Steering Wheel Wobble??
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Junior User
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Steering Wheel Wobble??
I have a 1997 Expy and I am starting to get steering wobble around some turns. It depends on the degree. It happens in both left and right turns. Any suggestions? I was looking around the suspension, but didn't see any bad bushings. I recently put new shocks, but the shaking was from before this. I am new to this forum, thanks in advance 
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Delaware
Steering Wheel Wobble??
You may want to first check your alignment and balancing. I have the same feeling about something beeing loose. Mine happens on straight aways usually around 65 mph and above although I've had my tires rotated, balanced and even aligned. I also feel that my steering feels kinda loose. I too have put in new shocks and have always checked my tire pressure. We may have something similar going on.
Any takers out there? I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions
Dan
Drive Safe
Any takers out there? I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions
Dan
Drive Safe
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
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Steering Wheel Wobble??
This is a really common problem with the early Expy's.... Mine did the same thing. I then installed Rancho 5000 shocks, Goodyear ATS tires, Hellig rear sway bar. This fixed the problem, but now at about 71,000 miles the wobble is coming back. The tires have 44,000 miles now and I'm taking it to Cosco for an alinement and balance ($16.00) I'll post the results....
Big Mick
Big Mick
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Delaware
Steering Wheel Wobble??
Originally posted by 97expy5_4
This is a really common problem with the early Expy's.... Mine did the same thing. I then installed Rancho 5000 shocks, Goodyear ATS tires, Hellig rear sway bar. This fixed the problem, but now at about 71,000 miles the wobble is coming back. The tires have 44,000 miles now and I'm taking it to Cosco for an alinement and balance ($16.00) I'll post the results....
Big Mick
This is a really common problem with the early Expy's.... Mine did the same thing. I then installed Rancho 5000 shocks, Goodyear ATS tires, Hellig rear sway bar. This fixed the problem, but now at about 71,000 miles the wobble is coming back. The tires have 44,000 miles now and I'm taking it to Cosco for an alinement and balance ($16.00) I'll post the results....
Big Mick
Drive Safe,
Dan
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Western KY
Steering Wheel Wobble??
Be sure to check the steering shaft, from the wheel, yoke at the steering box. If it has free play in any direction, post it here. The yoke connecting bolt can be installed wrong. It was a recall on the older 97s but my late 97 had the problem. Shouldn't show up on newer ones but???
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Western KY
Steering Wheel Wobble??
Recall # 03S02. Applies to various VINs built at all 3 plants through late '96. Don't let them say it is an F-150 recall. Make them read the small print. It includes EXPYs. If your vin is not included (the NTSB reports say '97 & '98 trucks) maybe they will give it a look for free. It is a simple inspection. Mine did although my EXPY was built in Jan '97. It was bad, turned the bolt and much better although a little play. Dealer is bugging Ford for new parts but losing. I will have to bitch at them I guess. Anyway, look yourself if necessary. The yoke has a plastic cover over it. The clip holding it is not the ones you can see from underneath. The clip is on the top but you can feel it and release it easily from underneath. Push the cover up the shaft and try to push/pull the yoke/shaft on and off the input shaft. Should not move that way or any way without turning the input shaft. If it does, the bolt holding it on the shaft may be installed backwards (mine was). If just a little loose, push the dealer for inspection/parts.
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Junior User
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Steering Wheel Wobble??
I found a link to this recall:
http://www.arifleet.com/Recall.html
http://classaction.findlaw.com/recal...3/pr29-03.html
http://www.arifleet.com/Recall.html
http://classaction.findlaw.com/recal...3/pr29-03.html
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Delaware
Steering Wheel Wobble??
Originally posted by deanjet
I had a set of cheap tires cause that problem. Ford said the belts had seperated internally on my original tires. Ford replaced the tires under a recall.
I had a set of cheap tires cause that problem. Ford said the belts had seperated internally on my original tires. Ford replaced the tires under a recall.
Talking to my younger brother, he says the same thing happened to his BMW. Cheap tires caused the wobble and no balancing nor alignment could fix it. Belts did break internally. Question is, can you visually see by looking at the tires if the belts separated internally? How did the Ford guys know, short of a recall on the tire? Tires aren't a cheap solution you know. Thanks for the reply, now you got me thinking.
Thanks also for everyone's input, good or bad they all matter.
Drive Safe,
Dan
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 321
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From: Hollywood, FL
Steering Wheel Wobble??
I have no idea how the Ford tech determined that the tires had belts seperated internally. The tires looked to be wearing fine to me. I supose it was just experiance that drew them to the conclusion that the tires were bad. Perhaps they took a test drive and thats what tipped them off.
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Steering Wheel Wobble??
I had a steering wobble on my 4WD '98 and it turned out that the stabilizer bar links were broken. It was a cheap fix at the tire dealer, and at 70K miles, still drives straight and smooth.