Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Steering issues

Old Nov 12, 2018 | 09:27 AM
  #1  
TheWhiteBeast's Avatar
TheWhiteBeast
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
Steering issues

This last Saturday I went out to the mountains down the road to do some bird hunting. Upon returning I noticed that when I pulled into the parking lot of the local bar, that I was hearing a popping noise. When I went to drive home, my steering would not return to zero, I had to steer it back to zero. One side note is that some jackwagon in a Navi was coming up the road and wouldn't yield and I had to put the truck in the ditch. I didn't notice anything visibly broken underneath, though. 2002 F-350 7.3
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2018 | 09:33 AM
  #2  
Mike1's Avatar
Mike1
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 438
From: IL
Would be hard to tell without getting under it, but I'd bet you probably bent a tie rod at the very least..
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2018 | 10:06 AM
  #3  
Colorado350's Avatar
Colorado350
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Is the steering wheel straight when the wheels are?
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2018 | 10:31 AM
  #4  
TheWhiteBeast's Avatar
TheWhiteBeast
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Colorado350
Is the steering wheel straight when the wheels are?
Yes. The truck slid into the ditch *** first and didn't hit hard on the front.
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2018 | 10:16 PM
  #5  
droldsmorland's Avatar
droldsmorland
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 43
From: Land of Taxes
"One side note is that some jackwagon in a Navi was coming up the road and wouldn't yield and I had to put the truck in the ditch. I didn't notice anything visibly broken underneath, though. 2002 F-350 7.3"

Did the noise and steering problem happen before or after the accident? If after the obvious answer is something was damaged. Almost impossible to diagnose ober the internet...just educated guessing. Have it inspected before driving...safety item here.

If the steering problem occurred before the ditch meeting then start by checking the front outer U joints. Then BJs and tie rod ends etc.

How many miles on it?
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2018 | 10:57 PM
  #6  
TheWhiteBeast's Avatar
TheWhiteBeast
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
183k miles. Wasn't an "accident", no visible damage.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2018 | 04:25 PM
  #7  
scottscott's Avatar
scottscott
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 339
From: Wildwood Pa
Check your front axle u joints. I'll bet one or both are bad. Now you didn't say if your truck was 2 or 4 wheel drive, so I'm guessing it is 4 wheel.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2018 | 09:50 PM
  #8  
Tanner Smith's Avatar
Tanner Smith
New User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Check Front Ujoints, just fixed this issue on mine. Also rattled going over bumps.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 13, 2018 | 11:04 PM
  #9  
TheWhiteBeast's Avatar
TheWhiteBeast
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Tanner Smith
Check Front Ujoints, just fixed this issue on mine. Also rattled going over bumps.
I noticed when I hit bumps my truck makes a sound like a plastic ball inside a milk jug from the front end.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 08:36 PM
  #10  
Tanner Smith's Avatar
Tanner Smith
New User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
my front axle Ujoints rattled/clunked so loud going over bumps in town I was embarrassed. After I replaced the clunking was gone and was steering able to return after a turn. Hope you get it figured out
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 08:46 PM
  #11  
Colorado350's Avatar
Colorado350
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Originally Posted by Tanner Smith
my front axle Ujoints rattled/clunked so loud going over bumps in town I was embarrassed. After I replaced the clunking was gone and was steering able to return after a turn. Hope you get it figured out
‘After you replaced the…?
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 03:47 AM
  #12  
Tanner Smith's Avatar
Tanner Smith
New User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Colorado350


‘After you replaced the…?
Replaced front axle Ujoints
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2018 | 06:50 PM
  #13  
TheWhiteBeast's Avatar
TheWhiteBeast
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
Just an update...finally got under the truck...the steering damper is smashed nearly completely flat...that'd do it.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kongerup
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Sep 13, 2020 09:26 PM
Loftatsea
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
0
Jun 10, 2015 08:22 AM
351Cleveland C4
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Jul 15, 2013 01:06 PM
greentree ford
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
40
Dec 7, 2012 10:44 AM
dorideher
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Oct 12, 2012 06:43 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:10 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE