Steering wheel popping over bumps/rough terrain
07-16-2013, 05:58 PM
#1381
Well, I am overly bummed to say that after 6 days of driving, with the "D series" rack installed last Wednesday, the knock has returned. I am not hearing any sounds yet, but I can feel the knocking sensation creeping back into the wheel when going straight over rough terrain. The only thing that has changed, and I just sensed it would happen, was it was super hot today here in Ohio. It got up to 95 with high humidity and when I got on my road I felt it. I wanted to forget I felt it and it started getting worse and worse. I do not know what to do at this point. My dealer will laugh me out the door if I tell them I want a different rack, as I have the newest one. What could possibly be different for those whose are resolved, and those of us who aren't.
Is it the way its being installed? The only other thing I can think is the steering shaft itself? I was able to wiggle it when I got home and it felt like there was play in those miniature rubber u joints in the shaft. I did NOT get a new steering shaft, and I see others that have. Could this be the difference? I am going to try and get my dealer to replace the steering shaft like they did Combat Vets who is still having success with his rack, but I just don't know if that will do it.
Should we take a poll to see who has had there issue resolved and whether or not just the EPAS unit was replaced, or both the unit and shaft were done. I know others have tried just the shaft and that didn't work either. I feel beaten on this one. Just pure battered.
Is it the way its being installed? The only other thing I can think is the steering shaft itself? I was able to wiggle it when I got home and it felt like there was play in those miniature rubber u joints in the shaft. I did NOT get a new steering shaft, and I see others that have. Could this be the difference? I am going to try and get my dealer to replace the steering shaft like they did Combat Vets who is still having success with his rack, but I just don't know if that will do it.
Should we take a poll to see who has had there issue resolved and whether or not just the EPAS unit was replaced, or both the unit and shaft were done. I know others have tried just the shaft and that didn't work either. I feel beaten on this one. Just pure battered.
If anyone is curious about the size of the two massive bolts that attach the EPAS to the frame - here's a photo of the bolts. I am also going to include a photo of the lower steering shaft. This shaft attaches to the short shaft that comes out of the EPAS unit. You can see that short shaft in the photo above. That short shaft is the one that I could rattle in my video.
07-16-2013, 06:11 PM
#1382
Senior Member
Well, I am overly bummed to say that after 6 days of driving, with the "D series" rack installed last Wednesday, the knock has returned. I am not hearing any sounds yet, but I can feel the knocking sensation creeping back into the wheel when going straight over rough terrain. The only thing that has changed, and I just sensed it would happen, was it was super hot today here in Ohio. It got up to 95 with high humidity and when I got on my road I felt it. I wanted to forget I felt it and it started getting worse and worse. I do not know what to do at this point. My dealer will laugh me out the door if I tell them I want a different rack, as I have the newest one. What could possibly be different for those whose are resolved, and those of us who aren't.
Is it the way its being installed? The only other thing I can think is the steering shaft itself? I was able to wiggle it when I got home and it felt like there was play in those miniature rubber u joints in the shaft. I did NOT get a new steering shaft, and I see others that have. Could this be the difference? I am going to try and get my dealer to replace the steering shaft like they did Combat Vets who is still having success with his rack, but I just don't know if that will do it.
Should we take a poll to see who has had there issue resolved and whether or not just the EPAS unit was replaced, or both the unit and shaft were done. I know others have tried just the shaft and that didn't work either. I feel beaten on this one. Just pure battered.
Is it the way its being installed? The only other thing I can think is the steering shaft itself? I was able to wiggle it when I got home and it felt like there was play in those miniature rubber u joints in the shaft. I did NOT get a new steering shaft, and I see others that have. Could this be the difference? I am going to try and get my dealer to replace the steering shaft like they did Combat Vets who is still having success with his rack, but I just don't know if that will do it.
Should we take a poll to see who has had there issue resolved and whether or not just the EPAS unit was replaced, or both the unit and shaft were done. I know others have tried just the shaft and that didn't work either. I feel beaten on this one. Just pure battered.
