Steering Problems
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
Steering Problems
Hey guys I've been on this site many times looking for answers, but haven't found anything regarding my issue, this problem is getting worse by the minute. So, I decided to finally create an F150 forum account.
Anyways... my 2013 RWD 5.0 F150 has been having steering problems. What happens is sometimes when I am driving and take a turn (usually left) my power steering feels like it shuts down (for 5-10 seconds) and I have to apply a lot of force into the steering wheel. This has happened multiple times, twice while making a left turn on an intersection (almost running into highway railing one of the times) and most recently (2-3 weeks ago) while on a very windy road off of a mountain. I'm not going to lie this is very scary and I am concerned for my safety and the safety for other drivers that I could possibly injure. I went to the FORD dealership and they said that the steering gear may be the problem, but they do not know for sure. I'm 19 and in college so money is very tight, I would like to hear yalls opinions/advice on the matter before I have to drop 2,000+ dollars for a new steering rack.
Thanks.
Anyways... my 2013 RWD 5.0 F150 has been having steering problems. What happens is sometimes when I am driving and take a turn (usually left) my power steering feels like it shuts down (for 5-10 seconds) and I have to apply a lot of force into the steering wheel. This has happened multiple times, twice while making a left turn on an intersection (almost running into highway railing one of the times) and most recently (2-3 weeks ago) while on a very windy road off of a mountain. I'm not going to lie this is very scary and I am concerned for my safety and the safety for other drivers that I could possibly injure. I went to the FORD dealership and they said that the steering gear may be the problem, but they do not know for sure. I'm 19 and in college so money is very tight, I would like to hear yalls opinions/advice on the matter before I have to drop 2,000+ dollars for a new steering rack.
Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 42
From: Central Texas
It very likely is the EPAS system with the truck.
We have electronic power steering in these models, so there's not a lot to really troubleshoot. They're also relatively "common" failures with this generation. I would look over the wiring harness from under the truck (you'll probably have to remove a skid plate if equipped - qty 4 13mm bolts) to make sure it's not covered in oil, or frayed etc.
Often times when the EPAS starts to crap out, you'll hear really strange noises from the front end. An example of that can be seen here:
You could also look at the steering shaft to make sure it's not rusted/binding etc., but from the problem description, it sounds very much like you're just intermittently losing "power steering", and in which case would be the EPAS.
The crappy part is that you can buy/replace yourself, however there's some kind of programming that needs to be done at the dealership. It's probably best to just have them replace it IMO.
We have electronic power steering in these models, so there's not a lot to really troubleshoot. They're also relatively "common" failures with this generation. I would look over the wiring harness from under the truck (you'll probably have to remove a skid plate if equipped - qty 4 13mm bolts) to make sure it's not covered in oil, or frayed etc.
Often times when the EPAS starts to crap out, you'll hear really strange noises from the front end. An example of that can be seen here:
You could also look at the steering shaft to make sure it's not rusted/binding etc., but from the problem description, it sounds very much like you're just intermittently losing "power steering", and in which case would be the EPAS.
The crappy part is that you can buy/replace yourself, however there's some kind of programming that needs to be done at the dealership. It's probably best to just have them replace it IMO.
5 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 397
From: Brantford Ontario
First thing I would check & it would only take maybe 1/2 hr.....remove the steering shaft that runs right beside you're engine (firewall to steering box)..
Check for any binding in each u-joint especially the lower one !! Also especially spray the hell out of that lower joint with a quality lube like fluid film !! (not WD 40
If your a little lazy just spray the joint on the truck (again especially the lower one) You may be startled @ the difference !!
Been there done that thinking the power steering is craping out !!!!! It would bind & act like no power assist for seconds @ a time !!
PS: I use to have to spray that joint (till I replaced it) every 3-5 days to keep it happy & working freely.....Again I run daily high mileage!!
