I have a 06 XLT SuperCab 5.4 auto 41K miles. When I'm stopped or going slow and try to turn the steering wheel it gets hard, then easy, then hard, then easy to turn. When I'm on the highway it is smooth (I suspect I'm not turning it as far). No leaks, no noises, no apparent damage when viewed on the rack. When you move a tire when the truck is on the rack you can also feel the hard, easy, hard. After reading on the forum I suspect it might be one of the joints in the steering rod, it symptoms seem to sych with each turn of the "u-joint" on the steering rod. I plan on pulling that first and checking it and if it's not that I guess the steering rack would be next? How do you pull the steering rod? Any suggestions or hints before I dive into this? Am I headed in the right direction? Thanks for any help.

 

I'm assuming you have check your fluid level. Have you check the reservoir for contamination...discolor of fluid? Could be some one has mixed and put motor oil in with heavier weight oil.

 

fluid level was fine and no signs of contamination

 

well one sign of your tierods going bad would be if they kinda have a cracking sound when you turn the wheel. anything like that happening?

 

No unusual noises at all.

 

yes more then likely the steering rod u joints are frozen.. just got done with my 04 150 with same sysmtoms... and the steering shaft was shot... I have 60 k on my truck... going to tell ford to cover part.. bs that this part should fail...
part was 200 and change

walt

 

Hey, I am having the same problem with my 2006 Lariat. Were you able to fix this and if so what did you do? Any answer would be appreciated. Thx.

 

the probelm on my truck ended up being front u joints on steering shaft.. the little stubby bolt on one that comes through fire wall... one joint was tight as tight gets.. not rebuildable... have to replace...

My mistake was bringing it to dealer... 600 bucks plus was the total for part and labor... I protested as i never heard of a steerin joint failing.. but lost..

two bolts to take it off and replace.. I would never have looked at it.. i was thing power steering rack was bad...

walt

 

had the same prob last summer with my 04 FX4 at about 90k......steering rod ujoints were stiff.....poured 10w30 oil on them. not too much while my buddy turned the steering wheel.........been great ever since

 

This post saved me over $600 in repairs. I had my brother come over and move the steering wheel side to side on my 04 STX as I purred some oil on the knuckle "U" joints and puff, good as new. Prior to putting the oil on the knuckle joints it was near impossible to turn the steering wheel in either direction.