OK guys I need help, a couple months ago I installed an AS 2" spacer, and I did have the truck aligned the next day. Anyway a couple weeks later I started to notice steering was starting to get tight sometimes while turning. Did a few searches and came up with nothing. I friend said I should get the Power steering flushed so I did, it was better for a day or 2 but then came back a little worse. I knew it was a long shot but the belt was looking real glazed so sunday I replaced it, Monday the truck drove great, figured I had found the problem, but today its back worse than ever. the wheel gets real tight and you have to force, feels like there's not power steering at all. Its getting to a little dangerous because the truck doesn't always turn as far as you expect it to.

Any ideas? Could it be bump steer? I'm about to pull the spacers back out, (which by the way did raise it alot more than the advertised 2") but sometimes its fine so I dont think thats the problem.

BTW its an 04 Larait with 57000 miles and has been well maintained

I'm about to bail on this truck, someone please keep me from dumping it.

 

I think its a coincidence that this happened after your A/S install, lots of members have an A/S and have no problems. You can try taking it out and see it goes away, if it doesn't, it sounds like you may need a new rack.

 

I dont think its the spacer either, found something on a another site that the u joint on the shaft goes bad. Guess is a kind of common on 04's They say to spray the crap out of it and it will get better or to change the steering shaft.

If I have to change the shaft it will be the final straw for this truck, this one wasn't Fords best effort. I see a Super Duty in my future. LOL

Still open to ideas, if anyone has anything.... I'll update tomorrow after lubing the joint