Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Steering issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 29, 2019 | 04:26 PM
  #1  
William gagen's Avatar
William gagen
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: San Diego ca
Steering issues

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
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2019 | 06:03 PM
  #2  
268Fords's Avatar
268Fords
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Powell, wy
Could be worn steering linkage or your ball joints. How old are they?
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2019 | 07:38 PM
  #3  
Sous's Avatar
Sous
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Veteran: Air Force
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
FTE Emeritus
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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2019 | 07:39 PM
  #4  
William gagen's Avatar
William gagen
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: San Diego ca
The driver side is new the passenger isnt
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2019 | 12:54 AM
  #5  
aawlberninf350's Avatar
aawlberninf350
It's a Van Gogh
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
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.

 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2019 | 08:04 AM
  #6  
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,114
Likes: 4,718
From: Henderson, NV
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by aawlberninf350
Posted this reply up on the pitman arm thread, then found this thread.
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.

 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2019 | 10:40 AM
  #7  
Brian Hanks's Avatar
Brian Hanks
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 660
From: South AR
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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2019 | 10:46 AM
  #8  
Brian Hanks's Avatar
Brian Hanks
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 660
From: South AR
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.
 
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 Dec 3, 2019 | 10:32 AM
  #9  
William gagen's Avatar
William gagen
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: San Diego ca
Steering issues

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




 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2019 | 09:50 AM
  #10  
Brian Hanks's Avatar
Brian Hanks
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 660
From: South AR
When it rains it pours. Hope you find the source.
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2019 | 09:59 AM
  #11  
Dan V's Avatar
Dan V
Lead Driver
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,647
Likes: 891
From: north of Minneapolis, MN
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.
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2019 | 03:46 PM
  #12  
William gagen's Avatar
William gagen
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: San Diego ca
Loose steering,clock spring, coolant leak

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
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2019 | 10:03 PM
  #13  
kbeefy's Avatar
kbeefy
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
Originally Posted by FordTruckNoob
Another way to check your tie rod ends is with channel locks.

https://youtu.be/NoKHBbX1aVg

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.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2019 | 05:32 AM
  #14  
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,114
Likes: 4,718
From: Henderson, NV
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by kbeefy
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.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
boostm
Excursion - King of SUVs
3
Aug 17, 2012 08:02 AM
ADHD
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
38
Aug 12, 2011 08:10 PM
parkland
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Jul 14, 2011 03:18 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:04 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