Front Steering Linkage 2500 4X4

[MisterScott]

Brought my 2007. 5 CTD 4X4 megacab in for its first oil change and asked them to look at the front steering. I am getting a serious clunking/grinding noise at full lock (left or right) when I am puttering around parking lots at low speed. After having to explain the problem to the service advisor about 10 times, he was finally reproduced the problem. They said it had to do with a TSB related to a high-speed vibration/shimmy. I asked him how that would relate to what is happening at parking lot speeds. No substantive reply. I also told him that I notice no problem at high speed. Anyhow, they seem to think that some of sealed and lubricated components of the steering need to be replaced. They ordered a new steering damper, tie rods and I think a pitman arm. I also told him that when I turn the wheel, many times the power steering pump cannot keep up with the input to the steering wheel. I know this can be an issue with recirculating ball systems, but it seems pretty bad on this truck. Anyhow, has anyone else had any experiences like this? I know I need an after market damper, that was the first thing I did on my Superduty and it made a world of difference. Seems like they are not really addressing the problems here. Thoughts appreciated.

 

[rbattelle]

Regarding the steering pump not keeping up with steering input - is this happening at idle in parking lots? Mine has always had trouble keeping up if I really crank the wheel fast at idle. I think it's normal.

Regarding the low-speed grinding/clunking, that screams bad universal joint to me. It's exactly what a bad u-joint does.

Ryan

 

[MisterScott]

Well it came back from the dealership feeling better. Yeah, I agree, just need to get used to the low-speed steering pump performance. We'll have to see about the u-joint.