Another scarry steering problem
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Another scarry steering problem
On our first trip in our new motor home built on a E450 with V-10, we experienced a very scarry steering problem. Before stopping for fuel, I had to do a tight U-turn with the wheel hard over to the left. When leaving the gas station, I noticed that the steering wheel now centered with the wheels turning right, and I had to turn the wheel 180 degrees, with force to get the vehicle going straight. As we miles away from any service, we decide to proceed to the next town, cautiously. 15 minutes later, going 55, the pressure on the steering wheel suddenly gave, and the tires turned left on me. After I pulled over, I noticed the steering wheel was back to normal.
Any thoughts? This is a rear wheel drive so it's not the front u-joints, plus it's new. Power steering fluid? It was a little low. What was really odd was how the relationship between steering wheel position and tire direction changed, then changed back. Nothing was obvious when crawling under the front.
Any thoughts? This is a rear wheel drive so it's not the front u-joints, plus it's new. Power steering fluid? It was a little low. What was really odd was how the relationship between steering wheel position and tire direction changed, then changed back. Nothing was obvious when crawling under the front.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
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From: Southern Louisiana
sounds like something is loose. i would high tail it to the nearest dealership and get it checked over asap. i am curious though, as to how the rest of you guys trip went concerning this problem?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 39
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From: Washington
I had a similar thing happen to me one day while driving down the highway in the rain going 65mph.
Going around a slight bend to the right in the far right lane I was holding the wheel steady around the corner not having to move it.
Then the wheel was gone. One min I could feel the drag on the wheel then it was gone and my holding the wheel to make the curve shot me over to the concrete divider.
I came within inches. Come to find out there is a steering sensor in the column that had gone bad. This was on a 98 chev tahoe though don't know if Ford uses that setup but they could, I don't know. Just a thought.
Dealer wouldn't replace that under warr , I asked if he would like to take his wife and kids out for the day and use my rig.
Going around a slight bend to the right in the far right lane I was holding the wheel steady around the corner not having to move it.
Then the wheel was gone. One min I could feel the drag on the wheel then it was gone and my holding the wheel to make the curve shot me over to the concrete divider.
I came within inches. Come to find out there is a steering sensor in the column that had gone bad. This was on a 98 chev tahoe though don't know if Ford uses that setup but they could, I don't know. Just a thought.
Dealer wouldn't replace that under warr , I asked if he would like to take his wife and kids out for the day and use my rig.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,008
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From: Annapolis,MD.
bad as ford,no they don't use it (steering wheel speed sensor) used on GM trucks/vans from like '97-up with EVO steering system.What ellmer is talking about I see happen on alot of vehicles.Usually when putting alot of pressure on the wheel once it reaches it's full turning capabilities.I don't have an answer for you (ellmer) other than it does happen sometimes.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 480
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From: Elyria, Ohio
Smart company or not; sounds like the driver could get killed by either system during these malfunctions.
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We'll, took the rig to the local Ford dealer. They were as equally baffled as I as to how this could occur. My final conclusion was it had to happen inside the stearing gear. Dealer agreed and ordered a new steering gear. They will disect the old one tomorrow (I hope) and see if they can find out what happened.
I must say, I am impressed they went ahead and ordered a new gear set rather than trying to overhaul the old one. Old, meaning only 1800 miles.
I must say, I am impressed they went ahead and ordered a new gear set rather than trying to overhaul the old one. Old, meaning only 1800 miles.
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