Ugh! Big problem?

vegas39

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hey all. I've been using my truck daily for pool service and repair but lately, it's hard to steer and when I turn corners and drive on curved roads, the wheel doesn't want to return back to center.
I had the steering box replaced last August due to a leak and thought maybe it was going bad, so the shop replaced it for free under warranty. Still has the same problem and they are clueless!
He says if he lifts it up and pulls the wheel off, everything will turn easily but he says it's possible that something is binding up somewhere. That was just his theory. He hasn't pulled the wheels off to check yet.
My steering column is also making strange noises like squeeking and slight grinding. He says when he put the new box in, that he was able to turn the shaft easily, so no binding there but he did say I'd probably need another column and he said it's a junkyard only item.
I'll be using my Volvo wagon to work out of for now but I really need this truck problem resolved. Thanks! It's my 93f350 that's having the issue
 

reklund

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Hey man!

Went through this on a buddies old truck- the steering column bearings were SHOT. At the time (12 or so years ago, maybe more) the bearings and associated parts were available from Ford. There was some choice words involved in compressing the springs and stuff on the tilt column shaft to get the new races and bearings in, but once we did it was good as new. As I remember it was a pretty cheap fix.
 

79jasper

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I think you can still get a kit from ford. I know steering column services has a kit and instructions.

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Runningaford

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Yup, I redid my column a few years back. It was beyond worn out, and I still have about a 1/2" play. My straight column was about as simple as you can get, but I don't think any of them are hard to get out.
 

Clb

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Sounds like column and or king pins, also sounds like you may need a better diagnostic mechanic.
 

catbird7

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Don't shy away from changing the entire column. It sounds like a big job however it's rather simple. Search salvage yards for trucks of the same era & transmission as yours. Also, you'll notice the 2wd trucks typically have better columns than lifted 4x4's. Another tip, often the problems associated with a messed-up steering column are the result of using the steering wheel as a hand grab for entering the cab. Took me a long time to break myself of this habit.
 

mblaney

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I would think it is ball joints... moves freely when on a lift but binding when under load. Not knocking the steering column advice (you say you have grinding) but I don't see how the column could bind if unless your tilt is excessive or you are hanging off the wheel.
 

79jasper

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I would think it is ball joints... moves freely when on a lift but binding when under load. Not knocking the steering column advice (you say you have grinding) but I don't see how the column could bind if unless your tilt is excessive or you are hanging off the wheel.
So then tell me what happens when bearings go bad? They get easier to turn?
I'll agree he may have more going on, but a bad column is a bad column, regardless.

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vegas39

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I think I do have more going on than a bad column. The hard steering came on a couple weeks before the column noise.
Now that I've messed with it a little more, I don't think the column is causing the problem.
I'll tackle a lot of stuff but this type of issue is beyond me.
 

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