I have a 2002 f 250 superduty desiel the problem I am having is a steering problem.it has real loose steering I changed the steering box I've tightened the steering box and now what I'm driving at 60 70 miles per hour and it hits a bump in the road it pulls me into the other lane


I am driving on the 15 freeway coming back from Vegas and I am in fear of my life any help on what might be going on

 

Could be worn steering linkage or your ball joints. How old are they?

 

If the truck is causing you to fear for your life...

YOU SHOULD STOP IMMEDIATELY!!!

I would suggest getting under the front and looking at all of the steering and suspension components. Grab ahold of stuff and shake it.

If your steering gear is failing in a catastrophic way, you need to fix it because you could lose steering and braking at the same time.

 

The driver side is new the passenger isnt

 

Posted this reply up on the pitman arm thread, then found this thread.

First thing that comes to mind is bad ball joints. They wear out with some regularity on these trucks. Could also be bad hubs. Jack up the front and yank the tires around with your hands at 12 and 6. Do the same yanking with hands at 9 and 3. If it's loose at all positions it's probably the hubs, but if loose only at 12 and 6 that's likely ball joints. A handy shade tree mechanic can do both jobs at home with a few tools and some research.

The steering pump takes ATF on these, not power steering fluid.

 

Ditto.

@William gagen If the nut holding the pitman arm on the steering gear was loose, the splines are probably damaged. You will need to replace the steering gear and the pitman arm. It is important that the steering gear's output shaft and the pitman arm have the same spline count. Whether it is 32 or 36, both need to be the same. There is only one allen screw with a jam nut on top of the steering gear to adjust. What screws are you referring to that were leaking?

Another way to check your tie rod ends is with channel locks.

 

Mine did similar things and i replaced everything except ball joints as they “tested” ok but apparently were dry. I had to use a TSB and disconnect the steering linkage and do a friction test (not exactly sure what called) to truly find out if bad. They WERE even though three shops told me they were not as they didn’t do this test. Not worn, but DRY. Also if you tightened the steering gear very far or you could’ve done it too far and can cause issues.
As SOUS said IF bad enough it is causing an unsafe driving condition you had better be careful and advise not driving until getting taken care of. Mine wouldnt jerk you off the road but if you’re on a real bumpy road that was heavily crowned it would certainly give you some pucker factor. my wife hated the truck until I got it taken care of.

 

This guy has a good description. It is also possible IMO you over tighten your steering gear. I’ve certainly heard of people having that start binding and causing similar symptoms as you describe. While the ball joints and other things in steering will cause it to wander truly yanking in the other lane is obviously a more profound thing.

 

We made it home it was 20 hours stuck in traffic in the cajon bend.coming back home from Las vegas.it has been rainy.Hopefully I can get under her today and try some of ur suggestions.but now it seems I have another problem with my girl,she is leaking coolant somewhere front of engine passenger side

 

When it rains it pours. Hope you find the source.

 

Check the weep hole on the water pump. You will find it under the water pump shaft, in the housing. Or, it could be the thermostat housing.

 

Hey guys sorry it took so long to get back I've been workingcan't seem to find out where the coolant leaking from its hasn't done it a couple days now it's leaking again found out that are airbag light came on the clock spring needs to be replaced I've been having a lot of jobs so I've been having to drive hopefully I can get to it a couple days find out the coolant leak and what's going on with the front end

 

I don't agree with this test. I had a tech recommend TRE on a truck at it's first oil change (5000 miles on a 2019 Silverado 3500).
Maybe good enough to warrant further inspection but not gospel.

 

I think this test is a good way to confirm they are bad, but not a good way to confirm they are good. i.e. if the tie rod end compresses with the channel lock, it is definitely bad. If the tie rod end does NOT compress with the channel lock, investigate further.