Steering Box Issues

[eddie33]

I have an 06 F250 Super Crew, 6.0. It's lifted 8" with 37" tires. I had some play in the steering so I replaced one of the arms in the front end;forgot the name of it but it was about $200. Lo and Behold the problem was still there. I crawled under the truck while someone moved the steering wheel and found that the play was in the sterring box. I was told by the local Ford dealer, "sorry, it's lifted, we won't warranty it".
I've been down that road before with the whole modified/warranty thing. I F'n hate it.
I believe that I have 2 problems and I want to see if anyone else has seen similar with similar trucks.

Many times when I try to turn the steering wheel while the truck is NOT in motion, it just won't turn. I know that's bad to do but it should still turn. Is that a power steering issue or the big tires? I rather doubt it's the lift or the tires considering I have had 4 other lifted trucks and never had that problem.
I also think that the possible power steering issue may have caused the play in the steering (about1-2 inches at the steering wheel.)
I actually had one "brilliant" service tech at Ford tell me, "there is no excessive play found" when I took it in for service. What a moron!

If any techs or anybody else has some info, I'd appreciate it.
Eddie

[460+]

If you look at the tires when moving the steering wheel how much play is there before the tires move? If holding the wheel at 12:00 position and moving it left and right.

[mschn99]

First thing to do is tighten the pitman arm nut....aftermarket drop pitman arms are netorious for the nut loosening up...ive seen it a TON of times...

[mschn99]

the not turning issue is because of your tires. THe ford pump isnt equipped to handle putting out enough pressure to operate the brakes and the steering at the same time at idle with bigger tires. There is not much you can do about that one though...

[Loubell]

Try here
Welcome to AGR Perfomance, Inc.

Or here
Howe Performance Power Steering

[eddie33]

Originally Posted by Marc

First thing to do is tighten the pitman arm nut....aftermarket drop pitman arms are netorious for the nut loosening up...ive seen it a TON of times...

Been there, done that. Didn't work. We looked underneath at the box and could plainly see that the pitman arm doesn't start moving right away after putting some input into the steering wheel. It appeared the play is in the box.
I'm going to try to tighten the arm again before going further, just in case. Everything else looks good.

As far as the "no steering" is concerned, I now understand that the big tires and weak-*** pump is the problem. That's sad that a "super duty" is weak in steering. I bought the truvk for its strength

"You learn something new everyday" I guess.