I have a 2008 F350...6.4L deisel with the same problem. The steering wheel does not come back to center after turning it, and like you say you will just go in a circle if you let go. The steering wheel is tight (Meaning hard to turn) * as well. Now here is where it starts to get interesting. I purchased the truck used w/41 thousand miles on it, at my local Chev dealer as the Ford dealer did not have any used vehicles that I was looking for. At the time I bought an extended warranty for bumper to bumper good to 100,000 miles. I have to take it to the Chevy dealer first, then if they cannot diagnose and repair or do not have the tool, etc., to do the job, they send it to the Ford dealer.
I took it to the Chev dealer for "warranty" for hard steering and steering wheel not returning to center. They diagnose a "seized" steering dampner and replaced it.
DID
NOT FIX THE PROBLEM... So, a few days and 1200 mile later, back to the Chev dealer, they take it to the Ford dealer, and they diagnose faulty steering box. Now, waiting to see if FORD WARRANTY will cover it or CHEV WARRANTY, if either. I and waiting somewhat patiently for one of the dealers to reply. I will let you know what happens..
*as to the statement of the salesman who said
"it's a big truck, you need two hands...LOL..I have over 2 million miles of driving truck (IHC 9670 Eagle, KENWORTH Canadiana, FREIGHTLINER and FORD LOUISVILLE). and the only one I ever needed more than a couple of fingers to steer with was an
ARMSTRONG STEERING IHC TANDEM TANKER>>>549 V8 gas job -13 speed (Yeah I know, a real classy truck..hahahaha)....Somebody should put that sales man in a truck like that and show him what a big truck without power steering is all about. He probably wouldn't make it around the block before he started complaining. Even my 1954 International R110 has lighter steering than my new 08 F350. (as long as the old IHC isn't sitting still that is.) So the tight steering is
NOT NORMAL****In the last couple of weeks I have test driven 2 - 2008 F350 6.4's, a 7.3 Crewcab and a 6.0 crewcab...
NONE OF THEM WERE HARD TO STEER....I let the owner of one of the 2008
F350...6.4's drive my truck....his comment..."How the h*** do you drive this thing?" Its hard to keep centered on the highway and even worse when you are towing 10 thousand pounds behind you.
Last edited by HANK THE BEAR : 10-28-2009 at 05:23 PM.
Reason: spelling correction