F150 Steering Binding on Turns

[makuloco2000]

This is another one that is often misdiagnosed by shops and owners alike. I will tell you now we rarely if ever see a Ford power steering hydraulic failure whether it be a pump or rack they just don't fail they don't even have leak issues for the most part, nothing that would cause a steering issue anyway. If you are having this issue where there is a free bind free bind feeling in your steering take a look at my video I walk you through it.

Ford F150 & Expedition Steering Binding Repair - YouTube

 

[avantgti7]

Hey,

Thanks for your response. I will look at this when I get off work today. A couple questions or comments though.

1. Does the video you pointed me to from YouTube pertain to an older 97 expedition?
2. Why am I hearing a scraping sound in the interior of the vehicle when turning the steering wheel if the bind is occurring in the shaft contained in the engine bay?
3. Does anyone have any idea how the steering lock works on these trucks? Can you take it apart or is it a function of the ignition lock?

Thanks.

 

[EightIsEnough]

The video was posted in our forum because of the similar design. The sound may be transmitted through the steering column masking the real source, or there may be additional issues related to what you have already had to repair.
I just posted the video because I had run across it yesterday, and his description of the problem sounded very much like yours.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[avantgti7]

Thanks.

I removed the 4 bolts holding the bracket under the steering column and the 4 bolts under that too. I moved the seat up enough for the steering wheel to rest on the seat. If I start the engine and try to turn the steering wheel like this, there is no binding at all. The binding seems to appear and get stronger as you raise the steering column up higher towards its natural resting position, secured in with bolts.

It has been cold and snowing here which is why I haven't attacked the intermediate shaft yet.

 

[makuloco2000]

Thanks.

I removed the 4 bolts holding the bracket under the steering column and the 4 bolts under that too. I moved the seat up enough for the steering wheel to rest on the seat. If I start the engine and try to turn the steering wheel like this, there is no binding at all. The binding seems to appear and get stronger as you raise the steering column up higher towards its natural resting position, secured in with bolts.

It has been cold and snowing here which is why I haven't attacked the intermediate shaft yet.

I would do my test as shown in the video and you will know all in about 5 minutes.