Sticky Steering
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
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From: Garden Grove USA
Sticky Steering
Ok...I need some help...
I just picked up an 86 F350, and the power steering is very stiff and sticky. There is some play, but that does not seem to be too bad. The stiffness and the stickyness makes it hard to steer. The truck has 87K on it and otherwise seems to be in good condition. I adjusted the adjusting scew, but put it back to where it was since it made no difference. It was just a little low on fluid, but I topped it off, and still no difference. I even had new tires put on it this morning, and that too made no difference. Could it be alignment? Is it the gearbox?
any suggestions?
I just picked up an 86 F350, and the power steering is very stiff and sticky. There is some play, but that does not seem to be too bad. The stiffness and the stickyness makes it hard to steer. The truck has 87K on it and otherwise seems to be in good condition. I adjusted the adjusting scew, but put it back to where it was since it made no difference. It was just a little low on fluid, but I topped it off, and still no difference. I even had new tires put on it this morning, and that too made no difference. Could it be alignment? Is it the gearbox?
any suggestions?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Sticky Steering
If you hear the pump straining and maybe the belt squealing, I would think it would be something wrong with the suspension joints. The baljoints have been known to freeze up with rust. If you don't hear the pump straining, I would think it would be something wrong with the box itself, or maybe the belt is loose, or something is binding in the steering column.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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Sticky Steering
Hi Dan,
If you can the best way to tell is to disconnect a tie rod and see if the wheel turns freely and do this on both sides. I know its a bit of work but it might save you in the long run. This will determine or eliminate a seizing ball joint. You could other than that have a crapped out pump but my senses tell me that the steering box would be at fault.
If you can the best way to tell is to disconnect a tie rod and see if the wheel turns freely and do this on both sides. I know its a bit of work but it might save you in the long run. This will determine or eliminate a seizing ball joint. You could other than that have a crapped out pump but my senses tell me that the steering box would be at fault.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 253
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Sticky Steering
Try this:
Take it out for a pretty long ride maybe to work. Then suck out all P.S. fliud with this neat device from "pep boys",it looks like a grease gun. Keep doing that a few times and it may come back.GOD BLESS
Take it out for a pretty long ride maybe to work. Then suck out all P.S. fliud with this neat device from "pep boys",it looks like a grease gun. Keep doing that a few times and it may come back.GOD BLESS
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
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From: Garden Grove USA
Sticky Steering
OK...I think I found it...
the high pressure hose coming out of the pump and into the gear box is loose at the pump. It will not tighten. Looks like a new hose, and the end is bottomed out so it is not getting a good seal. It's not leaking though, but I know this can not be the right hose. I will replace it in a few days.
Will this cause the problem?
the high pressure hose coming out of the pump and into the gear box is loose at the pump. It will not tighten. Looks like a new hose, and the end is bottomed out so it is not getting a good seal. It's not leaking though, but I know this can not be the right hose. I will replace it in a few days.
Will this cause the problem?
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New User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3
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Sticky Steering
The line you are reffering to on your power steering pump that is loose but not leaking is not a problem as the line is not leaking it has a good seal.
Disconnect the outter tie rod ends and turn the spindle side to side. I suspect you will find a binding ball joint as this is a commen thing on ford trucks.
Hope this helps you. Mickey Scanlon
Disconnect the outter tie rod ends and turn the spindle side to side. I suspect you will find a binding ball joint as this is a commen thing on ford trucks.
Hope this helps you. Mickey Scanlon
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New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 19
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Sticky Steering
Dan, that joint at the pump is supposed to be loose, do not mess with it. From your description it sounds like just what others have refered to, binding ball joints, disconnect the tie rods and wiggle your knuckles I'm betting one or both are tight.
good luck, let us know what happens.
dan
good luck, let us know what happens.
dan
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove USA
Sticky Steering
OK...Thanks for all the advice. Now for a reasonably capable novice mechanic, how involved is it to change the ball joints? Any special tools or euipment needed? Is it worth it to have a shop do it? And are we all agreed it is not the gearbox?
Thanks, you guys are more help than any of the local shops!
Thanks, you guys are more help than any of the local shops!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
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From: Virginia
Sticky Steering
Changing the balljoints is a real pain in the butt. A shop is going to charge right much to do it too. A guy I worked with had sticking balljoints, and he was able to spray penetrant oil around the joint and when it worked itself in, the joint loosened up and the problem went away.
