Can't Steer
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the parking brake only applied the rear brakes. Since the my motor is gas (5.4L), and the brake and steering systems are in no way connected, then the added friction of the brake applied (specifically the front brake) is creating a "bind" that the power steering cannot overcome. To me, this means that it is either a "weak" power steering system (pump), something is out of adjustment (??), or something mechanical is getting bound-up (ball joints??). At this point, I'm leaning towards a weak power steering system, but hopefully I'll find out more tomorrow from the Ford dealer. I'll post results when I learn something. Thanks.
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Sorry guys, but I don't want to let this thread die, as others are having the same problem I am. As an update, took my truck to the Ford Dealer this morning. Tech's first guesstimate is either power steering pump, or steering box. They are supposed to call me later this afternoon to let me know what they find out. Also, regarding my last post; I tried turning the wheel with the parking brake set, and low and behold, I get the same result.. wheel is virtually impossible to turn. I forgot to tell the tech about this this morning, but I'm totally baffled now. Still though, I think it has something to do with the power steering system being "weak". More to follow later today. Thanks.
Lead Driver
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
So in other words it won't steer in park either. Emer brake has nothing to do with it just the truck not rolling. I will go out in my garage and try to turn the wheel with the plow up and in park That would be an extra 950lbs on the front cause I have a winch mount on the truck and other crap on the plow. I'll get back.
Dick
Dick
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Originally Posted by Baywatch13
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the parking brake only applied the rear brakes.
That was my point, to remove the front brakes from the equation.
Gotta go out, put gas in my V10 and see what it does later today.
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The truck will steer fine in park, just not with the brake pedal depressed, or with the E brake on. As I said earlier, I'm kinda stooped. Would it make sense that the rolling play that the truck still has in park would allow the wheels to "roll" just enough so as not to notice the weakness in the power steering system? Just guessing, but hope to get some sort of confirmation from the dealer this afternoon. I'll keep yawl posted as to what they say. Thanks. By the way, I also tried giving it a little gas with the brake pedal depressed, and trying to turn the wheel (that would take idle speed out of the equation), but it made no difference.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
The ebrake and having it in park are the same thing.
I loaded up with 6000 lbs of sand and tried to turn with the brakes on and it turns really hard so I guess I reached the limits of my truck.
I loaded up with 6000 lbs of sand and tried to turn with the brakes on and it turns really hard so I guess I reached the limits of my truck.
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Originally Posted by Baywatch13
The truck will steer fine in park, just not with the brake pedal depressed, or with the E brake on. As I said earlier, I'm kinda stooped. Would it make sense that the rolling play that the truck still has in park would allow the wheels to "roll" just enough so as not to notice the weakness in the power steering system? Just guessing, but hope to get some sort of confirmation from the dealer this afternoon. I'll keep yawl posted as to what they say. Thanks. By the way, I also tried giving it a little gas with the brake pedal depressed, and trying to turn the wheel (that would take idle speed out of the equation), but it made no difference.
It turns fine in park
It doesn't turn fine with the brake pedal depressed.
AND, it doesn't turn with the emergency brake on?
Something's weird. Try this: Put on e-brake, put in Drive, try turning wheel. While you're pushing it in one direction, THEN hit the gas to see if it helps. Diesel or gas?
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Well unfortunately, I have to eat some crow. After the Ford dealer replaced the power steering pump, steering box, and checked everything else, they were stumped. According to what they told me, the spoke with Ford, and they know about the problem. They said that the Ford engineers consider it "normal" as it does not present any safety hazards, nor does it prevent the driver from being able to operate and steer the vehicle. They consider it an inconvienence (to say the least), but not a hazard. The replacement parts the dealer put on did help considerably, but it still isn't fixed. I still find it hard to believe that this truly is "normal", as only some and not all F250s/350s have this problem, but I think I have exhausted all my alternatives. I guess I just have to deal with it, and wait until someone here comes up with a valid solution. I still love the truck, but I will definitely check this out extremely well before I buy the next one (3-5 years down the road). If anyone else can comment on this issue, please do so. Thanks.
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One thing that can hurt or help the problem is probably the angle of the entire truck, as in, up in the back, or level. That little angle difference changes the camber angles in the front.
On EDIT: Sorry, I mean CASTER angles.
My '01 is up in the back an inch or two (more like two) and DOES have the "steering-when-stopped-foot-on-the-brake" problem. I still have to check it out, been driving in 4x4 in the snow we recently had, so I haven't been able to check it out on dry pavement (most roads here on Long Island right now are covered in 1-2" of ICE).
On EDIT: Sorry, I mean CASTER angles.
My '01 is up in the back an inch or two (more like two) and DOES have the "steering-when-stopped-foot-on-the-brake" problem. I still have to check it out, been driving in 4x4 in the snow we recently had, so I haven't been able to check it out on dry pavement (most roads here on Long Island right now are covered in 1-2" of ICE).
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