Sloppy Steering

[chriso]

I recently purchased 2000 Excursion 7.3 Dsl. Love it but have a huge issue I can not deal with. There is 2" of slop in the steering wheel even after checking out the bushings and replacing two of them that were bad. The mechanic performed the crow bar movement test to check the ball joints and he claimed they were fine and had no slop. He did say that the steering box seemed to have more back and forth movement than usual.
Looking for all suggestions. Just took truck for long trip and it was a pain with the floating wheel. My previous F250 had none of this.
Thanks in advance.
CO

[Hoowasat]

The steering box has an adjustment screw with a locknut to hold the setting. Didn't the mechanic attempt to adjust the box? If not, I would seek out a different mechanic. Be very careful to make very small adjustments or you run the risk of ruining the box.

[pasuperdave]

The steering box definately needs adjusted. The adj screw is located at the top of the box. You will have to turn it a little at a time (bout a 1/4 turn in) and test drive. I ended up having to turn about 1 1/4 turns all together. Make sure you tighten the jam nut. The excursions are also blessed with less then sufficient rear springs, which help create the "loose" or sloppy feeling in the steering.

[cougar68]

Excellent advise above but as stated tighten a little at a time as too much pre-load can cause the steering wheel not to return to center after a turn.

[capsap33]

I have a similar problem, but it is ever so slight and only a bit noticeable at highway speeds - but I am going to tighten it as instructed above (and of course after searching Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 1948-2011 Ford F150, Super Duty & SUV owners community and information source. Covers F100, F-150, F250, Bronco, Ranger, Explorer, Expedition, Lighting, Escape and More recommended from another post on here about the sloppy steering) and let ya'll know how it goes.

2000 V-10 Gas 413 CID Excursion

[capsap33]

Found a PRIMARY (not the only) Solution to Sloppy steering (different forum for Ford Trucks): Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 1948-2011 Ford F150, Super Duty & SUV owners community and information source. Covers F100, F-150, F250, Bronco, Ranger, Explorer, Expedition, Lighting, Escape and More
dbtx

Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 138
dbtx is starting off with a positive reputation.
Actually, the longwinded instructions involved taking the steering wheel off and measuring torque on

the steering shaft. Much more involved than I wanted to mess with. Basically all you need to do is

locate the allen head bolt and locknut on top of the steering box (close to the radiator). I believe

the locknut was a 5/8" on my box. Mark the allen bolt so you can tell the orientation that you started

from and then loosen the locknut. Turn the allen bolt clockwise a quarter turn to tighten the gear

mesh. Tighten the locknut back up and take her for a spin. Be careful, because if you overtighten the

steering may be so tight as to get extremely stiff on a tight turn, causing you to veer off course.

Repeat the tighten and test drive until you're satisfied with the performance. If you overtighten, turn

back the allen bolt a quarter turn counter clockwise.

There is a risk of over tightening the box and causing it to wear out prematurely, so I tightened it to

the point where the slop was gone, and no further.

It's so simple, I'm embarassed I didn't try it sooner.

KellySue, the "proper" instructions are here: RV.Net RV and Camping Forum – RV, Trailer, Camper, Motorhome, Camping and Campground Information

To find the steering box, follow the steering shaft out of the firewall toward the radiator. The shaft

terminates into the box down low and in front of the front axle (on my 4x4 anyway). The Allen screw and

locknut are right on top the box. Depending on lighting, a flashlight might help to see it.

Whatever you do, when you're done adjusting make sure you get that locknut tight. I gave mine a second

tightening last night.
Doug (dbtx)

[capsap33]

Additional info on the Sloppy Steering aka wandering steering:
Here is a portion of a link dbtx posted where it is straight from the manual for those who like the "formal" stuff" full post here: RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Tow Vehicles: 2005 Excursion Handling

[capsap33]

If this doesn't help Check out the links in this thread. ATTN: Dup! Steering Wander search results for you! - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums See if the info contained within can help you. Steering wander on these beasts isn't limited to adjusting the steering box.

[capsap33]

If you need to replace your steering box:
Red Head Steering gear box installed - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

[capsap33]

Well, cured my sloppy steering - did it last night - followed instructions from the ford-truck forum that I posted above and here Cured my wandering steering - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums and it drives like a dream now - only took about 30 mins (cuz I was watching football at the same time - doh!!) test drove it - handles good as my Dodge Ram 1500 360 V8, which weighs about 1/2 the EXC - lol - I HIGHLY recommend doing the steering box adjustment - doesnt cost a dime and will eliminate guesswork from that standpoint anyway!