Steering issue....

[blueka]

So we started up the Explorer this morning and drove home, roughly a 10-15 min drive in morning traffic.

Sarah said that the steering felt like it was sticking when she turned left and that it felt hard to steer. She also said it felt like this was happening when she was braking.

We pulled in the drive and she tried dry steering from left to right a few times and then we went to the parking lot across the street so I could have a drive to see what it felt like....

I couldn't detect any issues at all....

Has anyone else had this? What could cause the steering to stick? I think it may be the steering rack...

Si

 

[RaveDigger]

The only steering issues I've had happened when I turned the wheel while the engine was off. Apparently it lets air into the power steering system and causes the steering wheel to jerk back and forth a bit when it's turned. The fix was to turn the wheel all the way right and drive in a few circles, then turn all the way left and drive in a few circles. I'm not sure if this is the exact same problem that you're experiencing, but that's all the info I have. Hope it helps!

 

[gmanpaint]

Couple of things to look for Si.

Whats the fluid level in the pump? Watch the pully on it when idle and rev it in nuetral. Look for it stopping and turning= Bad pump.
Look for leaks in the system.
Never turn the steering wheel with out the engine running.
Bleed the rack with fluids and then turn wheel lock to lock a few times until the shudder goes away. When the rack goes, it goes fast and makes a mess. Mine exploded! lol

Take a look at the entire front suspension for anything obvious. Special attention to the tie rod ends and the C/V's.

There is a coupler in the dash for the steering column that goes bad and there is a write up on how to fix it in the stock 2nd gen forum.

There is also a coupler under the hood for the shaft. Have a look at that.


Other than that, low idle is the only other thing I can think of. Pay attention to it when braking or turning. Throttle is off when doing these. Could be low fuel pressure (fuel pump), or an idle sensor. Worse case scenario is the ECM or GEM is on the way out.

 

[janolsson]

Hey Si
I had a sticky point on my steering caused by the UJ in the shaft in the engine bay. There is a boot over it but it v near the manifold so gets dried out/cooked and splits the joint then gets dry.
I regreased and put a new boot on and problem solved.

 

[blueka]

Funny you should mention the GEM.. I was wondering if that was on it's way out as we're having an issue with the driver's door lock solenoid... it occasionally doesn't want to unlock.... so I have to get in through the passenger door and unlock the driver's door from the inside... Everything else seems to be ok though...


Si

 

[blueka]

The fluid needed a slight top up but she said it's like driving with a left front flat tire....


Si