While driving my truck, every approximately quarter turn of the steering wheel it loses power steering for a couple of inches of the steering wheel turn. When I pull out of a turn, like making a right turn onto the street when you would normally let the steering wheel basically turn and track back on its own, it can't pull itself through these "none power" spots. I have to physically turn the wheel back straight like in a non power steering vehicle. When its not in these spots, it feels normal. If you were to simply change lanes, you would never know, but when complete turn of the wheel, you will hit about four of these spots that last for about 3 inches of the wheel turn.

Now I thought that the power steering pump was simply going out, after fighting to put the new one in, guess what, same problem. So now I don't know what other parts to check, anyone else had this issue. 2wd 2004 F150.

 

I had the same problem and it turned out to be the Steering shft. The lower universal was seized up in one direction. The part cost around $200.00 plus installation.

 

Anyway to diagnose or check that without pulling it apart?

 

Not Sure, My friend who is a mechanic at a ford dealership dianosed mine. He said that it was a common problem, to the point that they had several in stock at the dealership. I would have someone turn the wheel and someone watch the shaft that comes off the steering colum, to see if it binds.

 

either shaft joints rag joint or possible steering gear / rack issue... do as the last poster stated, have someone check the shaft while someone else turns the wheel if there is a bind up you should be able to see odd movement in the shafts joints.