steering sticking/locking up
 

'96 F-250 in signature. There is a catch to the steering and it almost locks up on me. 228,XXX and right now I believe the u joints in front axle ( manual hubs) are bad. I'm wondering if this is sign the steering box is also bad and or the column bearings? Column and steering box O.E.M. u joints have been changed once.

Doing a search seems any of the three could cause this phenomenon. is there a simple way to isolate and check?

Check the U-joints for the axles at the knuckles for rust streaks. I have had them rust in the caps causing sticking and hard steering.

Seized u joints can cause this, I just re did all mine. If I were you I would do everything if your going to have it apart that far. Ball joints and u joints. As far as the steering , I can't comment in that cause my box is sloppy from 360k miles. It is tolerable. Someday I'll replace that as well.

I will check it out guys. Thanks for the help. the ball joints may not be that old, can't remember but will check it out.

Time for a steering column rebuild. Just did mine, same problems your describing. I quit driving mine until I got it fixed cause I just about ditched it. I got a rebuilt one off of ebay for $200. Mine was completely shot,bad main shaft and the housing was worn where the bearings ran.

Those bearings in the steering column can definitely give you problems. Ususally you can feel the slop in the column though.

Does the steering wheel move any? up, down, left, right? Some problem I had, End up getting a parts trucks with a good column.

OK, axles out and universals SHOT! Ready to install new u joints. Steering column is sloppy up/down and side to side. I have a '93 donor truck, factory diesel, both trucks manual trans, cruise and tilt. It looks a little different, maybe just wasn't taken as good of care? Seems much tighter in all directions. I wonder will it work? Maybe it will work long enough to get parts and rebuild the original? Donor has 159,XXX, the '96 has been used for snow removal so there has been some stress on all components I'm sure.

Thanks for the comments guys. FTE is like having a couple knowledgeable neighbors to bounce stuff off, just have to catch them home.

Is the 93 the same body style? I'd personally find a good one with no slop and throw it in and never look back to the original one.

You definitely need to address the worn axle joints and steering column, and if you still have the same problem, I would say it's the steering box.

The same body style, ('92-'97) that's why I bought it originally. Extended cab diesel, electric doors ZF5. The difference is 2 wheel vs 4 wheel and IDI vs PSD. Other than that the truck was a very pretty blue vs black on my '96.

The axle u joints are in, nice tight but not binding. The center one by the front diff looks good and not loose. Guy down the road said he changes them on truck with ball joint press tool I'm not so sure I want to attempt it.

So, the steering column in the donor seems tighter, same body style, cruise/tilt with a key in the ignition switch. Should I try it?

I guess thinking about rebuilding the steering column is that I bought the truck new and kind of sentimental with original parts.

They should be the same. I know mine came from a 94 5.0 and all I had todo was swap auto shift handles. I'd start by removing the parts truck one and comparing it to the one in your truck. Easy swap. I think 6 bolts and a few plugs.

The steering columns should be identical.

I think the crown vic's and all had the same column - iirc from someone else's post a while back.

Yes in deedy, the front axle is tight and quiet, the steering column changed and it's like having a new truck! It was that bad, hope this one lasts a few years. I'll check into that Crown Vic just to see if it is the same for future ref.

Thanks guys for your help.