Steering feels loose

[jwindbigler]

I have had some problems with my steering feeling a little loose. I threw it up on my alignment race at school, and everything checked out. Caster, camber, toe, all good, but the steering feels loose.

A buddy of mine pointed out that I should have a steering dampner on the truck, and when I went to go and take a look at it, I saw brackets for one, but there was not one there.

My question is: Is there supposed to be a steering dampner on my truck, and if so, where can I pick one up besides the stealership?

2003 F250; 4-door; 6.0; 4x4

[jwindbigler]

Steering damper yes, no? Maybe?

[skanj0]

Steering stabilizers are not included on all trucks from the factory. It depends upon the options the truck was ordered with.

A steering stabilizer isn't intended to fix or mask sloppy steering. It's job it to moderate bump steer and other sudden inputs/impacts to the steering system which come from the road.

While your alignment may be within spec, I suspect you have some worn steering components. Could be the steering box, drag link ends, tie rod ends, or even ball joints. I would start at the steering box and work downward to the tire rod ends. Have someone move the steering wheel while you inspect the entire steering system for unwanted movement.

[jwindbigler]

That is what I was thinking. I didnt want to get into the steering box if I could prevent it with the stabilizer. Dang, I really didnt want to have to tear into the thing, but oh well. I'll post pics when I do the job. Thanks again for your input.

[Tony V]

if you throw a steerin stablizer on there it WILL help a lot.

[LHMissions]

My '03 had the brackets but also didnt have a stabilizer on it.

[Rohan]

I just adjusted the box on mine. Mine was scarey loose, i almost wrecked a couple times from overcorrection. I made adjustments in very small increments to avoid binding in the box, but it has helped. I don't want to tighten it anymore, but it is still a little loose but not near as bad as it was. I'll be looking at drag link and tie rods next.

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by Tony V

if you throw a steerin stablizer on there it WILL help a lot.

If the steering wheel is loose, like you turn the wheel but the tires don't move, a stabilizer won't help with that. I've seen some truck that could turn the sterring wheel at least 1/4 turn without getting a response, there was that much play in the wheel. The only way to fix this is to adjust/replace the steering box, and/or check steering component joints. Stabilizers are mainly for bump steer problem, especially when running larger-than-stock tires.

[jwindbigler]

Originally Posted by Rohan

If the steering wheel is loose, like you turn the wheel but the tires don't move, a stabilizer won't help with that. I've seen some truck that could turn the sterring wheel at least 1/4 turn without getting a response, there was that much play in the wheel. The only way to fix this is to adjust/replace the steering box, and/or check steering component joints. Stabilizers are mainly for bump steer problem, especially when running larger-than-stock tires.

This is the issue that I have. Its not 1/4 turn, its more like 1/16, but I just dont like it. I find myself overcorrecting all the time. I am a new truck owner so the loose steering makes it difficult. So, I would like it to have more solid steering.

I'll probaby take it apart this weekend. Did you need any shims or anything, or is it just tightening a bolt to move the gear around?? I havent looked it up in my ford tech manual yet, so I was curious on real world what you needed to do.

[Madmaxz]

adjust the steering box youll see a nut on the front of the steering box. loosen the nut while holding the bolt and allen wrench. turn the allen wrench 1 hole turn and tighten the nut back up. see if that helps. ive done this 3 times finally i just replaced the steering box last week and guess what steers like new! also just did all the tierod ends this weekend. i took it in for an alignment and the tech said 2 were bad. now its even better. who woulda thunk it..