Steering wheel popping over bumps/rough terrain
06-21-2011, 02:03 PM
#41
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Like I said, going back in tomorrow to replace what they called the "lower steering shaft". See how it goes.
What I forgot to say in previous post was, they told me it is a semi common problem on older Fords. Like SK said, they told me the grease gets old or is lost and it causes the problem. They have not seen it on trucks as new as mine yet (3100 miles).
I hope to God it doesn't take forever to fix if its not the shaft they ordered because it drives me NUTS on hot days. Was just under 90 yesterday and it drove me bananas. To the point that, I almost thought I could start hearing it knock on something.
I am hoping its just a bad part and the new one will be ok. I would think we would see more complaints on here with ours if it was something on all the trucks.
We'll see. Crossing fingers for tomorrow.
What I forgot to say in previous post was, they told me it is a semi common problem on older Fords. Like SK said, they told me the grease gets old or is lost and it causes the problem. They have not seen it on trucks as new as mine yet (3100 miles).
I hope to God it doesn't take forever to fix if its not the shaft they ordered because it drives me NUTS on hot days. Was just under 90 yesterday and it drove me bananas. To the point that, I almost thought I could start hearing it knock on something.
I am hoping its just a bad part and the new one will be ok. I would think we would see more complaints on here with ours if it was something on all the trucks.
We'll see. Crossing fingers for tomorrow.
06-22-2011, 06:45 PM
#42
Sorry, meant to get on yesterday just got too busy.
In short, Lower Steering Shaft is a no go. Still getting the pop. Mechanic and the Head mechanic took a ride with me. Head guy driving. He felt the pop. They are pretty much CLUELESS. This steering being all new, they are guessing.
So, they talked to Ford Tech and Ford wants them to tear it apart and check the gear that moves the rack. I am dropping it off Tuesday for the whole day. Who knows if I get it back then or not. If not, they damn well better be giving me a loaner.
And it is most definately temp related. Hot past few days, was popping like mad. Cooler today, mid 70's, and I hardly felt it. Something is getting hot.
Will try to get back here Tuesday night or Wed to let you all know what happened.
In short, Lower Steering Shaft is a no go. Still getting the pop. Mechanic and the Head mechanic took a ride with me. Head guy driving. He felt the pop. They are pretty much CLUELESS. This steering being all new, they are guessing.
So, they talked to Ford Tech and Ford wants them to tear it apart and check the gear that moves the rack. I am dropping it off Tuesday for the whole day. Who knows if I get it back then or not. If not, they damn well better be giving me a loaner.
And it is most definately temp related. Hot past few days, was popping like mad. Cooler today, mid 70's, and I hardly felt it. Something is getting hot.
Will try to get back here Tuesday night or Wed to let you all know what happened.
06-22-2011, 08:33 PM
#43
I have been noticing that slight popping on my truck as well. It drives me nuts and after reading the other posts it does seem to only happen on hot days like 90+. I hope we can find a solution to this.
06-22-2011, 09:05 PM
#44
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Sorry, meant to get on yesterday just got too busy.
In short, Lower Steering Shaft is a no go. Still getting the pop. Mechanic and the Head mechanic took a ride with me. Head guy driving. He felt the pop. They are pretty much CLUELESS. This steering being all new, they are guessing.
So, they talked to Ford Tech and Ford wants them to tear it apart and check the gear that moves the rack. I am dropping it off Tuesday for the whole day. Who knows if I get it back then or not. If not, they damn well better be giving me a loaner.
And it is most definately temp related. Hot past few days, was popping like mad. Cooler today, mid 70's, and I hardly felt it. Something is getting hot.
Will try to get back here Tuesday night or Wed to let you all know what happened.
In short, Lower Steering Shaft is a no go. Still getting the pop. Mechanic and the Head mechanic took a ride with me. Head guy driving. He felt the pop. They are pretty much CLUELESS. This steering being all new, they are guessing.
So, they talked to Ford Tech and Ford wants them to tear it apart and check the gear that moves the rack. I am dropping it off Tuesday for the whole day. Who knows if I get it back then or not. If not, they damn well better be giving me a loaner.
And it is most definately temp related. Hot past few days, was popping like mad. Cooler today, mid 70's, and I hardly felt it. Something is getting hot.
Will try to get back here Tuesday night or Wed to let you all know what happened.
Sounds too familiar. I had my lower steering shaft replaced, then the upper one (that goes through the fire wall), and then the steering stabilizer links. They are also stumped. Ask your Ford dealer if they have heard anything about Ford changing the part number on replacement steering units (rack assembly). I was told they upgraded it (new part number is listed - which usually means an upgrade). However, here is the kicker - none are available. Don't know why - they may know something we don't know - see what your local dealer can find out.
