Heavy steering
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
Heavy steering
The steering on my truck has become a little heavy after making a turn and bringing the steering wheel back to center. The steering feels heavy like I had a front tire half way down. There's a lot of drag then once on center it's gone. Has anyone had this happen? Could it be the beginning of the end for my ball joints?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
I would suspect your power steering pump or brake booster first (they are tied together). You can try getting the front end off the ground and turning the wheels lock to lock by hand and see if you have any sticking, if so, probably the ball joints.
You didn't happen to be on the brakes while this was happening?
You didn't happen to be on the brakes while this was happening?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
Well I jacked up the front of my truck yesterday and there is ZERO movement or wobble which leads me to believe maybe it's not the ball joints. I checked the power steering fluid and surprisingly it was 1/3 of a quart low. Not sure why or how since there is no sign of a leak anywhere. I topped it off and went for a ride. The heaviness is still there, I'll have to keep digging.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Look around the brake booster if you haven't found any other leaks on the power steering system. It could possibly be leaking internally.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
The problem disappeared for a while then show up again worse then ever. I came off the interstate and stopped at the bottom of the ramp. When the light changed I made a right and as I began to bring the wheel back to center the wheel got really heavy. It kept wanting to pull to the right. If I keep turning the wheel to the left you eventually feel the steering flop over to the left, from there it keep pulling to the left the hole time. This went on for 4 miles all the back to my house. It would pull left or pull right, it wouldn't sit center.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Lake, MB
If you jack the front end and turn the tire side to side, does it seem tight or grab at all? If it does then separate the joint at the pitman arm and turn the tires side to side again. if it pretty much feels noticeably better then maybe check your steering gearbox out. With the key turned on you should be able to grab onto the pitman arm and turn the sector shaft back and forth without a prybar.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ridgerider3
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Apr 11, 2009 06:52 AM