Steering problem (wheel jerks back and forth)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Itis been 2 weeks now with no problems. I think the new PS pump helped the ailing PS box enough to fix the problem. It acted up 1 time the day I put the pump in and that was the last time. Maybe air in there still. I will post back in a week.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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i had the same problem with my 01 with the 5.4L 108k miles.
i changed the power steering pump last year and its been fine. at first i thought it was the 4x4 axles somehow being engaged so i pull the guts out of the hubs and put the hubs back in. still had the problem. i was just shooting the breeze with a ford guy and i told him what i was dealing with. he said just change the pump. i did and all has been well. i did this back in sept 08.
i changed the power steering pump last year and its been fine. at first i thought it was the 4x4 axles somehow being engaged so i pull the guts out of the hubs and put the hubs back in. still had the problem. i was just shooting the breeze with a ford guy and i told him what i was dealing with. he said just change the pump. i did and all has been well. i did this back in sept 08.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
The pump did it for me too. It's been 3 weeks now and it has never gone that long without acting up. I thought it might be my right hub also because of the wiggly action the u-joints can give but I ran it without hubs a no changes. I think the PS box does it but it is because it doesn't have enough pressure to it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Bummer. I think my pump barely solved it because it did it again the same day I replaced it so I might have to do the box one of this days too............good luck.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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I changed my box on my Suburban and have not had a problem since my last post...remember I also changed the pump and thought I solved the issue but it came back. I think it is a sticky valve in the box that causes this and after I changed the pump the new fluid helped for a little while. Knock on wood with the new box no problems so far...I reused the fluid this time so that will not be a contributing factor.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
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Joined: May 2009
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My '01 Excursion with the Powerstroke diesel has been doing the same thing, worse when towing. Did you replace the PS pump with a factory unit or aftermarket? I recently purchased the vehicle and it had oversized tires/lift etc, so I am thinking that the pump was overworked. Thoughts?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
My '01 Excursion with the Powerstroke diesel has been doing the same thing, worse when towing. Did you replace the PS pump with a factory unit or aftermarket? I recently purchased the vehicle and it had oversized tires/lift etc, so I am thinking that the pump was overworked. Thoughts?
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Joined: May 2009
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The pump has a bit of a whine to it all of the time. With the bigger tires on I could not turn the wheels much at all, but with the smaller tires I can turn, but it is still harder than it should be. I talked with my local Ford service dept and they suggested the front U-joints as well, but based on what I have read the PS pump is an easier place to start.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I wouldn't change the U-joints. They get little use and are only subjected to 1/3rd of the pulling force each when they do. I wish I had all the money people wasted on front u-joints. The PS pump should easily turn your wheels lock to lock on dry pavement with foot off the brake. I believe larger than stock tires also. I made the mistake of getting the pump with no pulley. Maybe that's the way they all come.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
You need a press. I had to walk a mile to a garage with it in a back pack and they did it on the spot. They wanted to charge 1/2 hr time but I squacked and they ended up charging $25.