Steering System-General Information: Other Ford Econoline E150

Drift/Pull

Pull is described as a tugging sensation, felt by the hands on the steering wheel, that must be overcome to keep the vehicle going straight.

Drift describes what a vehicle with this condition does with the hands off the steering wheel.

1. A vehicle-related drift/pull, on a flat road, can cause a consistent deviation from the straight-ahead path and require constant steering input in the opposite direction to counteract the effect.
2. Drift/pull can be induced by conditions external to the vehicle (for example, wind or road camber).

Excessive Steering Wheel Play

Excessive steering wheel play is a condition in which there is too much steering wheel movement before the wheels move. A small amount of steering wheel free play is considered normal.

Feedback

Feedback is a roughness felt in the steering wheel when the vehicle is driven over rough pavement.

Hard Steering or Lack of Assist

Hard steering or lack of assist is experienced when the steering wheel effort exceeds specifications. Hard steering can remain constant through the full turn or occur near the end of a turn. It is important to know the difference between hard steering/lack of assist and binding.

Hard steering or lack of assist can result from either hydraulic or mechanical conditions. It is extremely important to know if this concern occurs during driving or during high-effort parking maneuvers.

Nibble

Sometimes confused with shimmy, nibble is a condition resulting from tire interaction with various road surfaces and observed by the driver as small rotational oscillations of the steering wheel.

Poor Returnability/Sticky Steering

Poor returnability and sticky steering is used to describe the poor return of the steering wheel to center after a turn, or the steering correction, is completed.

Shimmy

Shimmy, as observed by the driver, is large, consistent, rotational oscillations of the steering wheel resulting from large, side-to-side (lateral) tire/wheel movements.

Shimmy is usually experienced near 64 km/h (40 mph), and can begin or be amplified when the tire contacts pot holes or irregularities in the road surface.

Wander

Wander is the tendency of the vehicle to require frequent, random left and right steering wheel corrections to maintain a straight path down a level road.

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Steering Linkage

1. With the vehicle on the ground and the parking brake applied, start the vehicle and carry out the following: Have an assistant rotate the steering wheel back and forth 360 degrees and watch for relative motion of the studs in the steering linkage ball sockets. Watch for loose steering gear mounting.
2. An additional check is with the KOEO and the front wheels raised off the ground, grasp the wheel at the front and rear and watch for excessive play or binding in the joints while trying to steer the wheels.
3. Install new components if necessary. Tighten any worn, damaged, or loose components.

Steering Gear Valve

1. With the vehicle in motion, place the transmission in NEUTRAL and turn the engine OFF. If the vehicle does not pull with the engine OFF, repair or install a new steering gear. Refer to «POWER STEERING»(ref-210125) .
2. If the vehicle pulls with the engine OFF, switch the right side front wheel to the left side of the vehicle and the left side front wheel to the right side of the vehicle.
3. If the vehicle pulls to the opposite side, switch the front wheels with the rear wheels keeping them on the same side of the vehicle.
4. If the vehicle pull direction does not change, check the front suspension components, wheel alignment and frame alignment. Refer to «SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION»(ref-234565) .

Power Steering System Purging

SPECIAL TOOL(S)

Scheme 20

MATERIAL

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. Remove the power steering pump reservoir cap. Check the fluid.
2. Raise the front wheels off the floor. Refer to «JACKING & LIFTING»(ref-210109) .
3. Tightly insert the stopper of the vacuum pump into the reservoir.
4. Start the engine.
5. Install the vacuum pump, apply vacuum, and maintain the maximum vacuum of 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg).
6. If equipped with Hydro-Boost®, apply the brake pedal twice.
7. Cycle the steering wheel fully from stop-to-stop 10 times.
8. Stop the engine.
9. Release the vacuum and remove the vacuum pump.
10. Fill the reservoir. Use approved transmission fluid.
11. Start the engine.
12. Install the vacuum pump. Apply and maintain the maximum vacuum of 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg).
13. Cycle the steering wheel fully from stop-to-stop 10 times.
14. Stop the engine, release the vacuum and remove the vacuum pump.
15. Fill the reservoir as needed and install the reservoir cap.
16. Visually inspect the power steering system for leaks.
17. Fill the reservoir as needed and visually inspect the power steering system for leaks.
18. Install the reservoir cap.

Power Steering System Filling

SPECIAL TOOL(S)

Scheme 21

MATERIAL

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. Remove the power steering pump reservoir cap.
2. Tightly install the evacuation cap to the power steering pump reservoir.
3. Install the hose from the fill adapter manifold tee to the evacuation cap on the power steering pump reservoir.
4. Install the vacuum pump to the fill adapter manifold control valve.
5. Install the hose to the opposite fill adapter manifold control valve and submerge the open end of the hose into a container of new power steering fluid.
6. Close the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the power steering fluid container.
7. Open the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the vacuum pump.
8. Using the vacuum pump, apply 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) of vacuum to the power steering system.
9. Observe the vacuum gauge for 30 seconds.
10. If the vacuum gauge reading drops more than 3 kPa (0.88 in-Hg), correct any leaks in the power steering system or the filling tools before proceeding.
11. Slowly open the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the power steering fluid container until power steering fluid completely fills the hose.
12. Close the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the power steering fluid container.
13. Using the vacuum pump, apply 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) of vacuum to the power steering system.
14. Close the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the vacuum pump.
15. Slowly open the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the power steering fluid container.
16. When the power steering fluid has drained from the hose connected to the power steering fluid container, close the fill adapter manifold control valve connected to the power steering fluid container.
17. Remove the tools from the vehicle.
18. Install the power steering reservoir cap.
19. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop.
20. If equipped with Hydro-Boost®, apply the brake pedal twice.
21. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
22. Remove the power steering reservoir cap and fill the reservoir.
23. Install the power steering reservoir cap.