I have spent many hours chasing all the loose steering issues in my 180k mile ex.

Checked and replaced steering linkage as needed.
new redhead gear, was too tight from factory and loosened 1.25 turns, way better
4* caster shims
toe set 1/8” in
power steering flush
rear sway bar
shimmed sloppy steering input shaft
front axle shaft stub bearing
ball joints one side no movement, one side slight up and down movement but none lateral.
No noises in front end, no loose feeling suspension

I would like it to be the perfect tow vehicle but it’s just a bit hard to keep perfectly straight after an external force is introduced. I could drive with my knee on the highway but trailering with side windload or ruts or massive Adirondack pot holes causes me to chase it back to center. Or side load from semi trucks. Just a little too much slop/delay between steering wheel and drag link it feels like to me.

Question is... how perfect can you get the steering in a pre 05 superduty? I would like it to be as tight as my old 96’ c3500 cc dooly or my 06 tundra or 07’ sienna. Am I expecting too much ?

anyone out there try the Roadmaster spring loaded steering damper? Any idea if it helps with re-centering after external force issue? In my mind it helps get back to center faster.




I am not opposed to changing every bushing in the suspension system but it seems there are many posts where someone or a shop changed $2000 worth of parts and still had poor steering.

Thoughts?

 

Over the past 10 years I have logged over 70K miles, 45K+ of those towing heavy on my '05 EX and honestly I've never had a single complaint about my steering, towing or running solo. All of my steering components are stock or stock type replacements, nothing fancy here. I am using a Dorman replacement steering stabilizer, actually on the second one of those, the first one along with the factory one leaked out which triggered the replacement, I never felt anything different in my steering when they failed. My EX is riding on modded X/ modded B code springs and 35" Nitto Duras still with the factory steering gearbox at 130K mikes.

 

I’m having delayed/sloppy steering issues with my 01 Excursion. Curious what kind of advice comes out of this post.

 

Think about it for a second: "Spring loaded steering stabilizer". How does that work?

 

I mean I guess it makes sense. The one that’s there now doesn’t have a spring... I’ve been around a few trucks and never seen a spring on one. Maybe the spring loaded one will help. I’ll give it a try.

 

How is your steering column? The bearings in the upper retainer on mine were shot, no worse they were gouging the housing. Can you rock your steering wheel vertically? Like up and down?

 

I’ll give that a try when I get home today.

 

Steering Wander and Caster