Hey everyone, I bought a 2015 Platinum with 80k on on it. The truck is leveled with 33's. It just developed a steering issue after putting an additional 3k on it.

The first occurrence was making a tight left turn out of my driveway the steering wheel froze and I had to pull it to unlock. After that when I drive over say 30mph going straight it feels like my steering is catching or binding. If I move the wheel there is resistance then a small pop in the wheel and it frees up and drives fine. (Somewhat intermittently as well) Additionally, at slow speed making tight turns I now here a popping noise.

-From what I have read the needle bearings at the firewall mainly create a clicking sound but does not affect the steering ability like my issue.
-This morning I removed each end of the steering shaft and manipulated the U-joints and they seemed fine no rough spots or noticeable binding. If I moved the upper u joint around a lot I could get a little click but sounded more like the grease smacking?
-This is leading me towards the EPAS I have a computer adapter arriving tomorrow to check for pending codes so far no warnings displayed on the dash.

Any one every experienced this? I am trying to trouble shoot just a little more before I order a new steering rack. I have an old phone I am going to mount on the side of the engine compartment facing the steering shaft and I plan to record a video trying to pin point the noise.

Thank you.

 

Got a few things for your to clarify or perhaps update terminology.
What does 'had to pull it to unlock it mean'. Pull what to unlock what?
What happens when you drive 30 during the binding/catching? Does them mean you drive in a straight line and the truck suddenly turns on its own?
I don't know what you are referring by by "needle bearings n the firewall".
Is the upper u-joint you are referring to still on the steering shaft, closer to the cab?

Have you had the vehicle inspected at a front end shop ensuring the suspension and steering components are not failed?

 

In the tight turn out of my driveway it felt like the steering either "stuck" or temporary loss of power steering resulting in a hard to turn steering wheel. Since my truck was then turning towards a curb I increased the force required to turn the steering wheel the other direction and it freed it self and drove normal.

Driving over 30mp going straight down the road with the steering wheel in the 12 o'clock position there is resistance in the steering wheel to turn slightly left or right. Almost like a catch or binding so I slightly increase the force turning the steering wheel and it "pops" past this point and drives normal. Until I turn the steering wheel back through that area of resistance.

I have read several threads on this form relating to a clicking steering wheel. Most of them had the dealer replace the steering shaft and some people came to the conclusion it was a needle bearing seal in the firewall. That is what I read about and I don't think it is my issue.

I am referring to the lower steering shaft that has an upper and lower u-joint. This connects the steering rack to the steering column see the picture attached.

 

I never had mine bind up that badly, like you though, I could be driving straight, and need a slight correction, and it took more than normal input to steer until I got past a certain point. I wound up taking some WD40 to both of those ujoints, and the resistance disappeared. Just an idea. Free fix if that works.

 

did you ever find a solution to this problem? my truck is at the dealer as we speak for this same issue and they're saying I need to replace the entire rack. $2,200 for the job. I have looked everywhere and no one has a definite solution for this. I would be very pissed if I spend over 2k to replace the steering rack and the issue still exists. I have already told the dealer to hold off for the time being so I can shop around and decide if I definitely want to go ahead with the replacement or try a few other things first before shelling out 2k.

 

Hey, I'm glad I got an email letting me know you posted otherwise I would not have seen this.

I would say there is a 95% chance that the steering rack or part of its components have failed. Unfortunately it is an all in one unit and not serviceable. I replaced it myself and it fixed the issue. Rock Auto sells the rack for $815 + a $400 core charge that is refunded when you return the damaged rack. A two year warranty adds some piece of mind along with the ability to return it if necessary.

If you have a floor jack some jack stands it is fairly easy to do the remove and replace. I would be happy to talk you through the process if you decide to go that route. Once you replace the rack it will fix the issue but a whole bunch of codes and warnings on the dash will appear until you get the steering position sensor calibrated. No matter what you read online you CAN NOT do this with Forscan so don't waste your time. Instead drive it to your dealership and they will flash the computer in a couple minutes and $150 later you are done.

All in all it takes $815 for the rack, $150 for the computer flash, $70 alignment, and an afternoon of work. Totaled up to $1,035 to do it your self or let the stealership do the work for double that. Your call!

 

Well that is good to hear that you had success by changing the rack and i am pretty mechanically inclined so I will probably attempt this myself. I cannot justify paying labor for something I can do. The only thing I was questioning is the programming/flashing of the computer. I called a buddy of mine who owns a shop about a half hour from me and he said it’s not hard at all to do but he didn’t have the computer equipment to flash the computer but he did mention that he thought you might have to pull computer data from the old steering rack before removal and then use that data as well as data from the new one to flash the computer. Sounds like you had success just swapping the rack out taking to the dealer with new one installed and they flash it and calibrate and you’re good to go.

I went on rock auto and the price of the rack was around 930-950 from what I remember. What trim level truck do you have?

 

I have the electronic steering assist, is yours the same?

 

I had a similar issue on my last truck, a 2017, a couple of years ago. I could feel it clunk, clunk, clunk when the wheel turned and it would never return to straight like a wheel should. Dealer replaced the steering gear under warranty and all was good again. The receipt stated steering gear, so I'm not sure if that's the same as the rack.

 

what was the trim level of your truck? Mine is a platinum and has the electronic power steering rack, do you know are they all electronic now no matter what trim level? Ford wanted over 2k to do it which there was no way I was going to do that. The cheapest I found the motorcraft part was 1050 after taxes and shipping and was planning to do it myself and just pay for alignment and computer flashing after I installed however I just got a quote from a reputable shop here in town they want 1600 to do the whole job so I think I’m gonna go ahead and do that. After the cost of the part 100 for alignment and 150 to flash the computer the 2-300 extra to have a shop do it and save myself the aggravation might be worth it. Just drop it off and pick it up after it’s all done.