Front end question...
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Front end question...
I have a 2003 F250, 4x4, Supercab, 5.4 engine, stock truck. It has 123,000 miles and is well maintained. About 3 months ago I had new tires installed, wheel alignment, and all new shocks and stabilizer (stock/Rancho).
Yesterday I made a right hand turn and noticed that the steering wheel did not return on it's own. It did return, but it felt like it was stuck and I had to return the wheel to being straight. This morning I noticed the same thing on a right turn, but only on a right turn. I checked the air in my tires and all were fine. I checked the power steering fluid and that was fine as well.
I got on the highway and the truck drove fine at 65/70. This afternoon I didn't notice any issue with the right hand turn. It's weird, does this sound familiar to anyone?
Yesterday I made a right hand turn and noticed that the steering wheel did not return on it's own. It did return, but it felt like it was stuck and I had to return the wheel to being straight. This morning I noticed the same thing on a right turn, but only on a right turn. I checked the air in my tires and all were fine. I checked the power steering fluid and that was fine as well.
I got on the highway and the truck drove fine at 65/70. This afternoon I didn't notice any issue with the right hand turn. It's weird, does this sound familiar to anyone?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Boston
I have a 2003 F250, 4x4, Supercab, 5.4 engine, stock truck. It has 123,000 miles and is well maintained. About 3 months ago I had new tires installed, wheel alignment, and all new shocks and stabilizer (stock/Rancho).
Yesterday I made a right hand turn and noticed that the steering wheel did not return on it's own. It did return, but it felt like it was stuck and I had to return the wheel to being straight. This morning I noticed the same thing on a right turn, but only on a right turn. I checked the air in my tires and all were fine. I checked the power steering fluid and that was fine as well.
I got on the highway and the truck drove fine at 65/70. This afternoon I didn't notice any issue with the right hand turn. It's weird, does this sound familiar to anyone?
Yesterday I made a right hand turn and noticed that the steering wheel did not return on it's own. It did return, but it felt like it was stuck and I had to return the wheel to being straight. This morning I noticed the same thing on a right turn, but only on a right turn. I checked the air in my tires and all were fine. I checked the power steering fluid and that was fine as well.
I got on the highway and the truck drove fine at 65/70. This afternoon I didn't notice any issue with the right hand turn. It's weird, does this sound familiar to anyone?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Is there anyway to tell you have a bad ball joint by eye?
If it is a ball joint, does an alignment have to be done after installation?
What happens if a ball joint gives out while driving?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Boston
Interesting, I had two ball joints replaced a number of years ago, forget if it was the uppers or lowers.
Is there anyway to tell you have a bad ball joint by eye?
If it is a ball joint, does an alignment have to be done after installation?
What happens if a ball joint gives out while driving?
Is there anyway to tell you have a bad ball joint by eye?
If it is a ball joint, does an alignment have to be done after installation?
What happens if a ball joint gives out while driving?
Do you have any squealing going on?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
I believe I had the uppers and lowers replaced. Not sure about how could can tell by looking if they need replacing. When I got it done I had it aligned because I got tires that day too. And I'm sure it would take a lot for the joints to give out, and probably the steering would get really tough first.
Do you have any squealing going on?
Do you have any squealing going on?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Boston
Mine was a really harsh and loud noise so that sounds different, but the steering wheel not tracking back sounds very similar
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 140
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From: Boston
I just read your original post again and you said it was stock and you had a stabilizer. I wonder if could be the stabilizer too stiff?
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
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I don't know, it's been on there since December and has been fine all this time. I guess anything is possible. Would the stabilizer keep the wheel from returning only on one side?
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Senior User
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From: Boston
I'm not quite sure I don't use one. Thats just a guess because I know the function for the most part is to stiffen your steering if you run over sized tires. I have the same truck as you but an 05. All stock.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
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Yeah my truck is all stock, replaced tires with the same Firestones and the shocks are stock Ranchos.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
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What's funny is that the resistance went away. I'm still going to have it changed out as it became stuck once and they part is already on it's way here.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Boston
Bingo, brought the truck back to my mechanic and he said the stabilizer is defective. I contacted Summit and they are sending out a replacement.
What's funny is that the resistance went away. I'm still going to have it changed out as it became stuck once and they part is already on it's way here.
What's funny is that the resistance went away. I'm still going to have it changed out as it became stuck once and they part is already on it's way here.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
I'm bringing this back up because the same issue is still happening. Even after changing the stabilizer I noticed a slight amount of resistance after making a right turn. I notice it on left turns, but not as much as the right right turns. What's weird is that on some right turns, the wheel,comes back on it's own, but on some right turns the wheel,comes back, but will not go back to straight unless I move the steering wheel.
The mechanic changed the stabilizer as he thought that was the problem. He also checked the front end and could not see anything wrong. What else could be causing this?
The mechanic changed the stabilizer as he thought that was the problem. He also checked the front end and could not see anything wrong. What else could be causing this?
