Very scary to be driving, try turning and its very hard, all of a sudden the steering gets very loose. Try to turn the other way and same thing happens. Steering does not go back to center on its own. Afraid it may cause an accident because steering is not safe.
I've noticed the steering starting to get stiff last week. The wheel does not recenter on its own if you make a turn and caused me to do some quick muscling the wheel a few times. According to other owners I've read about on other ford forums Ford has had issues with the universal joints rusting or seizing on the steering linkage./column. One owner was able to get his to free up using anti seizing spray which I will try temporarily tomorrow. This is dangerous for the steering to start reacting this way and there should be a recall .
After some off-roading, the steering became very stiff and required a great deal of force to operate. Can barely turn the wheel with brakes applied. Steering function improves when acceleration is applied. Has been inspected by mechanic, no noticeable damages.
I love my truck. However, to me this is a safety issue and by the looks of things is a very popular problem. I explained it to my local regular mechanic and without even looking at the vehicle, he told me it's a common problem, that it's either the shaft or joint as I found out by searching the web and reviewing complaints posted. I don't understand why nothing is being done to fix this problem maybe in the way of a recall. I purchased the truck a year ago and this should have been addressed during the safety, or in the least, mentioned to me that it's a common problem with this particular year model.
How about it Ford, you can do better than this.....
- brente,
Midland, ON, Canada
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When I drive the truck for about 5-10 minutes, any turns I make are 2-handed turns and having to turn it back to center. Backing in the driveway is crazy. I want to take a wider turn, so I won't turn the wheel too hard in either direction. I feel like something will snap if I turn the wheel all the way to 1 side. Making an appt. for an oil change at the Ford Dealer, so having them check it out. I am hoping it's nothing major, need all new tires too, not sure if this has anything to do with the wear on the tires !!
YES, I agree with those that post on complaint sites, that if there are enough complaints, the MFR. should do the right thing and fix the problems at no/low cost. After all, these trucks were/are in the $30-$35k range.
Update from Nov 13, 2014: Had oil change done at Ford Dealer today. They said to replace the steering shaft (steering column upper
intermediate shaft) asap. Total cost is $545 in NH. Pricing the part and labor time to see if this is a fair price. I find
too often I get price gouged at the dealers. Hope this may help some of you with same issues. Hubby said steering shaft-related issues should be recalled. Not going to happen on an 8 yr old truck !!
I own a 2006 f150 fx4 truck. In the last month or so the steering started to be a problem, hard to turn and will not return to center after making a left or right turn. My wife does not want to drive it any more, scares her. I have no choice, was going to buy a new power steering pump but read other people were having the same problem and it wasn't the pump but the steering shaft and joints. I looked at mine and was very surprised how rusted it was, will try to clean and lubricate it but it looks like it could break at any time.
Hope Ford is seeing all these complaints and does something about it before someone does get hurt. Looks like it was a bad part to begin with. Come on Ford, step up and do something!!!
The problem with the steering came about after I was driving around our camp, I hit a significant puddle and got a lot of mud and water up on the truck. (fun!:) After this, I parked the truck for about two weeks and did not drive it. When I did drive it, I felt a lump in the steering. Like 1/2 of the turn was smooth, then the other 1/2 was stiff. Really annoying on 90° turns. I tired lubricating the top U-joint of the steering column hoping that would help but no success. After about a month or two of this annoying steering I decided to have it looked at by the local garage. They had a similar issue from another truck from 05 or 06. The had to get this Lower steering column bar that had two U-joints, the lower U-joint was bad and was very stiff. Every time I tried to turn it, I hit that stiff point. It was replaced and has been good ever since.
Steering started to bind become very hard to turn wheel. One dealer , several independents said it was the 4 wheel drive hubs or maybe the rack & pinion. Only one reputable independent and (1) dealer new what the problem was as I was told it is fairly common on 2004-06 F-150's. Replacing the center rshaft on the steering column solved the issue. 2007's and later have a heavier duty shaft. I'm surprised no one else has brought up this problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Very scary to be driving, try turning and its very hard, all of a sudden the steering gets very loose. Try to turn the other way and same thing happens. Steering does not go back to center on its own. Afraid it may cause an accident because steering is not safe.
- Dennis P., Cairnbrook, US