F250 Diesel 7.3 problem

[GMN]

We got a F250 7.3 Diesel, it only has 74,000 miles on it, and the problem seems to be in the steering. Seems whichever way you steer left, right it steers too much, overcorrects, and makes driving it alot of work, always having to turn the steering wheel to keep it straight. We checked the steering, and it isn't loose, maybe a ball joint, any other ideas, that these trucks are known for with these problems?

Gail

 

[hurleyjd]

Have the front end aligned. Sometimes this will help.

 

[cfpinz]

What year is it and is it a twin traction beam or solid front axle?

cfpinz

 

[dun]

With any luck when the safety inspection was done they also checked the ball joints. I'ld also lean towards the alignment, how are the tires wearing?

dun

 

[GMN]

With any luck when the safety inspection was done they also checked the ball joints. I'ld also lean towards the alignment, how are the tires wearing?

dun

Its a 1999, we just put new tires on a few weeks ago, so I know thats not it. Have any of you heard of a steering stabalizer? We put one on a 67 older Ford we have a long time ago, and that seemed to help alot, but we called around and whether it is called something different now, or they don't have them anymore, because no one had a clue what we meant.

GMN

 

[dun]

With any luck when the safety inspection was done they also checked the ball joints. I'ld also lean towards the alignment, how are the tires wearing?

dun

Its a 1999, we just put new tires on a few weeks ago, so I know thats not it. Have any of you heard of a steering stabalizer? We put one on a 67 older Ford we have a long time ago, and that seemed to help alot, but we called around and whether it is called something different now, or they don't have them anymore, because no one had a clue what we meant.

GMN

The way that the tires wear can tell you a hole lot about the front-end of a vehicle. Alighmnet, work parts, crooked rims, all sorts of stuff. That's why I asked how the tires were wearing. Did it start when you put the new tires on it?

dun

 

[GMN]

With any luck when the safety inspection was done they also checked the ball joints. I'ld also lean towards the alignment, how are the tires wearing?

dun

Its a 1999, we just put new tires on a few weeks ago, so I know thats not it. Have any of you heard of a steering stabalizer? We put one on a 67 older Ford we have a long time ago, and that seemed to help alot, but we called around and whether it is called something different now, or they don't have them anymore, because no one had a clue what we meant.

GMN

The way that the tires wear can tell you a hole lot about the front-end of a vehicle. Alighmnet, work parts, crooked rims, all sorts of stuff. That's why I asked how the tires were wearing. Did it start when you put the new tires on it?

dun

No it was doing it before, thats what we thought was causing it, worn tires, but that wasn't it. They aligned the tires when they put them on, so it has to be something else. Thanks for the response.

Gail

 

[dun]

They aligned the tires when they put them on, so it has to be something else. Thanks for the response.

Gail

Aligned the front end or balanced the tires. Balancing the tires won;t do diddly for a front end that's out of wack. Doesn;t cost much to have the front end alignment checked, may be a good investment to eliminate the inexpensive.

dun

 

[GMN]

What year is it and is it a twin traction beam or solid front axle?

cfpinz

Solid front axle.

Gail

 

[Aaron]

Bearings?

 

[r and s peckman]

Have someone check the power steering box. There are seals and such that make a difference.

 

[cfpinz]

Have someone check the power steering box. There are seals and such that make a difference.

There is also an adjustment screw on the ps box that takes up the slack in the gears. If it's not the box or slop in the linkage, I'd have it aligned first. I've got one now with a case of the wonders but haven't taken the time to look at it.

cfpinz

 

[gertman]

We got a F250 7.3 Diesel, it only has 74,000 miles on it, and the problem seems to be in the steering. Seems whichever way you steer left, right it steers too much, overcorrects, and makes driving it alot of work, always having to turn the steering wheel to keep it straight. We checked the steering, and it isn't loose, maybe a ball joint, any other ideas, that these trucks are known for with these problems?

Gail

My 97 Ford had similar problems and I had to replace the steering column bearings.

 

[GMN]

We called ther Ford dealer, they think it could be the ball joints, seizing up. Anybody know what kind of job that is to do?

Gail

 

[oscar13]

We called ther Ford dealer, they think it could be the ball joints, seizing up. Anybody know what kind of job that is to do?

Gail

Changing the ball joints is not that hard to do but I really do not think that is your problem...My dad has a 00 powerstroke..we are having similiar problems..took it into the ford dealer and they fixed 95 % of it just by adjusting steering box ect. You can check the ball joints by simply lifting up the front end and see if you can shake the tire..if so get new ball joints...i have replaced mine numerous times...do not get the factory "mog" ball joints..they will go out again..spend a little more and get a ball joint with a warranty.

 

[cfpinz]

..spend a little more and get a ball joint with a warranty.

...and a grease fitting! And grease them! 95% of mechanical failures are from lack of lubrication.

cfpinz

 

[Earl Thigpen]

We called ther Ford dealer, they think it could be the ball joints, seizing up. Anybody know what kind of job that is to do?

Gail

Changing the ball joints is not that hard to do but I really do not think that is your problem...My dad has a 00 powerstroke..we are having similiar problems..took it into the ford dealer and they fixed 95 % of it just by adjusting steering box ect. You can check the ball joints by simply lifting up the front end and see if you can shake the tire..if so get new ball joints...i have replaced mine numerous times...do not get the factory "mog" ball joints..they will go out again..spend a little more and get a ball joint with a warranty.

Watch it here!!! The act of changing the ball joint is NOT all that difficult but you better dam well watch the spring! The ball joint hold the whole suspenssion together and if you start loosening the nut on the ball joint and that spring gets away from you it could be fatal!

If you insist on doing this job yourself, rent the proper tools and get advise on how to use them.

 

[dun]

...and a grease fitting! And grease them! 95% of mechanical failures are from lack of lubrication.

cfpinz

Anymore that seems to be the hard part, finding anything that already has a zirk so you don;t have to retrofit it.
Of course with the "permanently (life time) lubed" fittings who needs a grease gun?

dun

 

[certherfbeef]

We got a F250 7.3 Diesel, it only has 74,000 miles on it, and the problem seems to be in the steering. Seems whichever way you steer left, right it steers too much, overcorrects, and makes driving it alot of work, always having to turn the steering wheel to keep it straight. We checked the steering, and it isn't loose, maybe a ball joint, any other ideas, that these trucks are known for with these problems?

Gail

My 97 Ford had similar problems and I had to replace the steering column bearings.

THAT is a job. My advise on that...replace the steering column. I replaced the bearings and not 3 months later they were out again. Not worth the hassle. The whole column is easier to replace than the bearings.

My vote would be the steering box. Solved that same problem in mine.

 

[rmcva]

We got a F250 7.3 Diesel, it only has 74,000 miles on it, and the problem seems to be in the steering. Seems whichever way you steer left, right it steers too much, overcorrects, and makes driving it alot of work, always having to turn the steering wheel to keep it straight. We checked the steering, and it isn't loose, maybe a ball joint, any other ideas, that these trucks are known for with these problems?

Gail

My son has an 87 with 6.9 and is twin I beam. (I saw where you said your's was a straight axle). I helped him add a leaf spring in the front(both sides) and longer drop down camber brackets. That threw the camber off and the steering did what you're describing. Once you started to turn either way it would continue to pull the steering in that direction until it hit the stops, unless you held the steering wheel with both hands to control it. Our next move to correct this was to add the star bushing holding the ball joints to get the right degree and then go back to the caber adj. to correct the hard steering.