06-22-2011, 10:08 PM
#45
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I have noticed the same thing on my 2011 Platinum. Mine has a 6.2L so it doesn't have electric steering. It seems to be worse when I'm pulling the camper. I plan on waiting until it get's worse before I take it in. Hopefully they will figure it out before then and release a TSB so the Techs know what the fix is.
06-28-2011, 06:46 PM
#48
Wasted day at dealer. The shop Foreman they wanted to work on the truck was out sick. They could have told me before I drove 45 minutes to drop it off. They didn't tell me until 2pm.
The mechanic that was working on it before did pull the steering gear. This is what Ford calls the whole shooting match. Rack and new electric power steering. He said it all looked good. No slop in it.
So, going back Wed next week to hopefully have shop Foreman work on it.
HOWEVER, the popping was really bad this evening. Hot and humid here, using AC. Finally pissed enough to climb up into the engine bay with my wife holding the steering wheel. She felt it before so she knows what it feels like. I grabbed the part of the steering shaft that goes through the firewall and shook it. Low and behold, my wife felt the quick pops.
I also noticed to day, with everything off in the cab while driving, I can hear the shaft knock when the steering wheel pops. If I grab the same shaft I said before, with the engine off, I can hear a knock right at the firewall. It looks like there is a bushing there.
Here is the biggy though. We all keep saying it seems temp related. Well, when I shook the shaft earlier before driving around, the shaft was cold (obviously), when I had my wife hold the steering wheel and feel the pop, the shaft was so HOT I couldn't keep my hand on it. I had to get gloves and it was acting up terribly just before doing this.
I am convinced, its something with the upper shaft or that bushing on the firewall. It was HOT I mean really hot.
XTRER ( or anybody with this issue), get up in the bay, I had to stand on the frame between bumper and radiator. Grab the upper part of the shaft at the knuckle ( u joint ). Push and pull it up, see if you can hear the slight knock. Or try to get somebody to do it while you hold the wheel.
I plan on running over to my buddies tomm evening, so I can feel the steering wheel and can be sure.
The mechanic that was working on it before did pull the steering gear. This is what Ford calls the whole shooting match. Rack and new electric power steering. He said it all looked good. No slop in it.
So, going back Wed next week to hopefully have shop Foreman work on it.
HOWEVER, the popping was really bad this evening. Hot and humid here, using AC. Finally pissed enough to climb up into the engine bay with my wife holding the steering wheel. She felt it before so she knows what it feels like. I grabbed the part of the steering shaft that goes through the firewall and shook it. Low and behold, my wife felt the quick pops.
I also noticed to day, with everything off in the cab while driving, I can hear the shaft knock when the steering wheel pops. If I grab the same shaft I said before, with the engine off, I can hear a knock right at the firewall. It looks like there is a bushing there.
Here is the biggy though. We all keep saying it seems temp related. Well, when I shook the shaft earlier before driving around, the shaft was cold (obviously), when I had my wife hold the steering wheel and feel the pop, the shaft was so HOT I couldn't keep my hand on it. I had to get gloves and it was acting up terribly just before doing this.
I am convinced, its something with the upper shaft or that bushing on the firewall. It was HOT I mean really hot.
XTRER ( or anybody with this issue), get up in the bay, I had to stand on the frame between bumper and radiator. Grab the upper part of the shaft at the knuckle ( u joint ). Push and pull it up, see if you can hear the slight knock. Or try to get somebody to do it while you hold the wheel.
I plan on running over to my buddies tomm evening, so I can feel the steering wheel and can be sure.
Last edited by dw66; 06-28-2011 at 06:51 PM.
06-28-2011, 06:59 PM
#49
Hmm, just checked out a pick of the steering column. 7 is only a dust shield. I am wondering now though, maybe its something to do with where the intermediate shaft (5 ) and upper shaft ( 4 ) connect.
06-28-2011, 10:57 PM
#50
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dw66 - thanks for the information. Called local Ford dealer yesterday. Still don't have an answer for me - and they feel it. I do know - For some reason - it seems Ford pulled all Steering assemblies from stock. This is unbelievable - do they know something????????? I litterally hate driving this truck with the popping feeling and sound. I had my wife drive the truck - as she did - she pushed the seat all the way back - I reached under the dash to see if I can feel the popping in the shaft - felt nothing. Can't explain it and neither can Ford.
Maybe it is time to call someone - whoever issues recalls - i don't know how this works. This is steering - is Ford waiting for a Fatal accident - if something is loose - you would think it is important - especially with the steering. Or maybe some media attention with the wonderful EAPS would get things moving. What do you think?
By the way - have you noticed it gets worse with hiway driving? - It's actually scary.
Maybe it is time to call someone - whoever issues recalls - i don't know how this works. This is steering - is Ford waiting for a Fatal accident - if something is loose - you would think it is important - especially with the steering. Or maybe some media attention with the wonderful EAPS would get things moving. What do you think?
By the way - have you noticed it gets worse with hiway driving? - It's actually scary.