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7.3 excursion steering issue

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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 07:49 AM
  #1  
ObiWanKeMilby's Avatar
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7.3 excursion steering issue

When I turn the wheel all the way either direction, when steering back to center, I feel a strange slip, and then my truck wanders all over the road. I can keep it in the lines, but it’s a job. I have replaced steering gear box with a redhead, all calibers and brake hoses, the bilstein steering dampener was installed 8 months ago. Here is the weird part. The last time it did this, I went ahead and drove it into work. On my break, I come back out to take a look and test it, it is no longer wandering. I'm not sure if rolling in reverse straightened something out, or if there is still a brake issue, but if it were brakes, why is the steering the only thing that causes the issue?


I have been getting away with driving the truck real soft, taking turns real slow and easy, not turning to its full potential. Though I still fear something really failing and causing an accident. My next move is to change the front axel u joints and ball joints. Is there anything else that could be causing this? Maybe it needs adjusting?
 
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 10:22 AM
  #2  
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A front brake issue could cause steering problems.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2021 | 11:48 AM
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RedHead has very good customer service. Call them or email them to explain the issue. They will provide you with specific instructions on how to diagnose the issues, but mainly to rule out the steering box.

I am not familiar with the 7.3L and Powerboost system...but it might be worth researching.

Regardless, have you had someone turn the steering wheel for you with the truck stopped to validate your tie rod ends and ball joints don't have play in them?
 
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Old Dec 23, 2021 | 12:27 PM
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Have you checked your pitman arm lately..? My 02 Ex would wander like that, every other oil change I checked it after the first time I tightened it just 1/4 turn and it cured the wandering...
 
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