I've got an '06 F150 and the steering isn't right with it. It has had a heavy feel and is almost like the power assist is only working half as good as it should. It's been like this for a couple months. I 've had all four ball joints and the steering rack replaced in the last month. It had the heavy steering feel before and after everything was replaced. It also doesn't recover itself on sharp turns, I have to turn the wheel back as I complete the turn. Could it be the power steering pump? I thought it was a mechanical device and it either worked or it didn't, maybe they get weak? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

While idling at a stop. Try reving the engine up to 2000 and see if it steers easyer. If it does then you have a weak power steering pump.

Also, if you have bigger tires then stock, this can affect your power steering assist because there is more tire in contact with the road.

 

This my sound to easy but the same thing happen to me . 04 5.4, its the same feeling. took it to the car wash opened the hood an directed the spray on the steering shaft that connects to the [rack an pinion] where the UJOINTS are top an bottom. an my power steering came back!!! the only thing it could have been dirt an ice ...got home took a can of garage door lube sprayed the two jouints. its been TWO MONTHS..works great..

 

Just spotted this, Ford F150 .net • View topic - What would cause my 2004 F-150 steering to be stiff and not?, hope it helps

 

I also had this problem on a Camry the wouldn't straighten out on its' own after a turn. I had recently replaced the steering rack so it was suspect. Everyone I asked said steering rack so I pulled the steering rack out again expecting the shaft on the rack to be very hard to turn, but it was easy to turn. I then started looking for what else could cause the problem. I found the same issue as above(universal swivel). Toyota wanted $135. I told them to stick it and got out the WD-40. No more problems.

 

THANKS! I had the same problems and just spryed some PB Blaster all over the upper and lower u-joints on the steering shaft. It worked great! Makes sense to me...lots of rain and then sitting for a few days tends to cease things up a bit. Thanks again

 

I just came across this forum today, I hope lubricating my steering shaft solves my problems.

EScott,
Note that PB Blaster is a penetrant and WD40 is a lubricant, even though they are often used interchangably. Using PB Blaster may bring your steering back for a little bit, but it will likely not have a lasting affect (like a lubricant will) and it may even accelerate the wear on the joint (especially if there are rubber seals anywhere on the u-joint). You may want to use WD40, or perhaps another spray lubricant instead of a penetrant.

 

Wow, I didn't even think about that. Thanks. I'll be sure to add the WD 40.

 

So I sprayed some WD40 on the steering joints, and my 04 steers great. Keep up the good work guys!

 

This worked very well for me on my '06. We are just coming off winter and cold weather here in MI. I looked at the universal and it was a bit crusty. Rinsed her down with $3.00 worth of WD-40, Awesome. Back to smooth as silk.. Thanks guys. U-R-the Best.

 

Thank you for your advice. I had the same problem with steering becoming harder and harder with every day. I was going to replace the power steering pump, but found you posts. Two rounds of WD40 on both joints and some axle grease took care of the problem. Saved me some $$$$.

 

Had the same problem the last 2 years. It starts when the weather gets above 70° and seems to clear up in the fall. No sign of it in the winter. When I do have the problem, I have found that white lithium grease works really well. That or garage door track lube. It's a known issue with these F150s but not enough to warrant Ford to recall it. Besides, it's only the steering column....and Ford gets about 3 bills for the part alone. The local dealer wants about 9 hours labor.

 

A lot of us remove/change power steering fluid with a big syringe then add new fluid. Do this several times over a few weeks and you will have replaced all the power steering fluid.

 

OP: Update?

 

Yer kidding, right?

I mean, I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again, but the OP has exactly two posts, and he posted this thread 4 years ago. It's pretty safe to say he aint gonna be updating this thread.

Stewart