Check for any binding in each u-joint especially the lower one !! Also especially spray the hell out of that lower joint with a quality lube like fluid film !! (not WD 40
If your a little lazy just spray the joint on the truck (again especially the lower one) You may be startled @ the difference !!
Been there done that thinking the power steering is craping out !!!!! It would bind & act like no power assist for seconds @ a time !!
PS: I use to have to spray that joint (till I replaced it) every 3-5 days to keep it happy & working freely.....Again I run daily high mileage!!
Last edited by maco; Mar 29, 2021 at 02:51 PM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 397
From: Brantford Ontario
Just a further update.....I can not stress enough your problem just maybe is that steering shaft...The way you describe it is exactly my feelings what happened to mine on 2 different trucks.... (2010 & 2011) .....& yes it will seem to bind & not want to turn more one way than the other !! Like you're gonna crash !!
If you do spray with lube it will correct it @ least for a few days @ a time ........I carried my lube with me (remember I was out of town + high daily mileage) & I could feel it starting to stiffen up....So then I would find a concrete curb to drive drivers side wheel up on ; crawl underneath & respray it till I got home some 2-3 weeks later !!
Back in the day ford wanted something like $400.00 + for those shafts (much cheaper now)
I got mine of E-Bay (china) for around $60.00 Cdn. ....out of Montreal Canada.....
Also plz update you're fix so others can learn....Thks
If you do spray with lube it will correct it @ least for a few days @ a time ........I carried my lube with me (remember I was out of town + high daily mileage) & I could feel it starting to stiffen up....So then I would find a concrete curb to drive drivers side wheel up on ; crawl underneath & respray it till I got home some 2-3 weeks later !!
Back in the day ford wanted something like $400.00 + for those shafts (much cheaper now)
I got mine of E-Bay (china) for around $60.00 Cdn. ....out of Montreal Canada.....
Also plz update you're fix so others can learn....Thks
Last edited by maco; Mar 29, 2021 at 02:53 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
Just a further update.....I can not stress enough your problem just maybe is that steering shaft...The way you describe it is exactly my feelings what happened to mine on 2 different trucks.... (2010 & 2011) .....& yes it will seem to bind & not want to turn more one way than the other !! Like you're gonna crash !!
If you do spray with lube it will correct it @ least for a few days @ a time ........I carried my lube with me (remember I was out of town + high daily mileage) & I could feel it starting to stiffen up....So then I would find a concrete curb to drive drivers side wheel up on ; crawl underneath & respray it till I got home some 2-3 weeks later !!
Back in the day ford wanted something like $400.00 + for those shafts (much cheaper now)
I got mine of E-Bay (china) for around $60.00 Cdn. ....out of Montreal Canada.....
Also plz update you're fix so others can learn....Thks
If you do spray with lube it will correct it @ least for a few days @ a time ........I carried my lube with me (remember I was out of town + high daily mileage) & I could feel it starting to stiffen up....So then I would find a concrete curb to drive drivers side wheel up on ; crawl underneath & respray it till I got home some 2-3 weeks later !!
Back in the day ford wanted something like $400.00 + for those shafts (much cheaper now)
I got mine of E-Bay (china) for around $60.00 Cdn. ....out of Montreal Canada.....
Also plz update you're fix so others can learn....Thks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
It very likely is the EPAS system with the truck.
We have electronic power steering in these models, so there's not a lot to really troubleshoot. They're also relatively "common" failures with this generation. I would look over the wiring harness from under the truck (you'll probably have to remove a skid plate if equipped - qty 4 13mm bolts) to make sure it's not covered in oil, or frayed etc.
Often times when the EPAS starts to crap out, you'll hear really strange noises from the front end. An example of that can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em4uSrBZwIk
You could also look at the steering shaft to make sure it's not rusted/binding etc., but from the problem description, it sounds very much like you're just intermittently losing "power steering", and in which case would be the EPAS.
The crappy part is that you can buy/replace yourself, however there's some kind of programming that needs to be done at the dealership. It's probably best to just have them replace it IMO.
