This could be an alignment issue. Caster IIRC.

 

[QUOTE][Quote:
Originally Posted by 4x4toy
Okay,
I am new to this forum. I have just bought a new 2012 eco-boost super crew platinum F-150 <1900 milies. I noticed that the steering sticks (not all the time) to the left. Basically the steering wheel doesn't want to center itself if I let go of the wheel momentarily.

Does anyone one here on this forum have any technical background on this issue. I plan on making an appointment in the next week with a Ford dealer.

Thanks in advance!
This could be an alignment issue. Caster IIRC.
/QUOTE]

Hmmm... I haven't hit anything, it drives straight, tire pressure is good, and no vibrations.

 

Well thanks for taking a look.. I knew no tsb has been issued. The whole problem seems a little strange. Currently, I have a case number and have spoken with an executive rep for Ford. She indicated that engineers had been consulted and suggested that it might be common characteristic of EPAS. If this is a common characteristic why would a new truck not exhibit same popping? And if it is common why is no one experiencing this issue on this site? There are a couple 100 people discussing the same symptoms on the other forum site.

 

Will do.. Just wondering why the rack replacement stopped it for about 2000 miles.

 

I just picked up a 2012 FX4 Ecoboost. Steering is fantastic compared to my previous 2009. No noises, no issues yet. I'll keep it on my 'watch list' just in case, but not losing sleep over it.

 

New trucks are tight. As they break in they loosen up a bit. When I was a kid I drove a car with a manual transmission. When it was new, I had to use the clutch. When it had several thousand miles on it, I could simply rev it up let off the gas and change gears without depressing the clutch. The reason was as the tranny aged it loosened up a bit and allowed some slop to enter into the issue. If this was in fact an issue with the EPAS, then it should be happening on all trucks with this steering, it isn't. It sounds like there is another cause than just having EPAS.

 

Maybe its just a EPAS design flaw in certain dates of production and/or origin...?

 

It could be, but I think more probably just a batch or two of bad parts. If it were a design flaw applicable to certain dates, then all of the trucks manufactured during that time would show the issue.

 

There's no TSB on the issue, so must not be a general or widespread problem.

 

I don't think it is just a batch or two of bad parts. I purchased mine, made in Dearborn, in March, 2011 and now there are people with problems on 2012's. Mine is not sticking yet, but it has the popping, looseness noted on two sites here. Also, I have posted on another website and had a response on a 2012 with the same problem. If people would report this to NHTSA, we would more likely get a recall.

 

There's only three things that will cause a issue, a design flaw, owner use, bad parts. If it is a design flaw, then the issue should be systemic and everyone, or nearly everyone would have the problem. If it caused by owner use, then operators driving under similar situations should have the same issue. If it is a design flaw that only presents itself when certain situations exist then you'd expect a large number of people in a region, or who use their trucks in a similar manner, to have the issue. Either way you'd expect a large number of people to show the issue. If it is bad parts then you'd expect sporadic owners to have the issue. That seems to be what we are seeing.

I have not seen anybody, who is having this issue, report they are using their trucks in a rough manner. So if it were a design flaw a lot more people should be having the issue. The OP said he thinks it might be a temperature thing. I live a few miles south of him and can say there are a lot of F-150's down here. If it were a heat thing then most of these trucks should be in the shop or at least having the issue. My truck and your truck were most likely on the line together. If not, mine was on it a few days behind yours. Again, I am not seeing the issue in my truck. It's probably parts supplied by a certain supplier causing the issue. On the other hand the design specs might be low and a certain supplier is exceeding requirements, resulting in parts that don't have the issue. Either way the issue is not systemic so I am very reluctant to say it is a design flaw.

 

Picked up my 2012 f150 super crew 4x2 with the ecoboost engine about two weeks ago and have been back to the dealership already for the popping sensation that periodically happens I the steering wheel. It's a very irritating sensation, it reminds me of my older silverado I had (mid 2000 model) that had an issue with the intermediate steering shaft, but not as severe. I'm in the stage of getting the issue to be reproduced by the dealership.

It definitely feels like there is some slop somewhere in the steering or suspension. Sometimes the popping shows up in the accelerator pedal at the same time when it transmits through the steering wheel.

My f150 was mf'd in Dec 2011 at the Dearborn plant.

 

Does this occur with the windshield wipers on? I know that everyone can feel the window wiper motor pulsing in the brakes, ever so slightly, because they are on the same fuse.

Also, agree with the other post that it's not heat. I nighty my truck at the beginning of summer, and haven't had any trouble, and I live in San Antonio, where it's regularly 100° or more.

 

Have you pulled the fuse and checked for arch markings?

Your symptoms sounds like somethings shorting to me............

Like the wipers are drawing too many amps.

 

14.5k miles, and still have yet to experience this myself in my Dearborn-built 2011 EB XLT. Steering is still smooth as butter, after towing boats and campers all summer long over dirt and gravel roads, and even a little offroading just to put an uppity Titan owner in his place. I scanned the other Ford forum I'm on, and couldn't come up with any issues similar to yours, Wernst. Hope you get it fixed, or trade it in for a newer model.