Loose steering
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Loose steering
Hey guys,
Bought a 2003 F-550 a drove it 100 miles home last night. The steering wheel is turned about 50 degrees to the left when the truck is gong straight down the road, but it doesn't really pull left or right. However, there is a lot of slop in the neutral straight-ahead position. I can sort of initiate a pull to the left or to the right simply by turning the wheel a little in that general direction and then quickly flicking back to the straight ahead position. What causes all this slop? It's not that I want the steering to be stiffer, just less slop and dead zone in the middle. I will check the pitman arm bushing, and tie-rod ends. Do the steering boxes themselves wear out? This truck doesn't have many miles (60k) but has been used for plowing the winter all its life.
Bought a 2003 F-550 a drove it 100 miles home last night. The steering wheel is turned about 50 degrees to the left when the truck is gong straight down the road, but it doesn't really pull left or right. However, there is a lot of slop in the neutral straight-ahead position. I can sort of initiate a pull to the left or to the right simply by turning the wheel a little in that general direction and then quickly flicking back to the straight ahead position. What causes all this slop? It's not that I want the steering to be stiffer, just less slop and dead zone in the middle. I will check the pitman arm bushing, and tie-rod ends. Do the steering boxes themselves wear out? This truck doesn't have many miles (60k) but has been used for plowing the winter all its life.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 506
Steering boxes definitely can wear out. Dodge had a HUGE problem with this. Also check the steering shaft itself and rag joint. Of course TRE's as you said and track bar bushings
Grab the steering shaft and rock it. Watch the steering wheel through the windshield. How much travel do you get when parked? You could try adjusting the box if the play is excessive. There's a set screw on top. Small adjustments. No more than 1/4 turn at a time. Try YT for some instructional vids
Grab the steering shaft and rock it. Watch the steering wheel through the windshield. How much travel do you get when parked? You could try adjusting the box if the play is excessive. There's a set screw on top. Small adjustments. No more than 1/4 turn at a time. Try YT for some instructional vids
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Thanks for the advice. I'm guessing I can turn the steering wheel close to 40 degrees in either direction parked with the engine off before any steering action happens. My 2005 has play as well, but not as much. I know during this vintage, Fords did have a bit of slop right at straight ahead, but the question becomes how much is excessive.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,449
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
99 to 2004 were horrible with excess play as the miles racked up. Start with checking things out UNIT BEARINGS, BALLJOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS, DRAG LINKS, TRACK BAR, STEERING BOX AND STEERING SHAFT
Ive owned my 2004 F350 since brand new, i now have 190k on it. Two years ago everything I mentioned EXCEPT syeering shaft I replaced with oem parts. I still have a little play left to right, steering shaft was perfect and i even had a trusted mechanic at Ford look at it and he said there was no play
Ive owned my 2004 F350 since brand new, i now have 190k on it. Two years ago everything I mentioned EXCEPT syeering shaft I replaced with oem parts. I still have a little play left to right, steering shaft was perfect and i even had a trusted mechanic at Ford look at it and he said there was no play
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 893
Likes: 255
From: San Diego, CA
You'll want to check the steering play with the engine running by the way. You'll notice that when the engine is off, you can wiggle the steering wheel a lot more than when it is running.
There is a steering box adjustment screw on top of the box. Loosen the locking nut and turn clockwise the adjuster, only a half turn at a time. This will band aid the loose feel for a while.
I ended up just getting a new steering box from Redhead (Blue Top is also recommended). It fixed the loose steering for me.
If it isn't your steering box, look for tie rod end play.
There is a steering box adjustment screw on top of the box. Loosen the locking nut and turn clockwise the adjuster, only a half turn at a time. This will band aid the loose feel for a while.
I ended up just getting a new steering box from Redhead (Blue Top is also recommended). It fixed the loose steering for me.
If it isn't your steering box, look for tie rod end play.
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
i was having steering issues as well in my 2002 f-350 4x4 ... so over time i replaced the ball joints and related parts.then went through all the steering linkages. i was still not happy with the wandering steering. sooo later on i was reading something about flushing the powersteering fluid. i knew mine had prob never been done so i figured do it and see what happens. WOW what a difference !
the only thing i didnt replace was the steering box.
i had 190-200k on truck when i did this. now at 245k and still going good !
i feel those long drives are much safer now,as before driving any distance would wear me out chasing it all over the freeways !
the only thing i didnt replace was the steering box.
i had 190-200k on truck when i did this. now at 245k and still going good !
i feel those long drives are much safer now,as before driving any distance would wear me out chasing it all over the freeways !
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