We have electronic power steering in these models, so there's not a lot to really troubleshoot. They're also relatively "common" failures with this generation. I would look over the wiring harness from under the truck (you'll probably have to remove a skid plate if equipped - qty 4 13mm bolts) to make sure it's not covered in oil, or frayed etc.
Often times when the EPAS starts to crap out, you'll hear really strange noises from the front end. An example of that can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em4uSrBZwIk
You could also look at the steering shaft to make sure it's not rusted/binding etc., but from the problem description, it sounds very much like you're just intermittently losing "power steering", and in which case would be the EPAS.
The crappy part is that you can buy/replace yourself, however there's some kind of programming that needs to be done at the dealership. It's probably best to just have them replace it IMO.
Bleeds Ford Blue
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 770
Likes: 406
From: J-Town, NJ
+1 on the u-joints. I used a silicone foaming spray last time (over a year ago). Fixed my problem of it feeling like the steering was binding. It would feel like I hit a wall and would have to muscle it over to complete the turn.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
It very likely is the EPAS system with the truck.
We have electronic power steering in these models, so there's not a lot to really troubleshoot. They're also relatively "common" failures with this generation. I would look over the wiring harness from under the truck (you'll probably have to remove a skid plate if equipped - qty 4 13mm bolts) to make sure it's not covered in oil, or frayed etc.
Often times when the EPAS starts to crap out, you'll hear really strange noises from the front end. An example of that can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em4uSrBZwIk
You could also look at the steering shaft to make sure it's not rusted/binding etc., but from the problem description, it sounds very much like you're just intermittently losing "power steering", and in which case would be the EPAS.
The crappy part is that you can buy/replace yourself, however there's some kind of programming that needs to be done at the dealership. It's probably best to just have them replace it IMO.
We have electronic power steering in these models, so there's not a lot to really troubleshoot. They're also relatively "common" failures with this generation. I would look over the wiring harness from under the truck (you'll probably have to remove a skid plate if equipped - qty 4 13mm bolts) to make sure it's not covered in oil, or frayed etc.
Often times when the EPAS starts to crap out, you'll hear really strange noises from the front end. An example of that can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em4uSrBZwIk
You could also look at the steering shaft to make sure it's not rusted/binding etc., but from the problem description, it sounds very much like you're just intermittently losing "power steering", and in which case would be the EPAS.
The crappy part is that you can buy/replace yourself, however there's some kind of programming that needs to be done at the dealership. It's probably best to just have them replace it IMO.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 259
Likes: 97
From: Ontario
First thing I would check & it would only take maybe 1/2 hr.....remove the steering shaft that runs right beside you're engine (firewall to steering box)..
Check for any binding in each u-joint especially the lower one !! Also especially spray the hell out of that lower joint with a quality lube like fluid film !! (not WD 40
If your a little lazy just spray the joint on the truck (again especially the lower one) You may be startled @ the difference !!
Been there done that thinking the power steering is craping out !!!!! It would bind & act like no power assist for seconds @ a time !!
PS: I use to have to spray that joint (till I replaced it) every 3-5 days to keep it happy & working freely.....Again I run daily high mileage!!
Check for any binding in each u-joint especially the lower one !! Also especially spray the hell out of that lower joint with a quality lube like fluid film !! (not WD 40
If your a little lazy just spray the joint on the truck (again especially the lower one) You may be startled @ the difference !!
Been there done that thinking the power steering is craping out !!!!! It would bind & act like no power assist for seconds @ a time !!
PS: I use to have to spray that joint (till I replaced it) every 3-5 days to keep it happy & working freely.....Again I run daily high mileage!!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
What else could it be if not the steering shaft?
I have had these exact same problems on a 2011 F150. Specifically the intermittent steering wheel lockup/bind while turning. I recently had the steering shaft/ujoint replaced and it did not resolve the problem sadly. Watching videos it seems unlikely to be the power steering and the only option I currently see is to replace electronic power steering. Does anyone have other ideas?