Steering arm problem August 29, 2005, 07:42:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57443My 2003 23.5' (24,000 miles on the odometer) is currently at the local Ford truck center; the mechanic hasn't been able to figure out what is wrong with the steering arm! I noticed a "squirrelly" front end driving feel on a recent outing, and first thought the problem was that the Safe-T-Plus frame weld had broken again. A check under the front end showed that the weld was intact, but I noticed that the steering arm was covered with grease. There are no other symptoms of a malfunction, but the mechanic and I both know that *something* is pretty wrong; he just can't pinpoint it! Any ideas from the mechanical experts here would be greatly appreciated!Joan
Re: Steering arm problem Reply #1 – August 30, 2005, 05:35:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57480QuoteMy 2003 23.5' (24,000 miles on the odometer) is currently at the local Ford truck center; the mechanic hasn't been able to figure out what is Quotewrong with the steering arm! I noticed a "squirrelly" front end driving feel on a recent outing, and first thought the problem was that the Safe-T-Plus frame weld had broken again. A check under the front end showed that the weld was intact, but I noticed that the steering arm was covered with grease. There are no other symptoms of a malfunction, Quotebut the mechanic and I both know that *something* is pretty wrong; he just can't pinpoint it!Any ideas from the mechanical experts here would be greatly appreciated!Quote Joan Hello again, Joan. Hope you are using an ASE certified mechanic. Whomever you are using, ask if the steering box grease seals show any signs of noise when turning the steering wheel (A mechanic's stethoscope will be needed to do this noise test because the noise one is looking for is a slight grinding sound of ball bearings and the engine running will drown out this noise without using a stethoscope.). Second, look for steering box grease seal leakage and if so, its cause. Third, check the steering wheel turning forces and centered 'play' are within Ford tolerances. He will have to disconnect the Pitman Arm from the Drag Link to do this latter check accurately. (Checks run with the Pitman Arm connected cannot be accurate enough to compare against the Ford Specifications.)Lastly, did you ever have your steering box adjusted? If one is adjusted 'too tightly' it is likely to fail prematurely.'Best, Don McGlothlen (Old Attorney caveat: Advice is usually worth no more than it costs. Old Mechanic caveat: Don't make no difference if it fixes the problem.)Because of the nature of the design of the Ford steering box, if it
Re: Steering arm problem Reply #2 – August 30, 2005, 05:38:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57481QuoteMy 2003 23.5' (24,000 miles on the odometer) is currently at the local Ford truck center; the mechanic hasn't been able to figure out what is Quotewrong with the steering arm! I noticed a "squirrelly" front end driving feel on a recent outing, and first thought the problem was that the Safe-T-Plus frame weld had broken again. A check under the front end showed that the weld was intact, but I noticed that the steering arm was covered with grease. There are no other symptoms of a malfunction, Quotebut the mechanic and I both know that *something* is pretty wrong; he just can't pinpoint it!Any ideas from the mechanical experts here would be greatly appreciated!Quote Joan Hello again again, Joan, My previous message was of course predicated on your mechanic carefully examining the Ball joints, Pitman Arm, Drag Link, Tie Rod, etc joints and finding no looseness. Don McG
Re: Steering arm problem Reply #3 – August 30, 2005, 05:56:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57483OK, here is the corrected answer.
Re: Steering arm problem Reply #4 – August 30, 2005, 08:36:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57486Quotefeel on a recent outing, and first thought the problem was that the Safe-T-Plus frame weld had broken again. A check under the front end showed that the weld was intact, but I noticed that the steering arm was covered with grease. There are no other symptoms of a malfunction, but the mechanic and I both know that *something* is pretty wrong; he just can't pinpoint it! Joan, my '83 Chevy is a lot different, but grease would not be coming from the steering box - that would be lubed by the power steering fluid. Likely then a ruptured grease seal has caused premature wear of one of the steering components.A standard test with engine off is to slide underneath where the linkage is visible. Have someone slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth JUST until the front wheels impart resistance. Meanwhile inspect all joints for signs of bearing movement other than rotation (e.g. lateral joint displacement or vertical movement of the whole linkage) at each link connection. In the Chevy, which has one idler arm and one pitman arm, these are the two usually needing replacement.Steve
Steering arm problem Reply #5 – August 29, 2005, 07:51:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57445Problems such as this are typically pretty straightforward to identify. I assume that he has inspected all of the tie rods/drag link/pitman arm for wear on the ball sockets. As well as the ball joints and wheel bearings. And of course the steering Gear Box. The above are usually all that is involved (99% of the time). When you say 'Squirelly', do you mean play? Do you mean bump-steer (it tries to turn when you hit a bump, especially a one-wheel bump)? Do you mean poor 'return to center' after a turn?ken wannabe in SoCal
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Steering arm problem Reply #6 – August 29, 2005, 07:52:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57446Hi Joan Was it covered in grease or was it covered in hydraulic fluid? Because if the hoses that go into the transmission heat exchanger are not secure, thats right where the fluid will leak. Happened to me. TomI noticed that the steering arm
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Steering arm problem Reply #7 – August 29, 2005, 07:59:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57447"Ken Sann" wrote: When you say 'Squirelly', do you mean play? ---- Ken, I'm used to the firm, controlled, "right-on" steering feel that the Safe-T-Plus helped to provide; the "squirelly" feel that I'm getting now is "insecure", a little loose, and jumpy. There is slightly more play in the steering wheel than there has been in the past.You can bet that I will call the mechanic and make sure that he has carefully checked all the things you listed; THANKS!Joan
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Steering arm problem Reply #8 – August 29, 2005, 08:04:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 57448"Tom Johnston" wrote:QuoteHi Joan Was it covered in grease or was it covered in hydraulic fluid? Because if the hoses that go into the transmission heat exchanger are not secure, thats right where the fluid will leak. Happened to me. Hi, Tom! I didn't smell hydraulic fluid, just "grease". I don't know how this might affect the front end "feel" (?) but I will add that to the list of things to check out! Thanks!Joan
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Topic: Steering arm problem (Read 3 times)
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