Unpredictable steering

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May 3, 2015 | 10:05 PM

LoriM

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 15

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Unpredictable steering

My steering pulls hard left or hard right, and also seems to have a mind of its own when it turns sharp right or left suddenly, as though someone else is driving. It's very disconcerting when you think you're making a left and the truck veers right.

Today I was making a left onto a bridge and truck kept going straight. I almost hit the bridge. I have an 06 Ford F250 Turbo Diesel.

Any ideas what this could be?

May 4, 2015 | 10:44 AM

NYCruiser

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 475

Likes: 0

From: Yonkers, NY

A loose nut behind the wheel?
LOL, JK
Could be a lot of things. Tie rod ends, etc. I'd get it checked out at a good shop for diagnosis, then decide how best to repair it.

May 4, 2015 | 01:12 PM

tsedgar

Hawkerpilot05

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 180

Likes: 7

From: MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCruiser

A loose nut behind the wheel?
LOL, JK
Could be a lot of things. Tie rod ends, etc. I'd get it checked out at a good shop for diagnosis, then decide how best to repair it.

I had this problem when my front Left and Right U-joints were frozen. I could still over power them for a turn but in straight driving the wheel would go back and forth. Even if your front hubs are not locked, you still need to articulate the u-joints. What is worse is that starting in 2005 Ford added a grease zerk on the front u-joints unlike previous models and I was unaware of this and never greased them. Something to look for.

2005 Ford F20 Crew Cab 5.4l 3 valve

May 4, 2015 | 03:41 PM

droldsmorland

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 1,825

Likes: 43

From: Land of Taxes

^^^^^^^^^X2 what tsedgar said^^^^^^^^^^^Front ujoints. Grease em at every oil change or at 5K which ever occurs first..

Jul 23, 2015 | 08:34 AM

erniek70

Mountain Pass

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 193

Likes: 1

I may have a similar problem. The issues is sporadic. I can be driving for dozens, if not hundreds of miles, with no issues. Then, out of no where maybe after hard braking), I could be driving the long, and then there is a violent pull to the left (usually), jerking the steering wheel. It is quite scary, at times. Then it may go away as soon as it came. I have a 2005 4x4 F250. Will engaging the 4wd help? The truck has been sitting a lot, and not getting much use. Do I need to grease the front u-joints? Where are the u-joints? Right at the hubs?