I had the steering shaft and rack replaced, it's been in the high 90's and muggy as heck here for days and so far so good almost 800 miles now. I even expect it to start doing it again as I'm driving around, but I think that's because it's still in my head.
I don't think I've heard of anyone else having issues since getting the "D" rack, If you feel it's still not right bring it back....
07-16-2013, 07:43 PM
#1383
It was so hard to get them to do this repair, I figure they will tell me to kick rocks. I ended up getting a video of the knocking noise and that's what finally got them to replace the epas unit, but I did not get a new shaft. This go around the knocking is not near as bad so they surely wont feel it like I do, and there is no sound associated with it this time.
07-16-2013, 08:22 PM
#1384
Senior Member
Replace the lower shaft
It was so hard to get them to do this repair, I figure they will tell me to kick rocks. I ended up getting a video of the knocking noise and that's what finally got them to replace the epas unit, but I did not get a new shaft. This go around the knocking is not near as bad so they surely wont feel it like I do, and there is no sound associated with it this time.
07-16-2013, 10:22 PM
#1385
I didn't have the steering shaft replaced, but did get the D series rack and it lasted about as long as yours. Now I can wiggle the steering shaft in place and it makes the knocking noise. I had my wife operate the steering wheel with the truck off, just real quick back and forth movement of the wheel and you could hear the knocking very clear. Supposed to be over 100 here tomorrow, so sounds like a good day to take it back in.
07-17-2013, 01:41 AM
#1386
I got the D rack and I didn't get out of the dealers lot and I could feel my thunk. it does get worse when hotter. I am at my end now also. my life should not be bothered with this. this is no joy in buying a new ford. I bought a new 2011 ford f150 fx4 and traded it in on this truck cause it had a tranny shudder I didn't want to deal with. and now this truck!!!! I AM DONE FORD. I cant wear your caps proudly! cant wear your ford racing shirts! cant trade my whipple stang on 2013 boss. cant stand looking at your blue oval!!!! I will never forget how you treated your fan lovers!!!
07-17-2013, 07:01 AM
#1387
Im taking mine in this week, its the hottest its been all year and the thumping/vibration is the worst its been all summer so hopefully my dealer can feel it. quick question do you have to schedule at appointment at your dealer to bring in your truck to get looked at or can you just show up, first time having my truck at the dealer. Hope it all goes smooth and i can get the rack and shaft replaced.
07-17-2013, 02:30 PM
#1388
Went for a ride with the service manager this morning. He still says he can't feel it. I reach over and grab the steering wheel and can feel the popping clear as day. He tells me they can't do anything about it until he can replicate it, but did offer to check the tightness on some bolt in the steering shaft assembly, which I'm sure won't do anything. Starting to think that taking the hit to the bank account and trading it in on a 2013 may be my only solution at this point. The popping annoys me so bad that I'm driving myself crazy driving this thing around knowing there's something wrong with it.
07-17-2013, 02:46 PM
#1389
Senior Member
Went for a ride with the service manager this morning. He still says he can't feel it. I reach over and grab the steering wheel and can feel the popping clear as day. He tells me they can't do anything about it until he can replicate it, but did offer to check the tightness on some bolt in the steering shaft assembly, which I'm sure won't do anything. Starting to think that taking the hit to the bank account and trading it in on a 2013 may be my only solution at this point. The popping annoys me so bad that I'm driving myself crazy driving this thing around knowing there's something wrong with it.
07-17-2013, 04:39 PM
#1390
94 out today and I could actually hear it knocking around...I have the slight shudder issue coming to stops sometimes and I can live with that....This friggin loose feeling knocking around over all bumps is bull**** on a brand new truck...I like my truck but I'll swap it out for a ram! Has anyone tried tightening everything up? Is certain that it's steering rack...or is it getting feedback from something else loose up front???? The fact it does it hot could be heating up some grease points with loose tolerences? WTF is it?... This is the kinda loose clunky **** you would expect from an old pos vehicle.