sticky steering issues
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
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sticky steering issues
i am close to changing my steering box but wanted to run my symptoms by everyone to make sure i'm making the right move. my 2002 f350 crew cab 4x4 w/ 6 inch lift sometimes won't turn when sitting still in my gravel driveway. i have to move foward or backwars to get the steering wheel to start turning. also the steering seems a little sticky when cornering. it doesn't return to center like it should. i have already tighnede the steering box to take the play out of it. went 1/8 turn at time to make sure it's not too tight. it was loooose! steering feels nice and tight now! steering box shot? 100k on truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
With the 6" lift, I'd suspect your running 37" tires. 37" tires are going to be difficult to turn to begin with, having the calipers locked down on the rotor so the tires can't shift will make matters worse. So I'd suspect the hard to turn while stopped to be some what normal to indicative of needed a P/S fluid flush.
Not centering up while driving is either a caster issue or resistance in the gear box. Take a long look over the other steering components, but I'd suspect the gear box too from the information you have.
Not centering up while driving is either a caster issue or resistance in the gear box. Take a long look over the other steering components, but I'd suspect the gear box too from the information you have.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
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no whining whatsoever. i am running 35" tires. i have changed every tie rod and end on the front of the truck. also changed one side ball joints (other seemed fine). all this made a huge difference. i don't think there was anything wrong with tie rod ends, just wanted a piece of mind. whoever had this truck before me drove it hard. i have everything looking good now. just ant to get the steering back to as close to new as possible.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 258
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From: Vancouver BC
i am close to changing my steering box but wanted to run my symptoms by everyone to make sure i'm making the right move. my 2002 f350 crew cab 4x4 w/ 6 inch lift sometimes won't turn when sitting still in my gravel driveway. i have to move foward or backwars to get the steering wheel to start turning. also the steering seems a little sticky when cornering. it doesn't return to center like it should. i have already tighnede the steering box to take the play out of it. went 1/8 turn at time to make sure it's not too tight. it was loooose! steering feels nice and tight now! steering box shot? 100k on truck.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 258
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From: Vancouver BC
mine was like that, the orig ball joints had dryed up. Ford had a TSB about testing it with the weight on it. Also, I know some guys with Diesels have hydra lock or something to that effect, foot on the brake, not enough boost left for the pwr assist. I would not be in a hurry to change out the steering box.
The power steering pump provides the fluid pressure to operate both the hydraulically-powered brake booster (hydro-boost) and the power steering gear.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: CA.
Mine does the same thing. I run 37x13.50 tires. Ford changed the steering box already and there was no difference on mine. I have to idle slowly forward or reverse with no brake to turn my wheel easy.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 274
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From: Freeville Ny
I don't have a lift on my truck so this reply might not help. but on the failure to return when cornering issue. my truck did that last year. only it had gotten to the point where it wouldn't return at all. turned out to be a siezed up ball joint on the passenger side and a bad u-joint on the drivers side
