Play in steering wheel fix?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 128
Likes: 10
Play in steering wheel fix?
01 f250 7.3 4x4
When the truck is parked, the wheels and steering wheel are perfectly straight no problem. When I start driving, and the wheels are straight, the steering wheel moves at least 2-3 inches to the left. And at 40+mph there is vibration in the steering wheel, I’m sure it’s not the infamous “death wobble”. The prior owner had the steering damper replaced, but it has the original steering box, pitman arm, etc. The truck is leveled and on stock sized wheels.
do you guys think an alignment, adjustment to the steering box or replacing steering box/power steering pump would do the job?
It also it likes to stiffen up steering when I’m going slow (like 10mph in a parking lot) and braking. When I’m up to speed (40mph+) I can brake and turn no problem. Could that be signs of a bad pump? I was also in park and turned the wheel until it couldn’t go anymore, it felt like it could continue to spin. That also scared me a bit
any help is welcome, thank you
When the truck is parked, the wheels and steering wheel are perfectly straight no problem. When I start driving, and the wheels are straight, the steering wheel moves at least 2-3 inches to the left. And at 40+mph there is vibration in the steering wheel, I’m sure it’s not the infamous “death wobble”. The prior owner had the steering damper replaced, but it has the original steering box, pitman arm, etc. The truck is leveled and on stock sized wheels.
do you guys think an alignment, adjustment to the steering box or replacing steering box/power steering pump would do the job?
It also it likes to stiffen up steering when I’m going slow (like 10mph in a parking lot) and braking. When I’m up to speed (40mph+) I can brake and turn no problem. Could that be signs of a bad pump? I was also in park and turned the wheel until it couldn’t go anymore, it felt like it could continue to spin. That also scared me a bit
any help is welcome, thank you
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Sounds like your steering box is struggling, but you may have other underlying issues as well. Vibration can be tire balance, tires out of round, hubs/bearings, brake issue, u-joints, etc.
The front end needs to be checked out to make sure the steering joints and linkage are good. Check everything from the tires in...
You can use the adjustment screw on top of the gear box to tighten it up, but only do small 1/8 turns at a time. This is merely a band aid though, more of a tourniquet really. It should only be used if no other options are viable.
If you decide to go with a new steering gear, check out the thread below by MiamiPSD.
Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-gear-box.html
The front end needs to be checked out to make sure the steering joints and linkage are good. Check everything from the tires in...
You can use the adjustment screw on top of the gear box to tighten it up, but only do small 1/8 turns at a time. This is merely a band aid though, more of a tourniquet really. It should only be used if no other options are viable.
If you decide to go with a new steering gear, check out the thread below by MiamiPSD.
Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-gear-box.html
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 994
Likes: 367
From: Republic of Texas
Sous ^^^^^^^^
Check the gear box but I bet most of the front end could use an update with that kind of play.
I have about a 1/4 inch of play and I know it is the gear box and the job is on the medium to do list.
Check the gear box but I bet most of the front end could use an update with that kind of play.
I have about a 1/4 inch of play and I know it is the gear box and the job is on the medium to do list.
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