After sitting much of the winter my 2003 has gotten hard to steer. Almost seems like their are "dead spots" when turning the wheel in either direction. Fluid level is good. This is my beach truck so I dont drive it far or often , but I'd like to address this as it's a pain especially at low speeds. Any advice on where to begin is greatly appreciated
2003 steering issue. Dead spots?
- Thread starter jim midd
- Start date
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Sounds like the classic "lower steering shaft" problem. Guess it depends on what you mean by "dead spots". Stiff and binding while turning? I paid $412 to get mine replaced, probably could have done it myself. Temp fix is penetrating oil but really needs to be replaced if thats it. Its the knuckle you can see looking down inside hood.
DF5.4
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Check the u joints on the steering shaft. Spray them down with WD-40 and see if that loosens it up.
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jim midd
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Ok. I read about that affecting f150s and such so was just gonna go ahead and try to replace but when I looked on Amazon and rock auto I didn't see one listed so I thought maybe the espy used a different set up. I crawl under in a bit and check it out. How involved Is swapping this out if it turns out to be the problem?
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jim midd
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Looks like that's what it is. Is this a big a PITA as it looks to change. I couldn't even see it from under the truck! Any guess as to how long I can just spraying it down as needed. Like I said, it's an old truck that I only use on the beach. I think I drove it 4k miles all last year and that's above average.
Oh, and thanks for the quick responses. This is a great group
Oh, and thanks for the quick responses. This is a great group
DF5.4
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My 07 would do that and I could spray it and it was good for a few months in the summer. In the winter i would need to spray it every few weeks. The problem is if the u joints are coming apart and the bearings start falling out.
It's not too bad, here's a video of the replacement
DF5.4
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Mine was just gummed up and needed sprayed. I looked into replacing it if I had to and it looked like it's a bolt on the top and bottom. If I remember right you need to go through the driver side wheel well with extensions to get to the bottom one. The problem was the shaft was dealer only and not cheap.
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jim midd
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That explains why i didn't see one on Rock auto or anywhere else. Thanks. Is it possible mine just seized from sitting all winter. Fingers crossed , lol
1955moose
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Jim you missed by one year! Seems like Dorman makes one but only up to 02. Maybe if that's your problem take a chance with a good used one off eBay, or troll pick and pull, and grab one there.
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StibbyWonder
Member
Hey guys, I've hand this problem recently on my Exped '02. May I know what part in the steering shaft should I spray with WD40?
whtbronco
Full Access Members
That idea of spraying the steering shaft with penetrating oil is for the u-joints. There's 3 u-joints total with 1 in the upper shaft and 2 in the lower. It's the lower shaft, pictured below, that's usually the issue. I have replaced both my upper and lower shafts due to binding u-joints. I also saved the originals so I can try to swap the u-joints if needed.
There may not be any OEM steering shafts available now, but there are at least 2 aftermarket options.
2004 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L V8 Steering Shaft | Shop Now at RockAuto
Steering Parts and More for Your 2004 FORD EXPEDITION at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.
www.rockauto.com
StibbyWonder
Member
Thank you for this informations it helped a lot.
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