Sloppy stearing?

[1Reaper]

I drove my 2006 cc ps home and the stearing seems real sloppy? Is this normal on these years or should I have it checked out?

[fordfan30]

I started noticing the same thing about 2 weeks ago but when I got wide tires it was a lot more noticable . I put my truck on the rack at school and noticed a very slight amount of movement in my tie rod ends but not side to side. It was more of a rotation in a perpindicular line to the linkage. I did find that my sector shaft seemed to be wiggling while rotating. The steering box is tight to the frame and the pitman arm, track bar and bushings,and drag link both look and feel fine. I had a recent alignment and I only have 48K on it. I did a search and found no recalls or TSB's. I did find this is a common problem on our trucks especially if they are lifted. It has been covered under warranty so I have read.

[dieseldan2005]

My parents had to replace their stabilizer bar/drag link which helped their steering. Their truck is a 2005. I replaced my ball joints in my 01 which helped my steering problem.

[ZMANN]

2 fords I test drove had stupid slop in them both dealers said it was normal '' I bought one of those two went home and took 4 full turns of the allen to get it nice and perfect .. normal my butt my had 22k and all the play was in the box but always check Balljoints and tie rod arms

[fordfan30]

ZMANN I assume you tightened the steering box, which way did you turn to tighten? I would guess clockwise would do it but I wont have a chance for a minute and then I wont have much time. Did it take long?

[dieseldan2005]

I adjusted my steering gear too. I don't know if it helped. They are another common thing to wear out. I called my dealer to ask them which way to turn it.

[4x4freak]

any more info on tightening the steering?

[dieseldan2005]

I did mine over 2 yrs ago. I can't honestly remember how far i turned it. Call your dealer and ask them. Mine told me how far to turn it cause i don't think you want to over tighten it. Try doing a google search for steering gear adjustments. That might give you your answer without calling the dealer.

[ZMANN]

It's a pain! I made an extension for my allen wrench by drilling a hole in some steel rod and inserting the wrench and pinching the rod closed then I cut the splash shield a little and had a block to help hold it up ,, then it took 2 wrenches ( metric) to loosen the top nut ( back it off about 3 full turns) then back off the lower nut about 2 turns hold the bottom nut with the wrench and tighten the allen clockwise .. do a little at a time and test drive but always tighten at least the bottom nut , you don't want to over tighten the Allen or it will bind the gears thats why you turn a little and drive a little

[fordfan30]

Thank you for the heads up. I would have went out thinking it would take 15 min.