Intermittent stiff / hard steering

[tkoden]

I have had issues with the steering on my 99 Mountaineer 170k miles for a while now. It has gotten to the point to where my wrists are hurting from turning the steering wheel. I replaced the rack and the PS pump but neither fixed the issue. Sometimes I feel significantly less effort turning left than right. I also notice that sometimes I can feel a slight clunk or pop in the steering wheel.

This is an AWD vehicle so I have no idea where to look next. I was thinking possibly the spider gears might be frozen? Any other thoughts?

 

[bigred4x4]

I'd jack it up and check ball joints and cv axles for binding you should unbolt the outer tie rod smack it a few times with a hammer it'll pop out of the knuckle as the suspension droops move the knuckle side to side on both sides if its tight then grease ball joints if applicable see if that helps .then try to isolate problem from there also check for line flow on your power steering fluid lines could be a clogged line,cooler,filter if applicable. Also check for steering column linkage binding.

 

[tkoden]

Thank you for the feedback. I will try to check that stuff out this weekend.

 

[bigred4x4]

Is the pump whining? Also smack outside the part of the knuckle the outer tie rod bolt goes into not the tie rod itself, thought i should clarify that . that will save you from buying the "fork" puller tool and the hammer trick works like a charm

 

[bigred4x4]

This may be obvious but I'm sure you have sufficient fliud in the pump as well

 

[tkoden]

Well, I tore the front end apart. Everything feels tight with the exception of the lower ball joints. There is a little up.and down play in them.

How hard is it to replace lower ball joints on these things? Can I do it myself with basic tools or should I talk it to a mechanic?

 

[swshawaii]

Lower Ball Joint Replacement How To (lots of Pictures) | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

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[bigred4x4]

Also did you bleed the system when you replaced the pump? Could be air in the line

I don't try think the lower ball joints would have much to with your steering problem its definitely possible but unlikely.I'd replace them any way though if there shot.

 

[tkoden]

Also did you bleed the system when you replaced the pump? Could be air in the line

I don't try think the lower ball joints would have much to with your steering problem its definitely possible but unlikely.I'd replace them any way though if there shot.

Yeah, this is my thought too but I'm already that far into it so I might as well.

What is the procedure for bleeding the PS system? Everything moves smoothly and easily stop to stop when the tires are in the air. When I did the rack I went stop to stop back and forth until it stopped taking fluid.

One thing I did notice is when the tires were on the ground my wife was turning the wheel and I could hear the rack going to bypass which I took to me mean that the rack was working as hard as it could and something external was binding or dragging causing the issue.

CV boots aren't torn and the joints seem smooth. Any other suggestions of things to check while I'm under there?

 

[bigred4x4]

Unhook the low pressure return line and observe flow and run some fliud out while someone else pours some in to prevent running it dry kinda like flushing it.As far as other possibilities I guess it could be just about anything in the front end just trouble shoot and check everything also check the steering column if you replaced the pump and rack then that's probably not your problem just feel everything out by hand CV,turn the axle by hand,wiggle all joints,etc im almost leaning towards your steering column try disconnect the shaft and turn the wheel you'll find it sometimes it just takes a minute and its usually the last thing you check lol

 

[Jim Faulkner]

Also did you bleed the system when you replaced the pump? Could be air in the line.

That would be my thought as well, considering you replaced the rack and pump. But - did you replace the rack and pump because of these symptoms to start with? I think that is what I read in your first message. If so, then a bind in the column is the best next option I think.

 

[tkoden]

That would be my thought as well, considering you replaced the rack and pump. But - did you replace the rack and pump because of these symptoms to start with? I think that is what I read in your first message. If so, then a bind in the column is the best next option I think.

But wouldn't a bind in the column be there regardless of whether the tires are on the ground or not? This only an issue when there is weight on the tires.

 

[Jim Faulkner]

But wouldn't a bind in the column be there regardless of whether the tires are on the ground or not? This only an issue when there is weight on the tires.

Ahh, so it only happens when the tires are on the ground? You can't get the same result when the tires are free and clear from the ground? Have you tried having just one up and one down and see what happens?

If it is only when on the ground, then it probably is your suspension somewhere. Lower control arm, outer tie rods, cv axle, something along those lines. I would look for something binding up in your wheel (the dust shield around the rotor, some link rod or other binding up).