Symptom Chart - Steering System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Steering has lack of assist or inconsistent assist - vehicles with vacuum boost	Steering gear Power steering pump Restricted power steering lines/hoses	Go to Pinpoint Test A .
Steering has lack of assist or inconsistent assist - vehicles with Hydro-Boost®	Steering gear Power steering pump Restricted power steering lines/hoses	Go to Pinpoint Test B .
Excessive steering wheel play	Steering gear	ADJUST the steering gear meshload. REFER to Steering Gear Meshload Adjustment .
	Steering column Steering column shaft/coupling Steering linkage Ball joints Strut bearing plate	Go to Pinpoint Test C .
Steering system drift/pull/wander	Unevenly loaded vehicle	CORRECT the vehicle loading as necessary.
	Tire pressure Wheel alignment Steering column shaft/coupling Frame alignment	Go to Pinpoint Test D .
	Steering gear	ADJUST the steering gear meshload. REFER to Steering Gear Meshload Adjustment .
Poor returnability/sticky steering	Binding steering column shaft/coupling U-joints	INSTALL a new steering column shaft. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Loose, worn or damaged steering linkage	Go to Steering Linkage Component Tests .
	Binding suspension components	To continue the suspension diagnosis, REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Binding steering column bearing(s)	INSTALL a new steering column. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Binding dash boot seal	INSTALL a new dash boot seal. REFER to STEERING COLUMN article.
	Steering gear	REPAIR or INSTALL a new steering gear as necessary. REFER to POWER STEERING article.