How should the steering feel?
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
How should the steering feel?
I am looking to buy a 7.3 PSD, crew cab, long box. Undecided on dually or singles. Year 2000-2002. That said, I test drove a 2001 and I thought the steering had excessive slop in it. You could turn the wheel a couple inches without getting any steering input. A little scarey on one off-ramp when it didn't turn right away. I am used to my Ranger which is nice and tight, responds to slight movements on the wheel. My wife's Explorer is similar, though not quite as tight. This is the first 350 that I have driven. Are these things made that way (can't imagine) or is there something wrong? Ball joints or tie rods? I searched around a bit and found some threads about fixing sloppy steering, but what is "normal"?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 95
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I think its normal for these trucks to be a little loose, but what your describing sounds pretty excessive. Did you not get any response at all or it was just very minimal? These larger trucks are longer to turn and dont turn as sharply as a small truck/suv, nature of the beast i think.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 2
From: CA
When I was looking for my truck I did test drive one such, the steering had zero effect for 25 to 30 degree turn on either direction and the seller insisted that it was normal for lifted trucks! I thanked him for that scary interpretation and moved on…like most suggested above, you should look around some more… ALL THE BEST!
Last edited by Vijay; Jul 9, 2007 at 03:20 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,220
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From: CA
Originally Posted by camperboy
but what is "normal"?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
Mine steers terribly. Still replacing components to try to get it right (dampener, tie rods, alignment, tires, etc....). Eventually, I hope it will steer better, but, dare I say, will likely never be as tight as an IFS chevy. But I am good at grenading CV joints!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
Originally Posted by camperboy
but what is "normal"?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 5
Depending in the mileage, it is probably a tired steering gearbox. That is not normal, and a new one sould be fairly responsive. The way to tell is have a friend turn the wheel and look through the fenderwell to the box. look at the input shaft and the pitman arm simultaneously. If there is a lag, the wear is in the box, if there is no lag, then it is somewhere else in the steering linkage, and there will most likely be clunks and tire wear to accompany things. In my opinion, Ford's gearboxes wear out a little to quickly compared to other brands, but if that is the biggest problem, then it is a minor nuisance. Try and use it as a haggle point, and don't let him tell you it is normal.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton FL
The box might be the problem but SDs are notorious for the passenger side of the drag link wearing out, especially if you dont have a stabilizer. If you replaced that and the ball joints, then tightened the box, it would steer like a honda civic only alot bigger.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Straight axle 4x4 truks will never have super precise steering. The suspension just isn't designed for that.
However, slop in the steering wheel isn't good either. It's a sign that your front end needs attention.
However, slop in the steering wheel isn't good either. It's a sign that your front end needs attention.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
Likes: 7
From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Welcome to FTE, Camperboy!
You didn't ask, but based on your handle I'm assuming you are wanting to carry a slide-in truck camper? If so, do yourself a favor and get the dually. A single rear wheel Superduty is overloaded per Ford's GVWR limits with any larger camper out there once you add all your normal gear. And if you don't care about GVWR like many camper owners, you should definitely care about the tire ratings and those are easy to exceed also. My claimed 2900 lbs dry weight camper will even overload my dually if I'm loaded up for a long trip, but I'm along way from exceeding the tire or axle ratings.
You didn't ask, but based on your handle I'm assuming you are wanting to carry a slide-in truck camper? If so, do yourself a favor and get the dually. A single rear wheel Superduty is overloaded per Ford's GVWR limits with any larger camper out there once you add all your normal gear. And if you don't care about GVWR like many camper owners, you should definitely care about the tire ratings and those are easy to exceed also. My claimed 2900 lbs dry weight camper will even overload my dually if I'm loaded up for a long trip, but I'm along way from exceeding the tire or axle ratings.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
When you're driving on the highway, you should be able to move the steering wheel only slightly one way or the other and it should start moving into the next lane. The spool valve springs should be strong enough that just a slight movement of the wheel will start to move the front tires one way or the other.
If you have a dead-spot of more than one inch at the edge of the steering wheel, that's way too much.
Something's worn out.
Move on
If you have a dead-spot of more than one inch at the edge of the steering wheel, that's way too much.
Something's worn out.
Move on