Sloppy Steering
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Richmond USA
Sloppy Steering
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Jun-02 AT 11:06 PM (EST)]I understand completely, I've got really sloppy steering too.. its like it pulls left one minute and right the next... I dunno... just had balljoints replaced. I really need to tighten up my steering somehow, it gets a little scary on the freeway :P
My power steering squeals a little, when I'm going real slow. But I flushed it and used the Lucas power steering stop leak stuff. It squeals less but steal I hear it a little. Maybe its my power steering making it drive real sloppy. Or the pulling from side to side could be from my brakes rubbing? They smell like they are very heated, I just had some work done to them. I dunno.. Thanks guys.
My power steering squeals a little, when I'm going real slow. But I flushed it and used the Lucas power steering stop leak stuff. It squeals less but steal I hear it a little. Maybe its my power steering making it drive real sloppy. Or the pulling from side to side could be from my brakes rubbing? They smell like they are very heated, I just had some work done to them. I dunno.. Thanks guys.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Sloppy Steering
Hello,
Well the good ol fords are very prone to floating steering especially on the highway. You must check quite a few items first to determine the cause. Make sure all your front end parts are secure including tie rods, ball joints and especially radius arm bushings. Then take a look at the steering box and the bolts that mount it to the frame. Then take a look at the frame itself. All of these ideas can give you sloppy steering and after all that is checked and corrected if needed head to the nearest alignment shop.
Well the good ol fords are very prone to floating steering especially on the highway. You must check quite a few items first to determine the cause. Make sure all your front end parts are secure including tie rods, ball joints and especially radius arm bushings. Then take a look at the steering box and the bolts that mount it to the frame. Then take a look at the frame itself. All of these ideas can give you sloppy steering and after all that is checked and corrected if needed head to the nearest alignment shop.
New User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Kitimat Canada
Sloppy Steering
I have had the same problem in a couple of trucks.
You need to see how much play is the steering shaft
(firewall to steering box). There is a plastic sleeve
in the slip joint that wears out causing the truck to
wander. Good luck.
You need to see how much play is the steering shaft
(firewall to steering box). There is a plastic sleeve
in the slip joint that wears out causing the truck to
wander. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove USA
Sloppy Steering
I'm dealing with this right now...my steering grabs in the direction it wants to go. Dealer inspected all compnents, and all are fine. Replaced the gearbox, nothing. Then we found that the coupler is bad. Going to replace it next. Hopefully it will fix it.:+
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