93 F150 Bumpy Steering when wheel cranked
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93 F150 Bumpy Steering when wheel cranked
I have a 93 F150 4x4 with 81,000 miles. There is a problem that occurs when the wheel is turned all the way to the left or all the way to the right and the vehicle is moving. The best way to see it is when you are in a parking lot and pulling into a space. It feels like there is a flat tire in the front. What happens is there is drag on the wheel then it frees up, and it does this over and over and over. The end result being that the front end of the truck moves up and down slightly.
There are no leaks on the floor of the garage, but when I look in the power steering fluid reservoir, it is no longer a clear color, but looks muddy. I haven't seen that before and am sure it's not a good sign.
Does someone know what this is?
There are no leaks on the floor of the garage, but when I look in the power steering fluid reservoir, it is no longer a clear color, but looks muddy. I haven't seen that before and am sure it's not a good sign.
Does someone know what this is?
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My 4WD has electronic control, so I wondered the same thing, is it stuck in 4WD mode. So, I pressed the buttons in the cab and put it in 4WD mode, then took it out. I don't think that is the case.
When this happens, it feels like there is a flat tire on one of the front tires. But there is no flat. I talked to one guy who asked me if the rack and pinion boots were gone or damaged. I looked and they have distentegrated. He said that water could be sucked up in the steering system and would cause the power steering fluid to be muddy looking.
Okay, I could drain the fluid (if there is a plug somewhere) and then put clean fluid in. But would dirty fluid cause it to feel rough (like a flat) when the steering is cranked all the way to the left or right?
When this happens, it feels like there is a flat tire on one of the front tires. But there is no flat. I talked to one guy who asked me if the rack and pinion boots were gone or damaged. I looked and they have distentegrated. He said that water could be sucked up in the steering system and would cause the power steering fluid to be muddy looking.
Okay, I could drain the fluid (if there is a plug somewhere) and then put clean fluid in. But would dirty fluid cause it to feel rough (like a flat) when the steering is cranked all the way to the left or right?
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Your rig doesn't have rack & pinion steering.
The automatic hubs are notorious for not working properly.
Even if they are working properly, you must drive the vehicle in reverse for 15-30 feet to get them to dis-engage.
If it hasn't been done in a while, it wouldn't hurt to change steering fluid, but probably isn't the problem your describing.
Did you check to make sure your tire isn't hitting the radius arm when it is at full lock?
The automatic hubs are notorious for not working properly.
Even if they are working properly, you must drive the vehicle in reverse for 15-30 feet to get them to dis-engage.
If it hasn't been done in a while, it wouldn't hurt to change steering fluid, but probably isn't the problem your describing.
Did you check to make sure your tire isn't hitting the radius arm when it is at full lock?
Last edited by McLeod; Nov 5, 2006 at 06:51 PM.
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I'm going to change the power steering fluid. I put a rebuilt power steering pump in about three years ago. Also put in new hose lines while I was at it. I thought the fluid looked fine the last time I checked, but I may not be remembering correctly.
In the morning, I'll drive in reverse and see if the hub disengages. I'll also check on what you're asking. I'm wondering now if one of the hubs did not disengage when I was using the truck in 4WD last week.
I'll check all this in the morning when it's light out.
In the morning, I'll drive in reverse and see if the hub disengages. I'll also check on what you're asking. I'm wondering now if one of the hubs did not disengage when I was using the truck in 4WD last week.
I'll check all this in the morning when it's light out.
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Cargo Master
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Originally Posted by Conanski
Sounds like a seized U-joint to me as well...
Last edited by McLeod; Nov 5, 2006 at 10:51 PM.
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The bump steering was quite common on 4X4 Ford trucks...as I posted earlier...Ford added a steering dampener to fix the issue in the 1970's. Since I don't have a parts book at my disposal, I can't remember how long Ford used it.
They do wear out...the device looks like a p/s ram like the older Fords used.
Bill
Partsman/manager 1962-1997
They do wear out...the device looks like a p/s ram like the older Fords used.
Bill
Partsman/manager 1962-1997
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by McLeod
You would only notice a siezed axle u joint IF the hub was engaged. If it is in FREE position, you would get no feel for it through your steering wheel.
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I tried this morning and backed up about 30'. Did it a few times. I think the hub is disengaged now. I didn't think of this at first because I haven't used 4WD in a couple years. Another person in my family drove the truck last week and used 4WD and I didn't know about it until they told me yesterday. So, it would have saved some aggravation if I had knew.
Thanks everyone for the help. I may end up fixing the automatic hubs so this doesn't happen again.
Thanks everyone for the help. I may end up fixing the automatic hubs so this doesn't happen again.
