Steering wheel popping over bumps/rough terrain
06-01-2013, 11:08 AM
#1252
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Minnesota
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As the original poster of this thread, I can't tell you how frustrating this has been for me and obviously everyone else along they way. I am very excited to hear that they are putting a beefier part in. Now that it is summer in MN it should start to act up more and that will allow me to get it replaced sometime in July I'm guessing. Better be soon though, as I am 8k miles from the end of my warranty!!!! Thanks for all of the hard work everyone.
06-02-2013, 02:10 PM
#1253
Senior Member
Here is a quick overview of this issue. Perhaps this will save you from having to read thru 125 pages of posts.
Starting with the 2011 F150 they started putting electronic steering in. 2010 and older had standard type steering system. Ford calls it EPAS and it electronically assists the steering. The units are made by Nexteer (Chinese).
The original ones are faulty. There is a bumping feeling in the steering wheel while just driving straight. Can't hear it but definitely feel it. Slightly rough road or cracks make it more apparent. Feels like an old truck with worn out tie joints. Gets much worse the hotter it is outside. Tech tells me that there is a tolerance issue inside the gear and that the computer is trying to close this gap which causes the bumping.
Tech says that they wont let them go inside the unit and fix it. They have to replace the whole unit. Either the original or the next version of this unit had a part # of BL3Z 3504 EE. Some with this issue had this same replacement part put in only to have the problem return. The next version is # CL3Z 3504 BE. Not sure if there are problems with these also - maybe someone could advise on this. The unit they put in yesterday started with D. Don't have the paperwork but assuming the part number is DL3Z 3504 --. Tech says that this unit has a beefier gear box than the other units. Picked it up last night and bump is gone - feels like you would expect. My guess is that they tried using the EPAS from the Escape or other cars and it is not big enough for a truck?
Hopefully if you are having the same problem this info will help.
Starting with the 2011 F150 they started putting electronic steering in. 2010 and older had standard type steering system. Ford calls it EPAS and it electronically assists the steering. The units are made by Nexteer (Chinese).
The original ones are faulty. There is a bumping feeling in the steering wheel while just driving straight. Can't hear it but definitely feel it. Slightly rough road or cracks make it more apparent. Feels like an old truck with worn out tie joints. Gets much worse the hotter it is outside. Tech tells me that there is a tolerance issue inside the gear and that the computer is trying to close this gap which causes the bumping.
Tech says that they wont let them go inside the unit and fix it. They have to replace the whole unit. Either the original or the next version of this unit had a part # of BL3Z 3504 EE. Some with this issue had this same replacement part put in only to have the problem return. The next version is # CL3Z 3504 BE. Not sure if there are problems with these also - maybe someone could advise on this. The unit they put in yesterday started with D. Don't have the paperwork but assuming the part number is DL3Z 3504 --. Tech says that this unit has a beefier gear box than the other units. Picked it up last night and bump is gone - feels like you would expect. My guess is that they tried using the EPAS from the Escape or other cars and it is not big enough for a truck?
Hopefully if you are having the same problem this info will help.
06-03-2013, 08:42 AM
#1254
As the original poster of this thread, I can't tell you how frustrating this has been for me and obviously everyone else along they way. I am very excited to hear that they are putting a beefier part in. Now that it is summer in MN it should start to act up more and that will allow me to get it replaced sometime in July I'm guessing. Better be soon though, as I am 8k miles from the end of my warranty!!!! Thanks for all of the hard work everyone.
06-04-2013, 03:00 AM
#1255
One Clean Machine
iTrader: (5)
Its a car company and bottom line is number one prioriy, they will keep using the same parts and just replace the ones that people complain about. Unless its a safety recall and the government makes them fix it.
WAY cheaper than a redesign/shopping for a new supplier, plus those bad racks go right back to the manufacture and Ford gets reimbursed for them.
GM trucks had the steering clunk forever, one silly little slip joint in the lower steering shaft would make the truck feel like it was falling apart over bumps. There were many TSBs for lubing and replacing them but it would always come back. Finally after 6 years they came out with one that didnt start rattling after a few thousand miles lol.
WAY cheaper than a redesign/shopping for a new supplier, plus those bad racks go right back to the manufacture and Ford gets reimbursed for them.
GM trucks had the steering clunk forever, one silly little slip joint in the lower steering shaft would make the truck feel like it was falling apart over bumps. There were many TSBs for lubing and replacing them but it would always come back. Finally after 6 years they came out with one that didnt start rattling after a few thousand miles lol.
06-04-2013, 04:30 AM
#1256
my steering wheel thunks also. I am on my 2nd rack. I have the CL3Z-3504BE and I can feel it in the steering wheel. dealer cant and ford rep says he feels it slightly. rep says it is normal. I feel it everyday all the time. ford will not replace it, I got the call from Karen jones from ford yesterday. this is such bull crap. new partout is DL3Z-3504-BE. I WONT BE GETTING THAT ONE. I am no longer a ford guy! I am 55 and been all ford since my first new oe, june 19 1979. anyone want to buy a whipple 07 mustang also. pm me if interested. video on you tube, Dans car hitting the 1320. car ran 12.4 then, I am down to 11.96.
06-10-2013, 10:50 AM
#1259
Senior Member
"2011+ With EPAS - Steering wheel popping over bumps/rough terrain".
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