steering recovery question
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New User
Joined: Mar 2009
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steering recovery question
In the past few weeks when I am driving my truck when I turn the wheel to go around a corner , like pulling out of a side street onto another street, when the turn is completed the steering wheel will not go back to the center (tires straight). I have to manually turn the wheel back to the center position.
I have checked tire pressures and thay are all good.
The truck is running factory wheels and tires and has close to 50k on it.
Any ideas would be helpful or has anyone else had this problem ?
Thanks Tim
I have checked tire pressures and thay are all good.
The truck is running factory wheels and tires and has close to 50k on it.
Any ideas would be helpful or has anyone else had this problem ?
Thanks Tim
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Had you done anything to the truck when this started? Anything at all?
If not, it is time to check things out. Either the caster angle has shifted, or something is binding.
Either one COULD be indicating something serious has or is about to happen (like something breaking). Or not. But definitely get it checked.
If not, it is time to check things out. Either the caster angle has shifted, or something is binding.
Either one COULD be indicating something serious has or is about to happen (like something breaking). Or not. But definitely get it checked.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Stacy, MN
My '01 does it too. "Steering memory". For me it means it's time to lube all of the front end and I also take a hammer to lightly tap on all the ball joints etc. to make sure everything is lubed and not bound up. Works for me....Make sure also you don't have a stuck caliper. I've had that too.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 713
Likes: 5
From: Minneapolis, MN
Yep. In my case the front u-joints (cv, axle joints, not driveshaft) were binding causing all sorts of weird handling issues. As mentioned, a sticky caliper slide will cause it too, and it's very common on these trucks, although 50k would seem a little soon for a sticky caliper slide, it's still possible.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Thanks for the help guys. I am going to bring it to my buddys shop and check the front end out. It is due for service soon anyway. I did notice a funny rattle type noise from under my hood. I looked yesterday and found that my alternator was loose. Meaning the single bolt on the right was backed out about 1/8" and could be removed with my fingers. It was replaced not lond ago by the dearler. I tightened it up and I did not notice the steering hanging up this morning. I wonder if the belt being loose due to the alternator the power steering pump was not working properly.
Tim
Tim
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
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From: WV
I had this same sort of problem on my '94 Explorer. The front u-joints were bad causing the steering memory problem.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 745
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
WOW.
Well, a loose belt would definately cause the steering pump not to work... along with a bunch of other stuff including AC, water pump etc... not to mention that the alternator itself wouldn't be putting out much if any juice.
Scary, glad you cought it before it caused any serious damage.
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