Steering stuck in position while turning

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Sep 25, 2019 | 10:14 PM

brycemay907

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Joined: May 2019

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Steering stuck in position while turning

Hey guys so I just bought a 1995 f-350 with a 5.8l and the power steering is whining. I'm going to replace that, but I don't think thats going to fix my problem. I can be sitting in park and it turns just fine each way, but when I get going, I can turn each way and it'll just stick to that position and not go back center. What do you guys think it could be, and have any of you had the same issue?

Sep 25, 2019 | 11:35 PM

timbersteel

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Joined: Mar 2005

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From: Mexico, Missouri

It could be someone has messed with the steering sector on the steering box and has adjusted it that it is causing the steering to bind up.

Jack the front end up and see if there is anything binding while turning the steering wheel back and forth.

It could be that it's the power steering pump failing and that whining you hear from it.

Sep 26, 2019 | 03:25 AM

My4Fordtrucks

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Joined: Jun 2015

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Quote:

Originally Posted by timbersteel

Ford power steering pumps aren’t exactly quiet to begin with and then you put additional stress on it with bad ball joints, bad steering gear or something else binding up and it will scream. Find the cause for the steering not returning to center and the pump might whine less.

I my case the ball ball joints were so stiff that it wouldn’t return when driving. I had to steer in the opposite direction to get back to center.

Sep 26, 2019 | 03:37 AM

Laggy

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Joined: May 2017

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From: Scottsdale

It's either the steering gear (aka steering box) being worn/out of adjustment..or caster, which would only be affected with a really big lift and an adjustment to point the pinion at the now higher transfer case. You do this to avoid driveline vibrations. You can test this by putting an angle finder on top of the ball joint or knuckle, any flat spot will do. Anything below 5-7 degrees would explain it. This scenario is highly unlikely.

My guess is steering box. My 95 F-350 would go down the road and steering wheel would go 1/4 turn left through 1/4 right of center and vehicle would not move from center. I'd be driving with the center steering wheel cocked up and down.

I did a reman box from O'Reilly, but for the money, I should have gone Redhead steering gear for another $100. I have one in my Wrangler and it's going strong after 7 years. Timbersteel could be right in that someone tightened something that you really only tighten as a last resort until you can get a new box. Unless you're into rebuilding steering boxes...

Sep 27, 2019 | 10:23 AM

dixie460

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Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 3,533

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From: SW Florida

Yeah, likely a failing steering gearbox. Replace it and if your pump is still noisy after that, replace the fluid with Type F transmission fluid. Supposed to use Mercon if I remember right, but sometimes people put regular generic power steering fluid in and they get noisier than they already were.

Sep 27, 2019 | 12:56 PM

DBGrif91

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Joined: Jul 2009

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From: Des Moines

While the gear box is out, flush the lines to remove as much old fluid as possible. The Ford pumps of this era are definitely noisy even when they were brand new, but dirty and contaminated fluid is a big contributor to it as well.

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve found 2 additives that have helped quiet the pump significantly - MAG1 power steering fluid (or sealer, to be honest I don’t recall but I found it in a gas station when I was in a pinch for some fluid) and Lucas Transmission Fix (used as an assembly lube to rebuild pump and gear - also added about 1/3 total system capacity while bleeding).

I don’t know why but both these additives made a huge difference in the sound of my pump - I hardly ever noticed it except when maxing out the turn radius.