Squeaking, sticking steering wheel

[tylerdurden2816]

The problems don't end lately! Ok full story. The power steering on my 03 has been literally on and off for a long time now but I could live with it. In February I parked the car and bought a winter beater with 4x4. I ran the Marauder often in the driveway but didn't take it out on the road till yesterday, so, roughly five months. Now, if I turn the wheel in either direction the first two or three inches, the wheel is very tight and audibly squeaking from what sounds like inside the car to me, then it gets smooth and quiet, but then if I keep turning the wheel it gets sticky and squeaky again before I can turn the wheel to full lock. I tried spraying PB Blaster through the gap in the plastic of the steering column but that didn't seem to do anything. My buddies at the party I was going to suggested it's the U-joints binding on the shaft within the engine bay, but hearing the squeak like its in the cabin, I'm not so sure, does anyone know exactly what this is? Will continuing to drive it make it better, or worse, or not help either way?

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[Mr. Man]

Steering rack does have it's issues. I believe there is a selinoid on or near it that also has had issues. Try Google for Marauder steering problems. Should give you an indication on where to look.

[Prospect62]

My buddies at the party I was going to suggested it's the U-joints binding on the shaft within the engine bay, but hearing the squeak like its in the cabin, I'm not so sure, does anyone know exactly what this is? Will continuing to drive it make it better, or worse, or not help either way?

The guys were right, it's your lower steering shaft (the one under the hood) binding. Common issue, and on the 2005 and newer cars, it can be very dangerous. Grab one on eBay for $50 an replace it in about an hour. Easy job. As for the squeaking, it's probably the retainer bearing in the column under the dash. Also a dangerous issue on the 2005+ cars. On yours, just an annoyance that may go away on it's own. But definitely change the lower shaft, you will notice the difference.

[tylerdurden2816]

Ok, so this must be the bad knuckle, I slathered it with Never-Seez and the audible creaking stopped and the steering got much better (but not perfect). One pic is for context and the other is a close up. Is that the lower or intermediate shaft? IDK where one ends and the next starts!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190710/6547acf1459151420d682211813f6f d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190710/8250e9a647c35852dec270ae09abf4 49.jpg

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[tylerdurden2816]

Anybody?...Is it my pictures?...

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[justbob]

That’s the lower. One bolt at the bottom, then it pulls up to separate at the bottom. Then the whole assembly will pull down from the top. With all that rust good luck.


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[tylerdurden2816]

That’s the lower. One bolt at the bottom, then it pulls up to separate at the bottom. Then the whole assembly will pull down from the top. With all that rust good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProAwesome, the lower is substantially cheaper, thanks!

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[justbob]

Awesome, the lower is substantially cheaper, thanks!

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Just to clarify. The silver blob of goop you created is the end of the intermediate shaft. The lower plugs into that and heads south.

Google some pics.


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[tylerdurden2816]

Did the lower shaft today, came out and went in surprisingly well, the knuckle I'm pointing at in the picture was seized to the point I literally couldn't move it by hand. However, while the steering is a bit smoother now, it still isn't right. It's like the power steering isn't doing enough. But it's no longer like trying to turn the wheel over a hump before it smooths out at least!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190831/bc1bf3501f99d6805467bc4d858d01 86.jpg

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[justbob]

If I remember your car right I believe the sensor on the power steering pressure hose was on its way out.


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[tylerdurden2816]

If I remember your car right I believe the sensor on the power steering pressure hose was on its way out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProDo you know the name or part number of that sensor? I just looked on Rock Auto and couldn't seem to find anything I thought was right. The heavy steering on this car stopped or at low speed has been obnoxious for a long time now.

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[Chi Stallion]

Power steering return hose https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-power-steering-return-hose-6w1z3a713aa/?c=Zz1zdGVlcmluZyZzPXB1bXAtYW5 kLWhvc2VzJmk9SkEwMzIxNTUmcj03J mE9bWVyY3VyeSZvPW1hcmF1ZGVyJnk 9MjAwMyZ0PWJhc2UmZT00LTZsLXY4L Wdhcw%3D%3D
Pressure Hose https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-pressure-hose-6w1z3a719b/?c=Zz1zdGVlcmluZyZzPXB1bXAtYW5 kLWhvc2VzJmk9SkEwMzIxNTUmcj05J mE9bWVyY3VyeSZvPW1hcmF1ZGVyJnk 9MjAwMyZ0PWJhc2UmZT00LTZsLXY4L Wdhcw%3D%3D

[tylerdurden2816]

Power steering return hose https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-power-steering-return-hose-6w1z3a713aa/?c=Zz1zdGVlcmluZyZzPXB1bXAtYW5 kLWhvc2VzJmk9SkEwMzIxNTUmcj03J mE9bWVyY3VyeSZvPW1hcmF1ZGVyJnk 9MjAwMyZ0PWJhc2UmZT00LTZsLXY4L Wdhcw%3D%3D
Pressure Hose https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-pressure-hose-6w1z3a719b/?c=Zz1zdGVlcmluZyZzPXB1bXAtYW5 kLWhvc2VzJmk9SkEwMzIxNTUmcj05J mE9bWVyY3VyeSZvPW1hcmF1ZGVyJnk 9MjAwMyZ0PWJhc2UmZT00LTZsLXY4L Wdhcw%3D%3DI know I'm not leaking any steering fluid though.

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[justbob]

Do you know the name or part number of that sensor? I just looked on Rock Auto and couldn't seem to find anything I thought was right. The heavy steering on this car stopped or at low speed has been obnoxious for a long time now.

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Should be same power steering pressure switch for a Vic. They had a change over sometime in ‘03 from square connector to round so confirm on your car. Look at the pressure hose link in the one that George left you and you’ll see where it screws on all the way to the left.

I didn’t see a listing on Rock auto but seems everyone else shows them.


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[tylerdurden2816]

Should be same power steering pressure switch for a Vic. They had a change over sometime in ‘03 from square connector to round so confirm on your car. Look at the pressure hose link in the one that George left you and you’ll see where it screws on all the way to the left.

I didn’t see a listing on Rock auto but seems everyone else shows them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProWould that be called the Power Steering Pressure Switch?

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[justbob]

Yes..


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