steering system issues
 

I have a '99 f350 7.3 and I'm having issues with the power steering system. it is extremely difficult to turn the wheels at an idle. the abs light is on all the time now and I have changed out the hydroboost pump and the power steering pump and bled the system. can someone help me out I'm running out of ideas. thank you all

Welcome to FTE!

The stiffness is at idle, but is that while slowly rolling or at a stop?

Did you fill with Mercon V trans fluid? Do not use power steering fluid.

The ABS light means there is a code stored for it, but not every code scanner can read these trucks since they are not fully OBDII compliant. Can you get a good scanner, or Torque app on your android phone plus a ?

The other major component is the steering box. Has that been adjusted recently? Improper adjustment can do what you describe.

Then we have the rest of the linkages and tie rods and wheel hubs etc. A good test would be getting the front wheels up on stands and see if the stiffness continues.

Lots of experience and helpful folks here to help you fix this thing. :-X22

ive got the same issue. I had a lot of slop in my steering and tightened it today. The problem got slightly worse and the pump whines more but the slop is mostly gone. . . Im not too sure how to adjust it wrong?

I have a 02 and it has always been impossible to steer at idle. Have changed ps pump with ac delco (returned it due to pulley walking), then got motorcraft. Changed tie rods and links with Ford parts, got alignment, replaced front end parts with MOOG, replaced all hoses in steering system, and replaced old redhead with new redhead. Same thing! Will not steer idle at stop. I have learned to let truck roll and start making my steering inputs while rolling before changing directions.

my 02 does the same thing when the tires get low. air them back up over 60 psi, and it will steer with one finger stopped at idle.

once it warms up a bit i am going to take the tires off and clean the rims to stop the leaks.

I wish mine would do that. I even replaced the hydroboost to no luck. All tires have 80psi. Oh well, got plenty of older Fords that have the way overboosted power steering so I guess it balances out...

same symptoms with my 2002, only thing i've done is flushed the PS fluid, mainly because i've read other people throwing parts at it and not fixing it. I just deal with it.