Will Not Turn - Steering Is Locked! Help
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Will Not Turn - Steering Is Locked! Help
This is my neighbors 2001 f250 SD V10 4x4. He had the front end up on stands and I asked him what was wrong. He said driving home from work and the weirdest thing happened and the steering on the vehicle "locked up" and can barely turn the wheel and then only about 1/8th turn. Said he barely got home and the whole thing was very wobbbly riding as well.
It is not like the power steering is out and it is hard to turn - it will not turn at all. I peeked under and was getting dark, but there are no apparent broken parts. The left wheel that is off the ground does have small amount side-to-side play but no up-and down. No way to drive this safely and will need tow if we cannot figure out. I do not think the truck has 50k miles on it. Drives it little as the v-10 is a ***** on gas.
Can anyone help with where to start?? Please don't flame me but I drive and wrench little Hondas and Saturns so no 4x4 experience.
It is not like the power steering is out and it is hard to turn - it will not turn at all. I peeked under and was getting dark, but there are no apparent broken parts. The left wheel that is off the ground does have small amount side-to-side play but no up-and down. No way to drive this safely and will need tow if we cannot figure out. I do not think the truck has 50k miles on it. Drives it little as the v-10 is a ***** on gas.
Can anyone help with where to start?? Please don't flame me but I drive and wrench little Hondas and Saturns so no 4x4 experience.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
First of all nobody's going to flame you for asking for help. Most of us here have done it many times!
If it's locked up it sounds to me like the anti-theft lock on the steering wheel may have malfunctioned. I'd suggest playing with the lock cylinder and seeing if anyting changes.
Side to side movement on a front wheel is not a good thing. This may or may not have anything to do with his steering problem, but either way it has to get fixed. Earlier this year in a previous job I let a steering problem go to far on my work truck. I got it fixed but it got bad enough it nearly caused an accident. The lesson I learned was to NOT screw around with steering components and to get issues fixed quickly!
If the steering wheel lock isn't causing his troubles you'll have to take a good look at the entire steering linkage. Something's probably awry with either the steering gear or linkage, and it may not be easy to figure out. If the truck was "wobbly" he may have a suspension problem as well. How does the truck sit when it's on level pavement?
If it's locked up it sounds to me like the anti-theft lock on the steering wheel may have malfunctioned. I'd suggest playing with the lock cylinder and seeing if anyting changes.
Side to side movement on a front wheel is not a good thing. This may or may not have anything to do with his steering problem, but either way it has to get fixed. Earlier this year in a previous job I let a steering problem go to far on my work truck. I got it fixed but it got bad enough it nearly caused an accident. The lesson I learned was to NOT screw around with steering components and to get issues fixed quickly!
If the steering wheel lock isn't causing his troubles you'll have to take a good look at the entire steering linkage. Something's probably awry with either the steering gear or linkage, and it may not be easy to figure out. If the truck was "wobbly" he may have a suspension problem as well. How does the truck sit when it's on level pavement?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Tom,
Thanks for the response. To clarify some information, it does not seem to be any kind of ignition lock issue unless i am misunderstanding. From this morning...
You can start the truck up on the stands. The wheel is free but you can only get it to turn to about 10:30 - 1:30 left to right. You can hear the pump when it binds. After it gets to that point it is not like it is hard to turn. You cannot turn it past that point at all.
Only thing I have ever encountered on this was with my 72 T-Bird and happened while going down interstate and the steering started pulling left and could not get it back. Steering gear box fried. I skidded across 2 lanes and came to rest against the median.
I have seen lots of search posts on play but none on this except for some bushing/bearing behind the steering wheel in the column. Anyone else?
Thanks for the response. To clarify some information, it does not seem to be any kind of ignition lock issue unless i am misunderstanding. From this morning...
You can start the truck up on the stands. The wheel is free but you can only get it to turn to about 10:30 - 1:30 left to right. You can hear the pump when it binds. After it gets to that point it is not like it is hard to turn. You cannot turn it past that point at all.
Only thing I have ever encountered on this was with my 72 T-Bird and happened while going down interstate and the steering started pulling left and could not get it back. Steering gear box fried. I skidded across 2 lanes and came to rest against the median.
I have seen lots of search posts on play but none on this except for some bushing/bearing behind the steering wheel in the column. Anyone else?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
If you can hear the pump bind when you are trying to turn it you can rule out bushings or bearings in the steering column. The problem is somewhere in the steering box or the linkage.
I would suggest disconnecting the steering box from the linkage to see whether or not it's the box or the linkage. Don't know the details on how you'd do this, I'd suspect you probably disconnect the end of the pitman arm from where it connects to the rest of the linkage.
I would suggest disconnecting the steering box from the linkage to see whether or not it's the box or the linkage. Don't know the details on how you'd do this, I'd suspect you probably disconnect the end of the pitman arm from where it connects to the rest of the linkage.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
From: USA
Thats a good one! I would pull the drag link off at the pitman arm. Now you have the steering wheel isolated from the steering links.
With the truck up on jacks you should be able to grab a wheel and turn right to left. It should just flop around.
What ever you do dont spin the wheel around! You want every thing to line back up when your done.
With the truck up on jacks you should be able to grab a wheel and turn right to left. It should just flop around.
What ever you do dont spin the wheel around! You want every thing to line back up when your done.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Bunklash,
Sorry about that. There is no outcome yet. He was busy over the weekend in the yard and I was putting a starter on the minivan, replacing a radiator on the honda, and piston soaking the saturn. He may just give a case of beer or a few packs of smokes to the mechanic he uses to look at it in the driveway to see whats wrong and if we can DIY. I will post result when done. Thanks for the help so far.
Sorry about that. There is no outcome yet. He was busy over the weekend in the yard and I was putting a starter on the minivan, replacing a radiator on the honda, and piston soaking the saturn. He may just give a case of beer or a few packs of smokes to the mechanic he uses to look at it in the driveway to see whats wrong and if we can DIY. I will post result when done. Thanks for the help so far.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Florida
Sounds like you've been plenty busy. I wish I could be of some help. I'm just trying to learn something here.
Good luck!
Good luck!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Danielcox756
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
3
Jan 27, 2016 06:42 AM
c2z4s9
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
17
Jul 26, 2012 09:22 AM
RubberDuck
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Oct 9, 2010 05:38 AM
