Hi all. 1997 F-150 Lariat with the 5.4 Triton. I have a problem that I've searched for answers for online to no avail.

When I start my truck, and have to go in reverse for any period of time, when I begin going straight again, the following problem happens...

My steering wheel has A LOT of play to the right. What I mean is, I have the steering wheel in the "straight" position I will go straight, however, I can turn the wheel 90 degrees to the right and continue going straight. To go right as normal, I need to turn the steering wheel 90 degrees PLUS additional degrees to actually go right. To return to straight the wheel will correct itself if moving and is VERY loose, and then I can turn left with the normal amount of turn in the steering wheel and the normal resistance from the turn.

I've been told a few different things.

One is that it is one of the "power steering sensors" however, I'm told that it is impossible to know which sensor is failing until it has completely failed. [Which seems ridiculous. Would it be possible to pull these sensors and test them with a multimeter to determine which one is going bad?]

I should note; I have had the power steering pump replaced, and this did not resolve the issue.

Also, this problem will correct itself over time. If I can manage to drive 25-30 minutes without dying in the process the play in the steering wheel will begin to lessen, and, eventually, the steering will be back to "normal", without any play at all.

This is driving me up a wall! [And if I don't get it fixed soon, it's going to drive me INTO a wall!]

Your help is greatly appreciated, and if this issue already exists and I didn't find it in my search, I'm VERY sorry.

 

have you checked all your steering/suspension components under the truck?

 

No sensor is going to do anything like that. You got something broke, need to take a good look and I would start with your steering box. I wouldnt drive my truck 1 block if it ever did anything like that!!!

 

I should note that I'm not doing 70 down the highway trying to resolve this issue; it's been a lot of back and forths down the street in front of my house.

I'm not opposed to the idea of something being broke, but what allows it to correct itself over time? It seems like if it were broke, it would stay broke. [Whereas, if it were a pump/electrical problem, that would explain the intermittence.]

But again, I'm looking for advice, so I'm going to check the things already mentioned. [I'm just anticipating that isn't solution.]

Thanks for the help thus far!

 

There is no way it could be a pump/electrical problem. The pump just helps you turn the wheel, and electrical has nothing to do with the steering of the truck. That is why you can still steer the truck with the key off, have you tried that?? Its going to be something mechancal IE steering box, linkage.

Now how it seem to fix itself is kinda funny.

 

Update; so I've been tooling with this for the day [When I'm not on the deer stand.] and took off the skid plate. Turning the key on, but not starting the vehicle, I can see that the input/output ratio of the steering box isn't comparable, which, of course I already knew, but it helps being able to visualize it. I'm just going to buy a used one, and if that is the fix, I'll buy one with a warranty somewhere.

Does anyone have suggestions for a reputable part supplier for them online, to replace the one I will get from the salvage yard?

 

Resolution : This problem is now fixed. I purchased a new steering box which immediately fixed the problem. I backed my truck all over my feed-lot making turns as tight as I could, and could never get the same steering problem with my new steering box. Still a mystery to me though is this : letting the vehicle warm up for 20 minutes fixed this problem, until I backed up again. Oh well, now that this is fixed, I'll be posting much more often as I turn this into my weekend toy.