Steering problem (wheel jerks back and forth)
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Steering problem (wheel jerks back and forth)
2000 EX with the V-10 and 135k miles. This is no typical steering/wandering problem so no need to reply with posts about springs, ball joints, tie rods, etc.
The front end jerks from left to right and you can take your hands off the steering wheel and see the wheel going right, left, right, left, etc. Sometimes it is worse than others and seems be get better when it warms up. It is impossible to control and looks like you might be drunk going down the road.
I searched posts for hours with no answers so it would be appreciated if someone knows what causes it. I did see a couple posts with the same problem but they had no answers.
There is something physically pushing the wheel left and right about once every second.
It's not the U-joints either because they are both spinning freely by hand and it is in 2 wheel drive. This problem comes and goes, sometimes it acts normal and sometimes the wheel almost violently jerks back and forth. It is usually worse when it is cold.
The front end jerks from left to right and you can take your hands off the steering wheel and see the wheel going right, left, right, left, etc. Sometimes it is worse than others and seems be get better when it warms up. It is impossible to control and looks like you might be drunk going down the road.
I searched posts for hours with no answers so it would be appreciated if someone knows what causes it. I did see a couple posts with the same problem but they had no answers.
There is something physically pushing the wheel left and right about once every second.
It's not the U-joints either because they are both spinning freely by hand and it is in 2 wheel drive. This problem comes and goes, sometimes it acts normal and sometimes the wheel almost violently jerks back and forth. It is usually worse when it is cold.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
A friend of mine's F-250 did that. Ended up being the front u-joints were getting bound up from lack of lube in them. I have read on here a few similar stories that ended up being u-joints as well.
1/8 mile Oval Track
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Newport,Tennessee
Have you had your wheels checked? Sounds like a warped wheel or a very bad out of balance tire or something to that nature to me.
2000 EX with the V-10 and 135k miles. This is no typical steering/wandering problem so no need to reply with posts about springs, ball joints, tie rods, etc.
The front end jerks from left to right and you can take your hands off the steering wheel and see the wheel going right, left, right, left, etc. Sometimes it is worse than others and seems be get better when it warms up. It is impossible to control and looks like you might be drunk going down the road.
I searched posts for hours with no answers so it would be appreciated if someone knows what causes it. I did see a coulpe posts with the same problem but they had no answers.
There is something physically pushing the wheel left and right about once every second.
The front end jerks from left to right and you can take your hands off the steering wheel and see the wheel going right, left, right, left, etc. Sometimes it is worse than others and seems be get better when it warms up. It is impossible to control and looks like you might be drunk going down the road.
I searched posts for hours with no answers so it would be appreciated if someone knows what causes it. I did see a coulpe posts with the same problem but they had no answers.
There is something physically pushing the wheel left and right about once every second.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Thanks, but I don't think that's it. The U-joints just sit there when you are in 2 wheel drive and they spin freely by hand.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Thanks but that's not it. The wheels have always been fine (tires good too) and it is an intermittent problem.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
But there is no force that comes from the stabilizer. This is an intermittent problem that actually pushes the wheel back and forth. I was a mechanic for 10 years so I can eliminate the obvious things but I have never seen anything like this. Thanks though.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
I think this guy has the same problem but not as bad:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-steering.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-steering.html
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Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
They are quiet, solid, and turn smoothly. This is a force that jerks the wheel left and then right but not all the time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I might need some luck. It's not a wobble, it is a timed jerk...........very strange.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
It happens at all speeds but not as bad at high speeds, and sometimes not at all.