Steering surges driving down the road

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Jun 13, 2017 | 01:11 AM

Steven Krumbah

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From: Buckley, WA

Steering surges driving down the road

Hey all. I'm a noob to the forum and am recently a new owner of a 2006 6.0 F-350. So like any other used rig, it has its quirks. So the one that is bugging me to s the steering. It has been surging hard while driving. It mostly does this when cold. It feels like it's bouncing back and forth then I have to stop and force it from lock to lock. Once I do this it seems to stop it till the next day. I checked the PS reservoir and it's full. The power steering pump looks like it has a slight leak but doesn't seem to be a major issue. The lines going into the steer box are clean and no leaks.

Has anyone had a similar problem like this?

Jun 13, 2017 | 06:05 AM

TooManyToys.

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From: Jersey Shore

"It feels like it's bouncing back and forth then I have to stop and force it from lock to lock."

Nibbling the steering wheel while your braking often is caused by brake rotor disc thickness variation, often misslabled as warped. If this is something different and actually stops happening by forcing the power steering pressure relief to pop off at lock to lock, then it sounds like you have debris in the PS system that may be affecting the valving either in the steering box, pressure relief in the pump, or hydroboost diversion valve. If so, a PS fluid flush with a PS filter installed may fix this. Somewhere here there has got to be a flushing routine written up.

Jun 13, 2017 | 06:13 AM

navistarnut

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From: NW IA

Have someone check under the truck, in park and blocked of course, with it running, and see how much slop you have in the pitman arm when the wheel is turned.

Jun 13, 2017 | 06:32 AM

TooManyToys.

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From: Jersey Shore

Thinking about it more, while I've never experienced it if he has a 4x4 there might be an issue with the u-joints at the knuckles. We'll come up with a good list to check in short order.

Jun 13, 2017 | 09:01 AM

Steven Krumbah

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From: Buckley, WA

It is a 4WD. The rotors so far have not been the issue. This surge happens while just driving. I've got another truck with warped rotors, so I've had the experience of that. The 350 does need an alignment though. As far as the flush, I'll have to do that. The reservoir does have an odd smel. Maybe it's been overheated. For the u-joint knuckles, if they were part of the problem wouldn't the pop while turning. Kind of like a cv shaft? I'll have to also do the pitman check as well.

Jun 13, 2017 | 11:22 PM

Yahiko

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From: Spanaway

Not talking about Death Wobble by any chance are you?

A little but into this video is when it starts.

Aug 17, 2017 | 02:02 PM

Steven Krumbah

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From: Buckley, WA

No death wobble. But both upper and lower ball joints were shot. Got those swapped out and al that entailed.

Now I'm having to deal with a dying FICM.