I've had some play in my steering a while back ago and replaced the intermediate arm, but I still have what is considered a dead zone. The previous intermediate had obvious uni-joint bearing play along with the dead zone. With the new intermediate arm, I'm estimating about 10 -20% dead zone in the steering wheel. Is this typical or what is the typical dead zone? Would anyone have a solid answer as to why a dead zone in the steering wheel to be necessary? I could make assumptions (that being towing safety), but I'd like solid answers, not assumptions.

There is some discussion on the ford150 forms (https://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57828) referring to the steering box. Is this accurate? I rebuilt the entire front end suspension so there are no mechanical issues there. I've also looked at the possibility of it being a steering column bearing, but there are no creaks or grinds or anything that would suspect someone of a bad bearing. The steering is great. There is an active response with the steering wheel to wheel to the ground, but there is a 'dead zone' travel in the steering wheel before the wheels respond. The dead zone is amplified the faster the vehicle moves, so it's quite concerning since it's almost like driving a boat on the pavement. I'm used to driving European vehicles and the steering has zero dead zones, turn the steering wheel a fraction of an mm and the wheels respond.





Protractor NTS

 

What year is your truck? I think you might be in the wrong forum, I don't believe there's an arm on an 04-08, the column hooks to an intermediate shaft with u joints and that hooks onto the rack and pinion I believe.

And no, there shouldn't be a dead zone in the steering. I'd have someone run the wheel for you in the cab while you lay under and look at all the components and see where your slop is. I'm guessing something is loose or worn out. I know the u joints on the intermediate shaft can lock up and make for a stiff steering wheel, but I'm not sure if that's what you're saying you already replaced?

 

01/2004, one of the first production models of the new body style, a rare find. Intermediate shaft/arm the same. The entire front suspension components were replaced so there is nothing loose. I suspect it's the steering box and needs adjusting.

 

Have you checked both bolts for tightness? If one is loose it will not snug the metal from the shaft to either end and any gap will create a dead zone in the centre like you are describing.

 

That previous thread you linked was for a different generation of truck. The 83-96 has a box, the 04-08 has a rack and pinion.
now, I think there is a preload adjustment on a rack and pinion just like on a steering box, but typically that doesn't need to be adjusted.

I would do as the above comment suggested and check that the new shaft is tight on both ends. It may help to have someone else rock the steeringwsteering while you watch for slop.
You may have to take out the clamp bolts and make sure they are not too bottoming out. I found another post where the guy had put in a new shaft like you did and reused the old bolts, and even though the bolt was tight if you tried to put a wrench on it, it wasn't clamping the connection tight because the shank was too long and it was shanking out before it fully tightened the clamp.
I can totally see something like that happening to me, so that's what I'd check. You may just need a new bolt with a fully threaded shank to fully tighten the clamp down.

 

The problem isn't the intermediate or anything else someone 'suggested', people need to learn to read. As stated the entire front end was replaced and torqued to spec. I do not do sloppy work like most of you probably do. Do yourself a favor and read before replying to someone's post... you'll save yourself time and others! Aside from that the rack and pinion gearing was loose, tightened the nut behind the seal, and drives like new.

 

Do us a favor and maybe don't ask your questions then. You ask for ideas then insult us? You kept asking about a steering arm and a steerimg box, neither of which you will find on an 04 f150 so who's the one with comprehension problems?

 

Really... you know what type of work we do? You're the one who doesn't even know the proper names of the components in the 2004-2008 F150s.

Don't expect any help from others with that attitude. Do some homework so you can ask a specific question about whatever parts you're talking about.

 

I think everybody gave you reasonable suggestions . We try to not get personal here , if you don't go with the advice they understand . You are the one on scene ,your post was long and open to interpretation . We try not to step on anyone here. We are all at different levels here . Sometimes we jump in to get a reply going -no dead air . We would look at your final fix and learn to help the next guy.Everybody here is after a good fix ,steering can be a very dangerous failure. Steering racks are complicated ,sometimes the seized hydraulic fittings are big problems . The universal shaft link has been a common failure. Most guys are going to replace the rack if the problems in there ,they wouldn't attempt to rebuild it . The last one we did on a mustang came in defective ,a rebuilt one- so new isn't all perfect . But we didn't yell or cuss the guy out and he sent us a new one and told us to keep the other . It pays to be nice .

 

Perhaps you ought to learn to read. I know the terminology just fine, it's just that you lack the comprehension skills like most uneducated neanderthals. Just do yourself a favor and read and comprehend what you read before posting cobwebs for brains.