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Old May 19, 2026 | 04:28 PM
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Loose steering

My daughter recently got a 2015 F250 6.2L 4x4. So far it's a big improvement over her 1997 F250 Diesel, but the steering seems to be loose. I can move the wheel before the truck changes direction and I feel like I have to keep adjusting as we drive down a straight rode. I had into my regular mechanic and he said everything up front looks tight, though he did replace the Jack Link ball joint. I've tightened the steering gear box about 3/4 turn and it started not returning to center after the turn so I didn't go any further.

What else should I try or be looking at? I've played around enough to be dangerous (replaced ball joints, u joints, and tie rods on the 97). But I'm only good at doing what I'm told and don't really know how to find the problem. Any help you can give would be great.

Thanks,
Nate Baxley
 
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Old May 19, 2026 | 06:17 PM
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Has it been to an alignment shop? A good tech will check all the front end components and if there's anything bad, they should stop and let you know.
 
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Old May 19, 2026 | 06:27 PM
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Pikachu has a great idea.

The last time I went to get an alignment it took the tech about 10 minutes before he decided it wouldn't be worth it to go ahead with it and then showed me the issues with the front suspension.

Essentially it cost me half an hour shop rate to have it diagnosed.
 
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Old May 20, 2026 | 08:12 AM
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I'll give that a try. I love my regular mechanic but maybe alignment and steering components are not their specialty. Anything I should look out for coming from a new shop?
 
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Old May 20, 2026 | 08:17 AM
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Stabilizers

I have a little bit of strolling in the lane with my 2016. I went under the truck with my local alignment guy ( I turned wrenches myself for many years and like to see what is going on) , we didn’t find anything loose at all. Your truck has electronic steering which adjusts for different road conditions and speeds. You might want to research that a little. I am putting on dual steering stabilizers to help and to prevent any possibility of the feared death wobble.
 
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Old May 20, 2026 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Probuild
Your truck has electronic steering which adjusts for different road conditions and speeds.
Would you post a link to that information? I'm unable to find anything on it.
 
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Old May 20, 2026 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by nbaxley
My daughter recently got a 2015 F250 6.2L 4x4. So far it's a big improvement over her 1997 F250 Diesel, but the steering seems to be loose. I can move the wheel before the truck changes direction and I feel like I have to keep adjusting as we drive down a straight rode. I had into my regular mechanic and he said everything up front looks tight, though he did replace the Jack Link ball joint. I've tightened the steering gear box about 3/4 turn and it started not returning to center after the turn so I didn't go any further.

What else should I try or be looking at? I've played around enough to be dangerous (replaced ball joints, u joints, and tie rods on the 97). But I'm only good at doing what I'm told and don't really know how to find the problem. Any help you can give would be great.

Thanks,
Nate Baxley
What's a "Jack Link" ball joint? Are you talking about the track bar, that holds the solid front axle centered, ball joint?
 
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Old May 20, 2026 | 01:18 PM
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Yes, the track bar ball joint.
 
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Old May 20, 2026 | 03:01 PM
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I apologize, the electronic steering did not come out until 2017
 
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Old May 21, 2026 | 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by nbaxley
I'll give that a try. I love my regular mechanic but maybe alignment and steering components are not their specialty. Anything I should look out for coming from a new shop?
Yeah, definitely hit up an alignment shop and have them go over it. A thorough shop will check everything out and tell you what's wrong. I used to have a shop that wouldn't even bill for the inspection time if they knew you were coming back after replacing the parts yourself. My dad and I had built up that relationship over decades, knew the alignment guy by name, heck even knew where he lived, so if he found anything suspect, we'd replace it, then come back for the alignment...so he knew he wouldn't have to inspect anything.

For some things, you want the specialist, not just your normal mechanic.
 
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