Sticky steering
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Sticky steering
Hey everybody my steering has been getting stiff for awhile now and since we got a boat load of snow over the weekend I had to use the 4 wheel drive after a couple of days with the hubs locked in. Today after i unlocked the hubs my steering started clicking real bad from the steering column and felt like the wheel could lock up at any moment. From my searching i think the bearing in the column are shot. The truck also wanders all over the road and i'm always trying to correct it to keep in my lane. Im cruising a 97 f350 4x4 dually with about 245,000 on it. What do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
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From: Texas Coast
Check the alignment 1st and tie rods and ball joints for issues. Grease them and make sure that you dont have a leak on the discharge hose connection that ties to the pressure fitting 3" under the SP Pump fill neck. Then repost findings. Also are you sure your wheel locks disengaged, recheck them are they manual are auto?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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The tie rod ends probably could use a changing. The boots have cracks and leak grease. Ill check the pump tomorrow. I have manual lockouts on the truck. I'm pretty sure they are disengaging. I have had them apart before and they looked fine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
I think you have two problems. Loose steering components and shot bearing in the column. Chekc the tie rod ends for looseness by jacking up each wheel and shaking back and forth by grabbing the tire at 9 and 3 o'clock. Have a friend shake while you watch for any movement in the tie rod ends.
Then for the steering column bearings is there movement in the steering wheel other than rotational?
Then for the steering column bearings is there movement in the steering wheel other than rotational?
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Senior User
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I'll check them out here in a few. I don't get much movement other than rotational movement. But I have noticed my fuel mileage just took a dive too. Last 2 tanks by the trip meter got me 100 miles per tank! But i did have the hubs locked in around town when it was slick out. Thanks in advance!
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Well i got lucky and took it to a shop down the road and we put it up on the lift and my ball joints are good, and universals are free. Last thing was the steering box. I had to adjust it when i got it because it was so sloppy. The guy at the shop said they aren't user adjustable. They are adjusted at the factory and when the time comes to adjust them they are wore out anyway. He also said my track bar is bad also. Can I just replace the bushings on it to revive it? I think i can get a deal on a box and do it myself. I hate working on vehicles in the snow. Thanks for the replys!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Yes you can get new bushing for the trac bar. I would do that first then see where your steering stands. Loose trac bar will cause mushy steering as well. I would also get a second opinion on your steering box. I have NEVER replaced one because it was worn out! Nor have I ever had the need to adjust one.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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Thanks i'll give it another look over. I'll price some bushings for it too. Is it necessary to get a new track bar if the truck is lifted? Mine has a 6" on it and im not sure if its even the original track bar on it. I'm sure it probably is though. Thanks in advance!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Your bar is probably stock ir lengthened. Either way it is probably moved down with a bracket provided with the lift kit. The bushings should be the same.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: West Texas
That shop wants your money. The steering box is adjustable. That screw it not technically what it is for but it achieves the same result.
If you over do it you go into the guardrail though. It will lock up.
They will over price the box,
Charge you for an alignment
And the labor to replace it.
That's why I have my own shop now and quit working for others.
If you over do it you go into the guardrail though. It will lock up.
They will over price the box,
Charge you for an alignment
And the labor to replace it.
That's why I have my own shop now and quit working for others.
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Senior User
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I adjusted the box but I may have over done it and thats why its binding now. I adjusted it over a year ago. I didn't think it would matter to back it off some now if the damage is already done.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Canton, Georgia
An over-tightened steering gearbox will make the truck drive it the direction that you last steered it. It will not return to center on its own. You will be in a constant battle with the steering wheel just to go straight ahead. Very small adjustments make huge differences when adjusting a gearbox.
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Senior User
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Well i replaced the gear box this morining and it steers smoother but i can still hear some odd sounds from the steering column. I'm gonna swap those bearings out anyway. Could it by chance be the intermediate shaft? Thanks in advance!