Hi everyone. Not sure if this is right or not...when I turn my steering wheel fully to the left or fully to the right the wheel just stays in that position and I can turn in a complete circle without touching the wheel. Shouldn't the wheel want to go back straight if I let it go? It stays in a turned position I'm concerned that something is wrong. Also steering seems somewhat loose. Fluids are good no noise coming from steering. Any thoughts?? Thanks in advance.

 

Could be seized ball joints. Your alignment would have to be way off (clearly noticeable to the naked eye) Time to get it on a lift and check the front end. The caster is supposed to bring the wheels straight again so something is preventing that from happening, so I assume it would have nothing to do with the power steering end of things. When you drive down the road, and turn the wheel slightly to the left or right and then let go does it still keep drifting that direction? If so I would look at the ball joints 1st.

 

I just had ford do a front end inspection they said ball joints are good. The wheel returns to straight line while im driving. Sometime it will pull to the right and always seems to have a slight pull to the right during any speed. Maybe an alignment is needed first and foremost.

 

If your wheel doesn't return to somewhat straight, your caster is off then. I didn't think there was enough adjustment for it to be off to the point where it causes your problem. If the front end is ok, I would have an alignment check. Call around and see how much for just an alignment check. Some places won't charge you full price to just hook the machine up.

 

Thanks for your advice, tomorrow I'm having the hubs on the front replaced...shot bearings wouldn't do it would they?? I'm also getting a clinky clanky sound consistent with speed whenever I turn my wheels more so to the right the left bearing is really bad I can't even drive with my windows down it's so annoying and frustrating. I was just curious if the bearings would prevent the wheels from going straight.

 

I had a noise under mine and went straight for the ball joints and hubs. Ended up being the sway bar links. Never even though of that... The joints were blown

 

So what ended up being the problem. Your follow up would be greatly appreciated. Here is the situation with my vehicle. I noticed the power steering fluid was low so i decided to add. I turned the vehicle on and turned the wheel from side to side a couple of times and turned the vehicle off. I added dot 3 power steering fluid until the level was between the min and max mark. 2 days later the steering had no returnability, you could turn the wheel either direction and it would stay. You could go round and round in circles doing donuts if you choose. When driving you would have to return the wheel straight when making turns. How could this be? Well I logged on here and found out my 2006 ford f150 doesnt use dot 3 power steering fluid, rather mercon transmission fluid. I it to the dealer cause i have somewhere to be on sunday and no time to troubleshot the ptoblem. Technician said the lower steering shaft was seizing/binding. $701.39 later they replaced the lower steering shaft, flushed and replaced power steering fluid, and rotated the tires. I hope this helps out the next guy.