Steering trouble '08 F-150 4x4

Fritz Maurer · Jun 20, 2019

While idling, steering effort very high. Rev it just a little and it steers fine. Jacked up the front end to take the load off the wheels, (checking for stiff joints) and it steers real smooth at idle. Turn to full lock, both directions, it'll lug the motor down and you can hear the pump go over relief. Can I rule out the pump at this point Or should I put a gage on it? I kind of think if the pump was shot, it wouldn't matter how fast you spun it, but as I said , just a couple more RPM and the problem disappears. What do you guys think? Thanks, Fritz

David G · Jun 20, 2019

sound like weak pump to me.

Steve@Advance · Jun 20, 2019

It can be a weak pump.

It can be bypassing seals in the steering gear, or rack, which ever it has.

If it has monster mudder tires they can cause hard steering.

It's somewhat involved to diagnose. You will need pressure specs, adapters and a pressure gauge to isolate each component.

rrman61 · Jun 20, 2019

My wife?s 09 was doing the exact same thing.it was a sticking by pass valve in the ps pump.changed the pump,problem solved

4play · Jun 21, 2019

Another vote for the pump, even if the pressure control/bypass valve is the problem, it is serviced with the pump.

fusion · Jun 21, 2019

Good morning
The 2008 F 150 has a upper and lower steering shaft
you need to check the lower one it has u joints on the ends
that get tight and hard to steer
we here at my Ford dealership replace them a lot
something to check before getting into a rack or pump replacement.

RLA · Jun 21, 2019

I too agree with Fusion, it is something that is easy to check be for buying a pump or a rack. If you live in the rust belt
it is a bigger issue. I sell 8 to 10 per year, resistance should go & come as the U joint flex's.. It is a good common practice
to squirt some used motor oil on these joints at every oil change. I too am a Ford Parts manager.

fusion · Jun 21, 2019

RLA
where are you from
I am in Pennsylvania

RLA · Jun 21, 2019

Titusville Pa...

fusion · Jun 22, 2019

Clearfield , Pa

DoubleO7 · Jun 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 08:51:11 06/21/19) Good morning
The 2008 F 150 has a upper and lower steering shaft
you need to check the lower one it has u joints on the ends
that get tight and hard to steer
we here at my Ford dealership replace them a lot
something to check before getting into a rack or pump replacement.

So your saying that at idle, the power steering has difficulty overcoming the resistance of a steering column u-joint that is getting stiff?

Steering trouble '08 F-150 4x4

Fritz Maurer

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

rrman61

Well-known Member

4play

Well-known Member

fusion

Member

RLA

Well-known Member

fusion

Member

RLA

Well-known Member

fusion

Member

DoubleO7

Well-known Member

Similar threads