2003 expy deadzone in steering
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 107
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2003 expy deadzone in steering
the truck developed this problem a while ago, I figured it was because of a worn out front end (which it was worn). I redid the whole front including ball joints, control arms, inner and outer tie rods, basically every front joint and bushing, and had it aligned. all's well, except however the deadzone is still there. you don't really notice it at a stop or low speeds, but on the freeway you have to pay attention as the truck will just wander on turns and banks. is it likely wear inside the steering rack? truck is 21 years old and has 322k so it's not beyond the realm of possibility I suppose. I did notice the steering shaft with the rubber isolator has a worn bushing or 2, but jiggling the wheel at a stop and observing the shaft they seem to turn in unison from the column to the rack input so maybe not? had to tell when not moving however like I said before.
here is a short video to show what's happening, when the truck is tracking straight there is quite a bit of wiggle (dead zone) in the wheel where you can move it back and forth without affecting steering:
here is a short video to show what's happening, when the truck is tracking straight there is quite a bit of wiggle (dead zone) in the wheel where you can move it back and forth without affecting steering:
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
Would you rather I tell you that you did something wrong and you have to redo all that work? 
I'm just saying, I've replaced most of the same parts you have because they've worn out and I have some play in the steering wheel. I haven't intentionally tried find the play and remove it.
I'm just saying, I've replaced most of the same parts you have because they've worn out and I have some play in the steering wheel. I haven't intentionally tried find the play and remove it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2020
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Likes: 6
i was more hoping for a "oh yeah its just this [extremely simple thing], itll fix it right away guaranteed!" 
i decided to investigate a little further, the steering shaft has a tiny bit of lateral play, probably because of the 2 decade old isolator, but 0 axial play so idk if this is a red herring. i ordered a cheap pos shaft from amazon just to try anyway since its a 15 minute job.
however, this little test doesnt bode well for it being anything but the rack. i checked underneath while doing this to make sure it wasnt a loose rack bolt or degraded bushing, but again no such luck sadly.
i decided to investigate a little further, the steering shaft has a tiny bit of lateral play, probably because of the 2 decade old isolator, but 0 axial play so idk if this is a red herring. i ordered a cheap pos shaft from amazon just to try anyway since its a 15 minute job.
however, this little test doesnt bode well for it being anything but the rack. i checked underneath while doing this to make sure it wasnt a loose rack bolt or degraded bushing, but again no such luck sadly.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 107
Likes: 6
long story short ive exhausted all other options and am going to replace the steering rack, sadly.
is edelmann a good brand? they have a brand new non reman for 450 bucks.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...7388&jsn=15323
there is also a motorcraft rebuild for 340, but the picture looks like its electric, and googling the part number comes up with steering gearboxes (instead of rack and pinions) so i think ill pass.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...7388&jsn=15322
is edelmann a good brand? they have a brand new non reman for 450 bucks.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...7388&jsn=15323
there is also a motorcraft rebuild for 340, but the picture looks like its electric, and googling the part number comes up with steering gearboxes (instead of rack and pinions) so i think ill pass.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...7388&jsn=15322
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minimalist
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Feb 15, 2019 01:26 PM
