Hard steering only when Towing

[Joe m]

Hello all, I have a new to me 2009 limited 2 wheel drive and the steering seems hard when Towing. Even when stopped at a light and turning the wheel it's hard to do... Sometimes.... When I don't have a load on (travel trailer) all seems fine.
I checked steering fluid and it's at a normal range.
Any thoughts???

Thanks

 

[Retiredusps]

the expeditions as well as the f150 are prone to have the universal on the lower end of steering shaft freeze up. wife expy would be ok one day and the next be stiff.you can try aspray lube and soak the xzyk out of it but will reaper after awhile. only real fix is to replace the whole shaft. no one sells just the ujoint

 

[Anchorclanker]

I'm no expert but just a thought. If you're using a wdh could it be set up wrong? Throwing too much weight forward? I have an 08 LTD and tow a camper and have never had this problem. FWIW.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Joe m]

I'm no expert but just a thought. If you're using a wdh could it be set up wrong? Throwing too much weight forward? I have an 08 LTD and tow a camper and have never had this problem. FWIW.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Great thought....
If it's what first responder thinks... It will happen sometime without Towing.. if it does not happen again until I start Towing then it could be my WDH.

 

[07navi]

The top u-joint in the steering shaft freezes too but a new shaft if cheap on ebay and is a pretty easy fix.

 

[Joe m]

The top and bottom are one unit.. Right? I've been checking out shafts but getting confused.. So much out there.

 

[07navi]

The top and bottom are one unit.. Right? I've been checking out shafts but getting confused.. So much out there.

Yes, just one bolt at the bottom and it slides out after unbolting the top, not that hard and not expensive.

 

[Adieu]

Is it drawing power? Maybe your alternator isn't dealing too well with keeping the juice flowing at idle

 

[joethefordguy]

I'm no expert but just a thought. If you're using a wdh could it be set up wrong? Throwing too much weight forward? I have an 08 LTD and tow a camper and have never had this problem. FWIW.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I have to agree. If this only happens when towing, then the tow config must be looked at; either the wdh or the load balance itself.

 

[Joe m]

I have to agree. If this only happens when towing, then the tow config must be looked at; either the wdh or the load balance itself.

I really have only driven it a couple of times in the past month.. Lockdown...
So I can't say it's only when Towing... But I'll start driving it more and see. Thanks