Saturday 150

After towing my 1997 F150 4X4 home (a mile or so with a tow strap) to replace the starter motor the power steering has become ridiculously easy to turn. At first glance nothing appears to be loose - almost like there is too much pressure in the hydraulics. Works fine other than that so I've just kept driving it and it hasn't developed any other symptoms. I want to fix it before my teenager starts driving it - any ideas. Could have been caused by towing it with a strap and someone steering it without any power on - not sure what damage this could do.

torkum

Does the turning of the steering wheel match the front tires directional turning?

Saturday 150

Yes, everything seems to be lined up correctly, the steering wheel is level when the wheels are pointed straight ahead and it operates stop to stop.

torkum

Maybe there was a blockage in the pump that restricted the fluid before and now has broken loose. If this answer doesn't satisfy you go to a used lot that has a 97-98 4x4 and drive it to compare. There are also pressure gauges to see if the pump is in spec.

FOMOCO466

I've got the same issue with my 99 expy 5.4 I rebuilt the motor (all the fluid in the pump changed) and to the steering is super sensative, I mean there dosn't seem like there is alot of feedback in the wheel, almost feels like the front wheels aren't on the ground! tap the wheel and your doing a lane change. I'm running 33 12.50 16.5 BFG's on american racing wheels (note it wasn't like this before the rebuild) after noticing the issue I thought I may have had loose steering parts, saw the idler had some play, changed it, changed upper and lower ball joints, installed the camber adjustment bolt kit and had it alligned.... it's so sensative that I had a tire going low, when I caught it, it was running 18psi and you couldn't even feel it in the steering, take you hand off the wheel and she just went stright, the only way I knew was I made a right turn and could feel the nose dive a bit on that tire, fixed the tire, but it's still way easy.

Saturday 150

Sounds just like mine - I wonder if there is an orifice or regulator in there that is blown. I've driven several other similar vintage F150's and this is clearly very different. I'm concerned that so much torque going into the steering gear will over-stress steering mechanical parts and cause failure or premature wear. Any idea where I can see a drawing of a steering pump?

DV150

Sat150,

Here's some general info on power steering

Here's a troubleshooting guide, nothing on "too easy" though.

Pretty obvious, but you've checked the fluid level, and (longshot) have you checked the 4x4 torsion bar bolt to make sure it didn't move for some reason during the tow.

Saturday 150

DV150,

Thanks for the info. The fluid level is OK and nothing has been leaking - I'll check the torsion bar when things warm up a little. Appreciate the help.

N3UP

Do we have speed sensitive power assist on the trucks?

My wife's Taurus had speed sensitive assist that would reduce the boost as speed increased.

Maybe it stuck at full boost.....

torkum

No, that is a rack and pinion thing.