Weird steering issue - might just be in my head

[postwick]

2017 Expedition Eddie Bauer 184k miles. Driving today, I noticed when I'm driving slowly, like in a parking lot, when I'm turning the wheel at certain points it seems like it monetarily gets harder to turn.

Could just be my imagination, but what causes such an issue?

 

[JamaicaJoe]

It's not good. Probably your steering shaft knuckle/ U joint is failing. You could be soon without steering control.

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[postwick]

For others who may find this thread...


Apparently if it's not too bad (like mine) a shot of penetrating oil can resolve it temporarily. The fix itself isn't expensive and isn't difficult. One of the great things about these old Fords, I'm finding - if you have the basic mechanical skills parts are cheap and this kind of maintenance isn't a bug deal.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Some kids got killed driving an Expedition on I4 in FL a few years back. The surviving passenger reported the teenage female driver struggling with the steering wheel. No blowout. Car just steered itself to the right and overturned on an embankment. I would not trust a bit of WD40 with my life. These vehicles have a very overstressed steering system.

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[postwick]

Some kids got killed driving an Expedition on I4 in FL a few years back. The surviving passenger reported the teenage female driver struggling with the steering wheel. No blowout. Car just steered itself to the right and overturned on an embankment. I would not trust a bit of WD40 with my life. These vehicles have a very overstressed steering system.

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Well except for the one instance where I thought I noticed it, it hasn't done it since. And it wasn't severe. And that's with doing 3 days of twisty mountain road driving, hasn't happened again.