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Steering binding

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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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From: Pottstown, PA
Steering binding

The yesterday when turning to the left my steering bound up. It happened only when turning left. I had my hubs locked in and thought that might of had something to do with it so i unlocked them but it still happened. The power steering fluid was just above the add mark when i checked it so i added some. It seemed to only happen when making slow turns for example i was slowing down to make a left at a traffic light and going in and out of my driveway. any ideas on what could cause this?

Could this at all be related to a low vacuum issue? I am still having issues with my brakes and am going to get a gauge tomorrow to check to see if i have adequate vacuum.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:17 PM
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From: Pen Argyl Pennsylvania
Could be a vacuum issue or your box is starting to go but I would lean towards vacuum.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:23 PM
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is there anyway to test the steering box to see if it is the problem?
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:50 PM
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From: Pen Argyl Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by archer39
is there anyway to test the steering box to see if it is the problem?
I have no idea. I would think that it would feel loose and or clunk while turning it.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:54 PM
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From: Pottstown, PA
Originally Posted by Free89W350
I have no idea. I would think that it would feel loose and or clunk while turning it.
i adjusted the box back in summer like stated in the "sticky" and it tightened it up but it has since became sloppy again. Wonder if that has anything to do with it.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Free89W350
Could be a vacuum issue or your box is starting to go but I would lean towards vacuum.

The only vacuum issue that would affect the steering is if the guts of the pump exploded so bad that it broke the shaft and no longer drove the power steering pump which is mounted on the rear of the vacuum pump.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 06:58 PM
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From: Pottstown, PA
Originally Posted by Rampage1967
The only vacuum issue that would affect the steering is if the guts of the pump exploded so bad that it broke the shaft and no longer drove the power steering pump which is mounted on the rear of the vacuum pump.
well that rules that out, thanks.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 07:23 PM
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did it sound like their was a pop or anything? or how hard was it to get it turned back? did ya just have to give it a little jerk and it came back?
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 07:27 PM
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It could be your steering box, I adusted mine to tight and it did the same thing your talking about. Your box could be wearing out, if you tightend it to tight it can grind itself up and that would expain why it is loose again.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 07:33 PM
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Rick 12v CTD's Avatar
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do you have a borgeson steering shaft?
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 08:29 PM
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Jack your front end up and turn wheels and have someone watch all the pivot points. Also check your front u-joints on your axle. One of mine rusted and seized so bad (no idea how since they are always moving) that when I would drive down the road it caused my truck to jerk either direction just enough to throw you in the other lane.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 08:41 PM
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From: Pottstown, PA
Originally Posted by 92smokin blacky
did it sound like their was a pop or anything? or how hard was it to get it turned back? did ya just have to give it a little jerk and it came back?
No noise, I could turn the wheel but it was just very hard. It let up after a second and felt normal.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Power Ram 250 C
Jack your front end up and turn wheels and have someone watch all the pivot points. Also check your front u-joints on your axle. One of mine rusted and seized so bad (no idea how since they are always moving) that when I would drive down the road it caused my truck to jerk either direction just enough to throw you in the other lane.

X2. The first thing that came to my mind was a seized axle u-joint. The second thing that came to mind was a seized outer tie rod end. It's rare, but I saw it once on a W350.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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From: Pottstown, PA
Originally Posted by stackx2
It could be your steering box, I adusted mine to tight and it did the same thing your talking about. Your box could be wearing out, if you tightend it to tight it can grind itself up and that would expain why it is loose again.
I don't think I went to tight but who knows. I never felt it bind when I adjusted it and only went a little bit.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 08:47 PM
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From: Pottstown, PA
Originally Posted by Rick 12v CTD
do you have a borgeson steering shaft?
Yes
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