Steering issues
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Steering issues
7.3 is having issues making turns lately. sometimes after making turns truck will not return to center, seems to stick in direction of turn and has to be re centered manually. is this the steeringbox going? pump seems fine. hard to turn at stop signs when not moving. any ideas, also what is the diff between performance box vs. stock?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
magilla,
Is it safe to assume that no adjustments have been done to the steering box in the recent past just prior to this phenom happening?
I ask that because many on here (myself included) have had to 'tighten' their steering boxes due to excess play...however it is very possible to overtighten the box which can result in a similar condition you describe...
I do not know what the symptoms of a steering box going out on its own though...I'm sure others will chime in soon.
joe.
Is it safe to assume that no adjustments have been done to the steering box in the recent past just prior to this phenom happening?
I ask that because many on here (myself included) have had to 'tighten' their steering boxes due to excess play...however it is very possible to overtighten the box which can result in a similar condition you describe...
I do not know what the symptoms of a steering box going out on its own though...I'm sure others will chime in soon.
joe.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
From: Princeton NJ
How many miles and have you checked the ball joints. Binding in the ball joints will reduce return action. I would check the joint before changing out the steering box. Ford has a procedure for checking the force to move a wheel while it is disconnected from the tie rods and resting on a movable plate.
I am assuming you have not changed the caster angle recently.
I am assuming you have not changed the caster angle recently.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
What size tires?
What tire pressure?
How are your brakes? The 7.3 uses the steering pump to power the brakes and steering. It is somewhat common for you not to have great steering ability while at a stop with your foot on the brake but there are fixes. but that doesn' the address the lack of "return to center".
Anyway...I second the ball joints. Sounds almost like classic symptoms. Tie rods could do the same.
What tire pressure?
How are your brakes? The 7.3 uses the steering pump to power the brakes and steering. It is somewhat common for you not to have great steering ability while at a stop with your foot on the brake but there are fixes. but that doesn' the address the lack of "return to center".
Anyway...I second the ball joints. Sounds almost like classic symptoms. Tie rods could do the same.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
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truck has 235000, ball joints replaced 30,000 and checked out fine. hard steering at stop with foot on brake. stock tires and wheels. Only adjustment to stering recent was bolt that holds steering stabilizer was loose (hand tight) Problem was starting before that. can hear some noise when turning wheel either way and feel it in steering wheel slightly. just want to see if I need to check anything else before I pull box, Also is there any danger of losing steering control?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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steering problem
I was having a simular problem when steering and with 30,000 on an 05 I knew something was not right so I took it in to the dealer and they found the steering gear box to be binding so under warantee They replaced the whole assembly. Mine also made a creaking noise when turning left. Let us know what you come up with. I also have a friend that expierenced the same thing on an 02. Dan
