I recently bought a one owner, 97 Ford E-150 conversion van, 35K, which I have had a great deal of problems with so far. The four ball joints were out of spec about 1/4" (I think spec is 1/32"). I had the front end aligned, new Michelin tires installed and still have a vibration in just the steering wheel. I can not feel it anywhere else. My thought is, that the ***** joints caused a problem with the power steering, or some other part of the steering system. The PS also makes what I think is an unusual noise when turning the wheels more than half to three quarter turn in either direction. I would say it sounds like what you expect to hear at the end of the steering cycle. Anyone able to confirm this as a known problem, or how is this checked to be certain before I replace the power steering? This is a new one for me. Thanks!

 

if you feel vibration on steering wheel < 30mph, then one or both front tires are out of round, bad quality (not uniform structuraly) or wheels are vobbly. If >40, then tires are out of balance, or bearings/ball joints are loose.
Steering on my E-150 makes a little hissing noise when turning at low speed/parked. I guess it is normal since the load on steering gear is a lot higher in these conditions
den25

 

I've had the vibration with two sets of tires. BF Goodrich came with it, and they were badly worn from the bad ball joints. I just put on a set of Michelin XLT-M&S this week. Ball joints were replaced six weeks ago. The best guess at the moment was the severity of the ball joint damage may have caused a problem with the power steering. Just bought this 97 (34k miles) for $10,400 and had to put another $2500+ into it for repairs, and it still needs a radiator repair. None to happy about that! Making matters worse, the out of State dealer refuses to make good for the warranty, which would have covered half the expenses. Then, after spending $1300 with the local Ford dealer, I find they have charged more than $200/hr with their creative itemized labor fees. I also found they charged the most expensive fees in the area: $95 for a 2WD FEA, $16/balance each tire, etc.
They did lose 4 very good customers in the process.
I had fond memories of an older E-150 I had for 15 years and 185k miles... which never had any of these problems. NEVER needed a FEA! I had put in a great set of Capt's chairs, a good radio and hated to part with it.

 

your lovely out-of state dealer rolled back the odometer from at least 150k. There is just NO WAY the commercial vehicle which Ford Econoline is, be is such a condition at 34k. Also 34k for 8 years old vehicle aslo aint resonable.

I saw few deals like from dealers while looking for the van, especially E-350 are like that.
In one place I checked out E-350, 1999, with 60k on odometer, for like $9500. I could see the vehicle is trash with 200k of neglected driving (there are ways to check the real milage). They told me they bought it from the church. Whole story is bull***. If church guys would drive it 12k/year, there is no way they would trade it in in 6 years for $6000 loosing $26000 from cost of new vehicle paying overall $0.75/mile.
Think about it, would you do that? I would not.

Sometimes I ask just random Ford Econoline owners in places like gas stations is they are happy with theyr vans.
I remember one contractor told me he got 180 k in 5 years without problems and van is making money for him. I asked how often he changes ATF and now much is costs. He told me he takes care of it by taking it every 6 month to place in Salinas CA to change is and it cost $35. Looks for me like oil change thought.
I mean, common guys! He drove 180k and does not know what transmittion fluid is. That's a Ford. He paid so far about $0.14/mile of vehicle cost, + $0.20/mile gas cost, may be $0.38/mile overall. Thats more like it.

 

> The best guess at the moment was the severity of the ball joint damage may
> have caused a problem with the power steering.

Highly unlikely. I would not go there. FWIW: Fords make wierd power steering noises, I can hear a Ford before I see it sometimes.

I have to assume, going by your other post, you are not in good enough health to jack this van up and take test things yourself.

Here is what I suggest. You have no way to know the history of this vehicle and the title could have been washed.

Start with a carfax report.

Then take it to a 1st class body shop (a Ford dealer), have them make sure the alignment is correct, and to make sure the frame is not tweaked from a previous accident, and to check the tracking.

You may find it was out of alignment from an accident and no matter how much you align it, it will still vibrate. It might have hit a big NJ/NY pothole. It might not have been a balljoint problem at all and unless you saw them do the measurements I doubt it had a 1/4" of play. The wheel would practically be falling off.

 

I did see the car fax report, which was clean. The dealer however did not provide a copy, nor a copy of the pre-sale inspection report. See my new post on "seeking advice w/dealer problems." I did track down the original owner. A 75 yr old gent, very nice and no reason to lie, only used the van to take his family to dinners on the weekend. Wife died and he traded it. Yes, the ball joints were that bad! Had it checked at two independent dealers. They were replaced at a Ford Dealer, who also charged $94 for a 2WD FEA, and $16/tire for balancing (and they still look you in the eye as if they did you a favor!)..... afterwards, the van stalled 34 times, in about 500 miles of driving. After the FEA, the van was still pulling to one side. Due to snow, bad tires which by the way still passed inspection, and not knowing when I would be able to drive this, I sent a letter to the dealer asking him to extend the 90 FEA warranty, and he would not reply. The van was in the shop for one month until the computer and MAFS were replaced. I put on a new set of Michelins, and that took care of the front end issues, I hope. I've put on 100 miles, and engine has not stalled.... keeping my fingers crossed. Maybe this is as good as its going to be.

 

may be it was flodded? there got to be some explanation.
BTW I have heard so many stories from sellers like:

"Nissan Altima 5sp, low miles, owned by old lady in Florida". Reality - it is a car for active driver, got aftermarket mods, high miles, rolled back odometer. All bull***

"I am selling this car for my relative. His wife was driving it around town". At same time guy has 2 more cars in his driveway cleaned and ready for sale, each with just 1 fake plate facing the road (for police). He is actually a hidden dealer.

"Nissan Altima, great shape, original owner". Reality: my inspection revealed signes of accident, front bumper and right-front fender were changed few years ago. After hard questioning, owner told us he bought the car 2 years old "almost new" and did not know about the accident.

so I simply prefer not to listen to stories like that anymore. Seller almost always has a motive to hide something, small or big.

To chech the milage: check the wear of a rubber pad on brake pedal (the best indication of milage unless changed); wear of driver side window (the wear is proportional to the numper of times it has been); microcracks and cavities on windshield (indication of extensive highway driving); condition of driver seat (the wear is proportional to the time spend in it); condition of steering weel (the more polished by hands, the more miles it got).
den25