Floaty steering
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Fort Worth
Floaty steering
When driving off road or even over uneven paved roads, such as near a construction site where the road way is different heights, the truck really wants to pull every which direction over these spots. I have to fight it. Is this a worn steering damper/stabilizer? The truck has 203K, so it would be about time...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 420
From: Long Island USA
If it just pulls in whatever direction the road leans, or pulls back and forth over uneven road, that's not a stabilizer.
Sounds like something's loose or your alignment is off.
Sounds like something's loose or your alignment is off.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 15
From: Millersburg, OH
Do the following first.
1.) Tighten the gearbox 1/4 turn or so. Take it for test drive and try another 1/4 turn adjustment. Rinse and repeat. If you feel high resistance while tightening the the adjustment bolt in the steering box you went too far and need to back off. If you over tighten the box you'll destroy it.
2.) Replace power steering fluid.
If you still are having issues.
1.) Check ball joints.
2.) Check drag link and tie rods.
3.) Check front bushings and the springs themselves.
4.) Check track bar bushings.
5.) Check wheel hub.
6.) Replace anything that looks worn out.
7.) Have an alignment done.
And finally
1.) Look at replacing the steering box.
1.) Tighten the gearbox 1/4 turn or so. Take it for test drive and try another 1/4 turn adjustment. Rinse and repeat. If you feel high resistance while tightening the the adjustment bolt in the steering box you went too far and need to back off. If you over tighten the box you'll destroy it.
2.) Replace power steering fluid.
If you still are having issues.
1.) Check ball joints.
2.) Check drag link and tie rods.
3.) Check front bushings and the springs themselves.
4.) Check track bar bushings.
5.) Check wheel hub.
6.) Replace anything that looks worn out.
7.) Have an alignment done.
And finally
1.) Look at replacing the steering box.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
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From: Millersburg, OH
Below is a link for the PSD since it's different then the gas engines. The PSD has the HydroBoost which the gas engines don't need.
Ford Super Duty Power Steering Flush | Superdutypsd.com
Ford Super Duty Power Steering Flush | Superdutypsd.com
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: 92592
Do the following first.
1.) Tighten the gearbox 1/4 turn or so. Take it for test drive and try another 1/4 turn adjustment. Rinse and repeat. If you feel high resistance while tightening the the adjustment bolt in the steering box you went too far and need to back off. If you over tighten the box you'll destroy it.
.
1.) Tighten the gearbox 1/4 turn or so. Take it for test drive and try another 1/4 turn adjustment. Rinse and repeat. If you feel high resistance while tightening the the adjustment bolt in the steering box you went too far and need to back off. If you over tighten the box you'll destroy it.
.
There needs to be some slack when the steering is centered because that is where the steering gears are most worn and removing all of that slack will bind the gears when turning.
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