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cschroth1
10-08-09, 04:00 PM
Hi,
I own a 1997 f-150 4x4 extra cab step side pick-up.It has the 4.6L motor and has 185,000 miles on it.
I recently noticed the steering sometimes becomes stiff or harder to turn sometimes.sometimes it feels o:k,then other times certain turns feel stiff?
The power steering fluid is original as far as I know.I bought the truck at 75,000 miles.It was in good cond.This problem is only in the last 1-2 weeks?
The front tire inflation is good.Any ideas?I want some thought on this before I get it looked at if possible.I also greased the front chassis.Thanks:thinker:
I own a 1997 f-150 4x4 extra cab step side pick-up.It has the 4.6L motor and has 185,000 miles on it.
I recently noticed the steering sometimes becomes stiff or harder to turn sometimes.sometimes it feels o:k,then other times certain turns feel stiff?
The power steering fluid is original as far as I know.I bought the truck at 75,000 miles.It was in good cond.This problem is only in the last 1-2 weeks?
The front tire inflation is good.Any ideas?I want some thought on this before I get it looked at if possible.I also greased the front chassis.Thanks:thinker:
woodsman23
10-08-09, 06:07 PM
I have a 97 also the 4.6 is bullet proof for sure. Mine has 296,xxx miles on it. I am not sure what your problem could be but i would check front end parts like, tie-rod ends, pitman arm, ball joints. It could be your fluid and here is how to change it.
take a turkey baster (a buck at dollar store) remove power steering cap and pull out all the fluid you can with baster. Then add new fluid and run turning wheel side to side then repeat pulling out more fluid and adding new until you see good fluid. I would add some lucis lube the stuff worked great on my wifes explorer and loosened up the steering after about 200 miles.
take a turkey baster (a buck at dollar store) remove power steering cap and pull out all the fluid you can with baster. Then add new fluid and run turning wheel side to side then repeat pulling out more fluid and adding new until you see good fluid. I would add some lucis lube the stuff worked great on my wifes explorer and loosened up the steering after about 200 miles.
newtofta
10-08-09, 07:15 PM
get under the veh.
use your fingers/possibly a dull screwdriver-pull the protective
cover over the lower ball joints down-look for deteriorated /missing -'boots' around the lower ball joints/'if' you see the amaged boots,do you see 'rust' brown color-no lube?
or should have mentioned earlier-do the ball joints have a grease fitting?
if if has a gravel shield on the bottom-covering the drag link& idler arm- the idler arm 'may'not have been getting necessary lube.
also- 'if' the drive belt is worn out- a little rain water splash on the belt will cause the belt to slip,when the p/s is under a strain-parking/turning.
use your fingers/possibly a dull screwdriver-pull the protective
cover over the lower ball joints down-look for deteriorated /missing -'boots' around the lower ball joints/'if' you see the amaged boots,do you see 'rust' brown color-no lube?
or should have mentioned earlier-do the ball joints have a grease fitting?
if if has a gravel shield on the bottom-covering the drag link& idler arm- the idler arm 'may'not have been getting necessary lube.
also- 'if' the drive belt is worn out- a little rain water splash on the belt will cause the belt to slip,when the p/s is under a strain-parking/turning.