rest of the way home on the side roads.
I drove the truck this morning and it seemed to not want to drive strieght. It almost felt like it was driving on a lobe. steering wheel straight the truck would shift to the right and when you moved the wheel left slightly the truck would right away jump over to the left. Even feeling it (steering wheel) had a hump in the middle. I hope I am describing the problem to be understood.
Last week we flushed the power steering fluid (Mobil 1 ATF syth.).
Any ideas.
This morning he called me up and said last night his wife drove it in town and the steering problem showed up and was scary to drive he went out to get her and the truck. As he was driving the truck would almost jump over to another lane while driving straight. He finally drove the rest of the way home on the side roads.
I drove the truck this morning and it seemed to not want to drive strieght. It almost felt like it was driving on a lobe. steering wheel straight the truck would shift to the right and when you moved the wheel left slightly the truck would right away jump over to the left. Even feeling it (steering wheel) had a hump in the middle. I hope I am describing the problem to be understood.
Last week we flushed the power steering fluid (Mobil 1 ATF syth.).
Any ideas.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 2
From: Hat Creek Ca
What you describe is usually ball joints but could be a number of other things as well. You did not mention the mileage on the truck, but depending on use and care 150K is about time to start looking into front end maintenance.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
I had the same symptoms not too long after I got my truck. It would do it one day and then not for a week, then do it again. I finally figured out it was the pitman arm was loose. Verry bad to have a loose pitman arm. I'm not sure why it was intermitant but I tightened it up and it has been two years with no problem.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
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From: Oakville, Ontario
Some front end work was done, about 3 years ago. Not sure what ball joint.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
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From: Oakville, Ontario
That is what I will be concentrating on tomorrow when I lift the front up to check.
Any suggestions to check to make sure it;s not something else. All will be looked and and replaced as needed.
Any suggestions to check to make sure it;s not something else. All will be looked and and replaced as needed.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
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From: Oakville, Ontario
I had the same symptoms not too long after I got my truck. It would do it one day and then not for a week, then do it again. I finally figured out it was the pitman arm was loose. Verry bad to have a loose pitman arm. I'm not sure why it was intermitant but I tightened it up and it has been two years with no problem.
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Laughing Gas
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From: Oakville, Ontario
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Since you have driven this truck, does it feel like hydraulic valving in the box could be causing this jumping between lanes?
Most people NEVER change the ATF in their power steering (and hydroboost) pump, and valves can get erratic and sticky in there, just like in the transmission. At least you've done that, hopefully not-too-late.
Another question, though for everybody in general: Why is this system so often overlooked for maintenance?
Pop
Pop
Most people NEVER change the ATF in their power steering (and hydroboost) pump, and valves can get erratic and sticky in there, just like in the transmission. At least you've done that, hopefully not-too-late.
Another question, though for everybody in general: Why is this system so often overlooked for maintenance?
Pop
Pop
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
The big nut that holds the pitman arm on the steering box. 1 5/16 is the size I believe. I don't know the torque. Mine was about 1 turn loose at least mabe two.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, Ontario
Since you have driven this truck, does it feel like hydraulic valving in the box could be causing this jumping between lanes?
Most people NEVER change the ATF in their power steering (and hydroboost) pump, and valves can get erratic and sticky in there, just like in the transmission. At least you've done that, hopefully not-too-late.
Another question, though for everybody in general: Why is this system so often overlooked for maintenance?
Pop
Pop
Most people NEVER change the ATF in their power steering (and hydroboost) pump, and valves can get erratic and sticky in there, just like in the transmission. At least you've done that, hopefully not-too-late.
Another question, though for everybody in general: Why is this system so often overlooked for maintenance?
Pop
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I dunno. I guess it's just a "feel" us old farts develop after being around stuff for decades.
Maybe there is a procedure that spells it out, but I don't believe I've ever seen one.
Pop
Maybe there is a procedure that spells it out, but I don't believe I've ever seen one.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Marv... I believe it is the "frog in the pot" syndrome. It all sort of develops very slowly and we don't even realize things are getting worse because we are continually adapting to the changes. And aside from topping off the fluid, I had never even heard of flushing the power steering system until I joined FTE (and I STILL have not done that on my truck yet).
I remember when I changed out all my ball joints, bushings, tie-rods, and drop links a year and a half ago, and the change was so dramatic that it felt like someone turned my truck into a sports car overnight... and that was at about 225K miles, AND I did NOT even adjust the steering box, much less change it !!
