Hello all,
I thought That I would go ahead and post a new thread because I think my first one on this could be dead.

Well should I be suprised confused or mad ? How about shocked, Im just in disbelief and not sure of what to do.
I got to the dealership this morn, with adjustment documents in hand, and explained to the service advisor and mechanic that the adjustment that they did a day or to before was not like what these documents explained as proper.
I also said that if they did this adjustment as per the instruction, that there may not be a need to replace the gear box.
They listen to me and decided that the gear box was bad and decided to go ahead and replace it with out the attempt of proper adjustment.
Well I picked up my X late today with the new gear box installed. And discoverd on my way home that my steering wheel is now of center and the play in my steering wheel is the same with the new gear box if not worse.
I called when I got home and they said that they would straighten the wheel on monday, I can only hope that they will attempt to adjust the new gear box.

Im just wandering if I should just losen the lock nut and adjust the set screw only, on my own ?
I dont have the tools or know how to do the complete procedure on my own, especailly trying to take out the airbag.
Do you think that, this would mess something up within the new gear box, or possibly something else ? Give me your thoughts if you dont mind.
Thanks much
X 03 Jeff

 

I didn't read your last post, or the help that was offered.. But as you probably already know, the adjustment 'shouldn't' be done with the wheels on the ground, 'or' the pitman arm connected to the drag link to be accurate.. If you 'just' tighten the steering box and its too tight, you maynot 'really' feel it, and could possibly damage the shaft/gears.. Maynot be right away, but the 'new' boxs life may be shortened.. Not to mention problems with the dealer if attempts are made. The 'measured' torque/drag needed to pull (crank) the imput shaft over center, or 'off center' as well as 'peek preload' is measured with an inch pound torque wrench.. You 'can' (but not recommended) do it by feel in a pinch, but a torque wrench is the best bet for a good/accurate setting.. If they put the new box in and the wheel is off center, is should corrected with an alignment, and not with a steering centering wheel attempt...

My 03 S/D wanders some, and I've read others complaints for this problem.. If a steering box is out of adjustment 'either' do to ware, or a rebuild/reseal, its 'somewhat' easy to see when rocking the imput shaft back and forth 'slightly' and watching the pitman arm movement. If there's any delay in movement, than the slack or lash needs to be removed, but also needs to be within 'measured' torque ratings.. Hard to know just running the adjustment in..

Was your original complaint to Ford for a wandering condition?

.......................HP....................

 

Thanks for your reply, yes orginal complaint was for wandering and also to much free play in steering wheel, before it grabs right or left, about 3/4 of an inch to an inch.
Alot of play I think. But both problems are still there, after the new box.
I cant help but wander if the play in the wheel is giving me that wandering feeling. And the warrenty thing, I know I dont want to mess anything up with that. Im just one of those people that think if you want it done right do it yourself . Not always a good idea though, I just havent seen any results yet and I really do love this truck and want it right.
x 03 jeff

 

There's something to be said about doing it yourself..

Mine has been in for many warranty issues, and I've seen alot of 'sloppy' attention to detail from our dealer.. I feel for their techs being 'under' the clock.. When I bought my truck, the very first thing I noticed when driving it home was the slight wandering steering, and a little bit later on came the Turbo/Drone.. I especially noticed when my son was driving it with me as the passenger, he was all over the lanes.. Thought it was him!! But the more I payed attention, the more I felt it was moderately exsessive.. We have a fleet of older S/D's and I don't notice it as much with them, although they definetly have more ware on them.. 150K or so.. It's not hard to control, but seems as though I'm always making steering corrections at freeway speed.. I check the steering box, and all the hardware and tire PSI and all looked well.. I also asked the tech that does our alignment work if there has been an increase of alignments/changes, or complaints with the newer S/D's and he said 'not so far'.. I at that point, read some posts here at FTE about the steering concern, as some members were trying to correct the condition with alignment and/or different tires ect.. I'm not sure how many were sucessful.. Maybe there's a happy 'medium' there somewhere.. But your one of the many that I've read about, and have myself to 'some' degree.. Never had the chance to trailer anything heavy, but it may have made it better, or worse!

I'm trading up to an 05, and the steering was 'also' the first thing I noticed as 'arrow' straight with the new front end changes.. Mainly because I was paying attention this time for the issues that my truck has/had suffered from..

Time'll tell......Good luck with your fix, and STAY on'em until your satisfied..

.......................HP...............

 

time to find a new dealer. i had to do it and am very happy i did.