Any of you guys ever experienced the phenomenon where your steering tightens up about 20 miles down the road? This has been a consistent finding since I’ve had my truck and I have attributed it to the engine and fluid warming up. Right or wrong. But my steering certainly becomes more responsive and firm down the road versus right after I head out.

 

No. You are a nutcase. J/K

How many miles on her? Any front end work? Any of the common Ford PS pump groaning?

 

More responsive yes, firmer no. I run 37" tires though so steering is always vague. I suspect you are right about fluids warming up being the cause.

 

How are the brakes? Consistent? Or do they change at the same time?

 

160k miles. Original PS pump (so could be issue).. within last 10k miles (I only put on about that in last year as I rarely use it for anything except towing horse trailer, tractor, or all my family and goods a couple times a year long distance) new steering box, new xrf ball joints, tie rod ends, drag links, steering damper, track bar, etc.

Did NOT replace— pitman arm —-
because they sent me the wrong one and i reused one off the old box.

Did NOT replace ps and hydro boost lines
have them just not installed as were in good shape

Brakes work great.Redid with new z36 rotors and pads during the ball joint rebuild and hub reseal, etc.

the improvement on steering is subtle but it is consistently there about 30min down the open road.

Best way I can think to describe it is it holds the road better and you don’t get drift as much side to side. You have to “help it” down the road to start with a little more. If it’s on a road that is uneven or sloped pretty badly you might even think the alignment is off and then it clears up.

Kind of makes me think tired PS pump —
I have ZERO whine and can turn lock to lock while stationary if I have to.

 

I notice that my steering does change as I drive. But mine does go a little softer. But I do have my steering box a little too tight.

 

What condition are your shocks in? While chasing steering slop while hauling my cabover camper I installed adjustable rancho shocks and noticed the stiffer settings reduced the wandering a bit.

Ultimately a new steering gearbox fixed my issues. I don't use the cabover anymore and my truck drives amazing.

 

Have you checked your front axle u joints? A bad joint will definitely change the feel of your steering.

 

U joints checked out when Did the ball joints..

Shocks- have brand new Bilstein 5100s all the way around.