Loose steering problem
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Trailering
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
Loose steering problem
I've got a 99 f250 LD, 5.4, 4wd and can't figure out why I have this like dead zone in my steering. It's only when I turn the wheel (either direction), it doesn't center back up. I have to give it a small correction and it kinda jerks. I've replaced literally everything in the steering. Inner and outer tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm, steering gear box, upper and lower ball joints, end links, hub bearings. I've also had an alignment after all of this. It tracks straight, doesn't pull.
I wasn't replacing parts trying to fix the problem, just trying to freshen things up on the ol girl. Any help would be appreciated!
I wasn't replacing parts trying to fix the problem, just trying to freshen things up on the ol girl. Any help would be appreciated!
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 573
Likes: 145
When did the steering problem start... before or after all the new parts ? Is the power steering pump working correctly....full of fluid ?
Even though it's off , does the steering wheel always return to the exact same position...or does it return to different positions randomly ?
Even though it's off , does the steering wheel always return to the exact same position...or does it return to different positions randomly ?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,326
Likes: 2,585
From: Near Salt Lake City
The new or reman steering gear is a bit too tight? (Real common)
The caster angle is what helps to return the steering to straight
Hate to say it but the control valve in the steering gear can get ever so slightly loose and cause your touchy feel? issue
Ised to get that complaint once in a while on Lincolns et al.
Most noticable on a freeway on ramp or a parking garage circular exit
Fixed a few by replacing the thousand-dollar control valve in the gear
It comes as an assembly from Ford with the power piston and all the ***** assembled
Good luck
hope it is just an adjustment
Try backing off the sector shaft adjustment 1/4 turn and road test it again
007
That control valve feel is normal IMO, but you know those Lincoln owners
The caster angle is what helps to return the steering to straight
Hate to say it but the control valve in the steering gear can get ever so slightly loose and cause your touchy feel? issue
Ised to get that complaint once in a while on Lincolns et al.
Most noticable on a freeway on ramp or a parking garage circular exit
Fixed a few by replacing the thousand-dollar control valve in the gear
It comes as an assembly from Ford with the power piston and all the ***** assembled
Good luck
hope it is just an adjustment
Try backing off the sector shaft adjustment 1/4 turn and road test it again
007
That control valve feel is normal IMO, but you know those Lincoln owners
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
When did the steering problem start... before or after all the new parts ? Is the power steering pump working correctly....full of fluid ?
Even though it's off , does the steering wheel always return to the exact same position...or does it return to different positions randomly ?
Even though it's off , does the steering wheel always return to the exact same position...or does it return to different positions randomly ?
Power steering pump seems to be working correctly and it is full of fresh fluid.
The wheel returns to about 90% of straight in either direction, depending on which way I'm turning.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
The new or reman steering gear is a bit too tight? (Real common)
The caster angle is what helps to return the steering to straight
Hate to say it but the control valve in the steering gear can get ever so slightly loose and cause your touchy feel? issue
Ised to get that complaint once in a while on Lincolns et al.
Most noticable on a freeway on ramp or a parking garage circular exit
Fixed a few by replacing the thousand-dollar control valve in the gear
It comes as an assembly from Ford with the power piston and all the ***** assembled
Good luck
hope it is just an adjustment
Try backing off the sector shaft adjustment 1/4 turn and road test it again
007
That control valve feel is normal IMO, but you know those Lincoln owners
The caster angle is what helps to return the steering to straight
Hate to say it but the control valve in the steering gear can get ever so slightly loose and cause your touchy feel? issue
Ised to get that complaint once in a while on Lincolns et al.
Most noticable on a freeway on ramp or a parking garage circular exit
Fixed a few by replacing the thousand-dollar control valve in the gear
It comes as an assembly from Ford with the power piston and all the ***** assembled
Good luck
hope it is just an adjustment
Try backing off the sector shaft adjustment 1/4 turn and road test it again
007
That control valve feel is normal IMO, but you know those Lincoln owners
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,326
Likes: 2,585
From: Near Salt Lake City
If you ever get one of those steering gears apart, you inspect the sector shaft, it should have a smooth radius and no burrs
The ones I have seen that have your issue have burrs and are not all that smooth
IMO that comes from having the sector shaft adjustment too tight and driving it around that way
If you have ever seen brake pads that have been ran real hot and hard, they have curled up edges of pad material
The sector shafts get to looking just like that when they have been abused
You can massage them and save 140 bucks for a new one on a rebuild if you know how and where to
007
The ones I have seen that have your issue have burrs and are not all that smooth
IMO that comes from having the sector shaft adjustment too tight and driving it around that way
If you have ever seen brake pads that have been ran real hot and hard, they have curled up edges of pad material
The sector shafts get to looking just like that when they have been abused
You can massage them and save 140 bucks for a new one on a rebuild if you know how and where to
007
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