Steering Problems? 4” of play while stopped?

[ItsNotLightening]

Hey y’all.

Trying to figure out if my steering needs to be looked at by the dealer. It feels like it alternates between being really easy to turn the wheel and then will immediately feel somewhat difficult to turn.

Also, on a tight right turn from a stop sign, it felt almost like the rubber of the tire “rolled” on itself. Like smooth turning and then a sudden jump several inches in the direction I was turning, but the tire pressure is all nominal.

Lastly, sitting in park in a parking lot, the wheel has like 4” of play before it catches and starts to turn the wheels. (See attached video). Is that normal?

This is my first Ford, so I’m trying to figure out if I’m just not used to how Ford’s power steering works or if something needs tweaking.

 

[Grumpy2]

The video seems typical. The truck is VERY heavy and turning the front tires while not moving can make the wheel act like that, especially on gravel or dirt, also make sure you have your tire pressure up to the proper level.

 

[Rlevans]

I’d check your upper ball joints.

recent CSP for loosely torqued nuts !

 

[TaxmanHog]

Please go to this thread and read it.
Have you looked at your Fordpass, Service tab for possible alerts for Recalls ?

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-impacting-certain-2023-to-2024-builds.23506/

 

[ItsNotLightening]

Please go to this thread and read it.
Have you looked at your Fordpass, Service tab for possible alerts for Recalls ?

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-impacting-certain-2023-to-2024-builds.23506/

I checked that last week. My VIN/Production date was outside of the range. Could just mean their range was too conservative, though. No recall notice in app or mail.

 

[Grumpy2]

I do not see any play, notice the background moving as the wheel is turned, the front wheels appear to be turning, but the resistance (low tire pressure, or gravel, etc) requires more pressure than the light finger motion.

 

[ItsNotLightening]

I do not see any play, notice the background moving as the wheel is turned, the front wheels appear to be turning, but the resistance (low tire pressure, or gravel, etc) requires more pressure than the light finger motion.

The wheels aren’t turning until the steering wheel hits resistance (which is when I let go and it snaps back (the wheels don’t move during that snap back either).

 

[Henry Ford]

@ItsNotLightening, is this your first truck? I can't diagnose your truck from my phone but nothing you've mentioned seems unusual about a big heavy truck with a lot of sidewall.

 

[Dan C]

Can't really tell much from the video, but your lightining is not drive by wire. If you have 4 inches of play you will have it all the time

 

[Grumpy2]

The wheels aren’t turning until the steering wheel hits resistance (which is when I let go and it snaps back (the wheels don’t move during that snap back either).

I didn't word my response very well, sorry. What is happening is your steering system is attempting to turn the wheel, however there is too much friction, that is why you can see in your video the truck is moving, or "flexing" some.

The truck is very heavy and the rough texture of the surface it was parked on (or the flexibility of the tires) is the issue, I don't believe it is "play" in the steering. I think it is normal behavior for the truck.

 

[Formerly]

I’d check your upper ball joints.

recent CSP for loosely torqued nuts !

Sounds exactly like this, 4" of play is not normal

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