Steering problem

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Apr 3, 2019 | 08:00 PM

Heathnorrie51

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Apr 2019

Posts: 2

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Steering problem

Hello new member here from Massachusetts. I own a 2005 Ford F350 SD 6.8L gas automatic 4x4 dual axle dump. Truck was purchased used in 2016, and had 11,000 miles. Last fall the steering became very loose feeling, not like slop in wheel, but just not a lot of resistance while turning wheel, so I tightened up the steering box a quarter turn. As time went by the steering wheel would feel fine one day, tight the next, then loose ,then fine again. This past week the steering wheel started flopping back and forth at speed. Could hold it straight, then would violently flop to either side back forth. So I replaced the steering box, and a drag link that had some play in it. Took it for a test drive today, and steering is still almost locking up at times, then feels fine a mile down road, then stiff again. Any ideas or experiences with something similar ?? Truck has 32,000 miles now. Steering damper not leaking, all other tie rods and links seem fine. Truck also developed a surging at idol same day it started the death wobble. Didn't know if everything is pump related. Thank you for your time and help !!

Last edited by Heathnorrie51; Apr 3, 2019 at 08:02 PM. Reason: Add information

Apr 3, 2019 | 11:01 PM

Magoo22

Mountain Pass

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 113

Likes: 1

Sounds like U-joints in the front end. Check to make sure they are not binding. Beyond that the power steering pump could be going bad.

Good luck, can be a rabbit hole...

Apr 4, 2019 | 08:21 AM

Colorado350

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 4,807

Likes: 125

From: Colorado Springs

Definitely sounds like death wobble. Remove the steering stab it’s just preventing you from diagnosing the real issue. Once it’s off, lift the front end up, have someone turn the wheel slowly to full lock several times. Pull out your phone and Record the steering on slow motion while you watch and look for play in joints. Since you replaced the gear box check that the pitman arm is tight!! Check your ball joints, TRE, etc

Apr 4, 2019 | 08:40 PM

droldsmorland

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 1,825

Likes: 43

From: Land of Taxes

Ya I agree with the front outer Ujoints. A 14-year-old truck with 11K means the front drive train likely sat stationary for long periods. Hubs should be locked-in once a month or so to keep the Ujoint cups lose if 4WD is used infrequently.

Apr 5, 2019 | 10:55 AM

Qwazert

Tuned

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 330

Likes: 26

On one of my older Ford trucks, I experienced something similar...the front wheels would seem to lock into position, so that I would have to turn hard to get them to correct. Then, they would stick into that position and so on. This could go on for several nerve-wracking seconds and at highway speed, it's downright scary!
My mechanic discovered that both of my kingpins were seized.
Don't know if yours has kingpins or not...just thought I'd offer it up.
Sounds like something in there is binding...it's a process of elimination.

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