I searched for this and could not find enough direct info. This is my 3rd Superduty now, and the 2nd to have AWFUL wander steering issues. My first was a 99 4wd diesel, changed EVERYTHING in the front, shocks, tie-rod ends, ball joints, steering gear box, springs, 2 sets tires, 3 alignments, etc, etc, to still have the wander exist. I got a 2000 4wd diesel and same wander issue, but I am not going to replace the steering gear box or springs. I have new ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, shocks and alignment. The steering wheel has about 2 inches of dead travel, same on both the 99 and 2000 trucks. 2 inches of white knuckle adventure when pulling a trailer. Now, my 06 does not have any issues, but has less than 100k on it and it is a v10.

I asked the dealer and they admitted to several people complaining about wander, but offered no remedy. I have read a few threads regarding adjusting the steering gear box, but I dont think this will fix the dead play in the wheel, seems like it will just tighten or loosen the steering feel. I can have somebody work the wheel back and forth and watch for any play for hours and never find any.

Maybe we can provide a database of all the remedies that have been used, even the goofy ones, like mine... I actually sold my 99 partly because I could not fix the steering issues. Even my friends would not ask to borrow it any more because it was so scary to drive. (after nearly $2000 in parts, labor and tires)

Now, I also heard somebody say something about the power steering pump being a culprit.

any ideas, suggestions, solutions ???

Maybe we can lead this into a 'steering sticky' much like the glowplugs and oasis report threads.

 

Track bar bushings ...

 

I'm in. I have the same issues. So far i have limited repair to replacing the steering box. Had it done at a dealer. didn't fully fix the problem so i had my local dealer adjust the steering box, a little better but not really fixed. The other day i did the adjustment my self, very carefully. Not fixed. Now, after reading the initial post here i had an idea. The power steering pumps on these trucks use ATF. The other day i squeezed out some fluid when i was turning the wheel with the engine off. Without thinking i grabed some Power Steering fluid off the shelf and topped off the resovoir. I tried to get it out and think i got most of it but i'm wondering if i might have topped it off before. If so could power steering fluid in the power steering pump cause the wandering? So, i'm gonna drain and refill with ATF and see if it makes a difference. I'll let you know.

 

Mine is an 03 screw 4wd 102k diesel.I have replaced all of the above, including the track bar and sway bar links. With engine off you can feel the play.

It tracks okay, but bumpsteer is still white knuckle. Even with dual rancho stabilizers. I would trade for a 6.4, but used values are terrible.

 

Here's where I am so far. Yes I have the steering wander issue but I also own a 99 F250 4x4 with 225K. I was thinking mine was partialy the steering wheel bearings, don't ask why im just stabbing in the dark here. Now here is my first real attempt so far. I purchased a NEW or what what some folks call remanufactured steering pump. Just so I am clear I believe when it comes to replacement parts there is NEW from the Ford dealer (not rebuilt or remanufactured) then there is Rebuilt (exactley what the name implies) a used rebuilt part, and then there is Remanucactured (which is a new and newly engineered part) supposidly the reegineering means any bugs that where in the NEW OEM part have been remedied. I installed this remanufactured steering pump and despite what the service manual says I used Power steering fluid (this may be just plain ignorance on my part) regardless it made a substantial differance with my steering wander thus far. My next step is going to be upper and lower ball joints and a new steering column complete with a new steerng wheel or steering wheel bearings at the bare minimum. When I get this far I will post my results here. This is my personal attempt to fix the wander problem. I will post additional results as I get them.

 

Hi. I just went out to the shop and crawled under my truck. I see the track bar but can't say that i understand what it does. And to tell the truth I can't see how worn bushings there could cause my steering problems. But, please enlighten me cause i can use the help. thanks.

 

The track bar is there to keep the front axle centered under the front of the truck during steering. While steering the truck there is substantial side to side load on the front axle and springs, without the track bar it would allow the axle to walk side to side causing a huge wander issue.

 

Link for Steering Symptom Chart CLICK HERE Scroll down about 5 screens for chart. Chart will have WANDER in condition column.

I haven't seen any mention of steering column u-joint issues.

 

what if its as simple as getting a new steering wheel Nut or some crap like that?

 

If you got a loose nut behind the wheel you got bigger problems...

HAHAHA Sorry bad joke

 

I find it ironic there's a steering wander thread for the F250 trucks, because a lot of Excursion owners upgrade to F250 springs to combat the steering wander in our rigs!

The 4x4 Excursions suffer from an inherent steering wander problem due to the softer springs Ford used for the Ex. One of the most common modifications to combat this problem is to swap out the POS OEM Excursion springs for a set of F250 OEM springs.

Here is a compilation thread I put together for peeps in the Excursion forum, since it's one of the most common problems addressed in the forum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...s-for-you.html

There's a lot of reading in that link.

Open, if you dare!



Stewart

 

I replaced everything as well on my truck (f250-4x4) including steering box and a Dual steering damper added too...The one and only thing that finally did it was...I tightened up the NEW steering box about a quarter turn...BAM! sloppy steering gone (finally). Bad part is, it probably won't last that long

 

I forgot to mention I had a 4th superduty. I had a 99 Ext cab 4wd v10 truck, a F250. It had BAD problems, bad case of bump steer also. I sold it quick, but after I fixed the track bar, tie rod ends, shocks and swaybar links. It was also sloppy like the diesel trucks, first gasser that I drove that reminded me of diesel wander. But again, this truck has 230k on it or so..

The bolts were actually loose on the track bar, and simply tightened them up and the bump steer seemed to be gone. Although I was still very nervous to drive it down the road over 35mph.

I

 

OK, I spent the afternoon on the truck. Checked everything steering related. Re-checked mesh load 9 inch lbs preload, 15 inch pounds center load. Just like the book says. Checked the track bar by taking weight off the bar and using a pry bar to try and find some slack. It's tighter than molly's, well never mind, it's tight on both ends. Grabbed wheels and tested both top and bottom for ball joints, no movement. Tried same thing side to side to check wheel bearings, no movement. Sucked fluid out of power steering pump, all mercon. Did a PS pump bleed, had some bubbles but got them out. Tested the steering stablizer. Questionable, it wasn't loose but I could move it in and out without too much stress. Should it be like a shock where when you cut the wire it's very difficult to move? I don't remember what it was like when I put it on but i looked it up and it's been on there since 3/05. Around 60 to 70,000 miles. It's a RANCHO. I'm thinking I'll order a double and put it on. Funny thing, when I got all done and took it for a ride it seemed to steer better. Just my imagination I'm sure. OK, I'm open for suggestions.

 

I don't think it your imagination, when I put my remanufactured PS pump on I noticed an improvemnt.