Badlands Steering Problems

[bitterbrew]

Hello!! Anyone else having steering issues with a manual transmission badlands? First issue was on a cold morning a couple of weeks ago. I walked out and started it to let it warm up. Went out 10 minutes later to take my boy to school and the steering wheel wouldn't budge. I could back up and pull forward but the wheel wouldn't move at all. I swapped vehicles and hustled to drop him off and went on to work. I tried it after work and everything seemed normal. Our local dealership kept if for a week or so but was not able to diagnose anything. No warning lights.. no codes.. couldn't recreate the issue.

I've had it back for a couple of weeks and everything seemed normal. However, driving last night on a curvy road I noticed that the steering seemed stiff all of the sudden. When turning left, I have to help the wheel back to center. Otherwise it will get stuck around the 9 o'clock position. I'm assuming it's all related. Anyone else having a similar issue?

Sponsored

 

[Area51BS]

Some other post on here. I think water got in boots and froze.

 

[coadr]

If I had a nickel for every time a steering rack froze, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice

 

[PWillette]

Hello!! Anyone else having steering issues with a manual transmission badlands? First issue was on a cold morning a couple of weeks ago. I walked out and started it to let it warm up. Went out 10 minutes later to take my boy to school and the steering wheel wouldn't budge. I could back up and pull forward but the wheel wouldn't move at all. I swapped vehicles and hustled to drop him off and went on to work. I tried it after work and everything seemed normal. Our local dealership kept if for a week or so but was not able to diagnose anything. No warning lights.. no codes.. couldn't recreate the issue.

I've had it back for a couple of weeks and everything seemed normal. However, driving last night on a curvy road I noticed that the steering seemed stiff all of the sudden. When turning left, I have to help the wheel back to center. Otherwise it will get stuck around the 9 o'clock position. I'm assuming it's all related. Anyone else having a similar issue?

So steering wheel actually locks up or just hard to turn? Have you done any steering component modifications?

 

[bitterbrew]

So steering wheel actually locks up or just hard to turn? Have you done any steering component modifications?

The first round, the steering wheel was completely locked. No movement at all. Now, the steering is stiff and slightly sticking in certain spots. I'm still running all factory parts.

 

[PWillette]

The first round, the steering wheel was completely locked. No movement at all. Now, the steering is stiff and slightly sticking in certain spots. I'm still running all factory parts.

Sounds like a possible steering rack issue, something binding the rack...bad bushing possibly or something may have got in to the rack. Have you checked if the tie rod boots are clamped and not torn?

 

[bitterbrew]

Some other post on here. I think water got in boots and froze.

Makes sense. I had just come from the carwash and the temp dropped that night. However, I wouldn't think that would cause the stiff handling now. It steered normally for a couple of weeks after i picked it up form the dealership.

 

[killaz05]

I can almost guarantee the boots on the tierods failed (even if small) and water got into the steering rack. I had a somewhat similar issue due to negligence on my part and my mechanic friend, but mud/water got into the steering rack and it felt sticking in some parts and then it developed a noise coming from the steering wheel like sand was in it.

Turns out the water/sand started to corrode the internals. Had to have the whole steering rack replaced. Took a while for the rack to come in but the bronco was functional thank goodness.

 

[Searchdawg]

I had this issue on my F150 electric steering rack. The steering would occasionally stick at the 9 o’clock position in sweeping left hand turns, no matter the weather. I took it to dealer and they did recreate the problem once, but could not figure out what was wrong. I did have some squirrel damage as well from parking outside. A few wires and two sensors had been chewed on. None of the wires or sensors had anything to do with steering, but after they were repaired, the sticking steering issue went away. Not the F150 and the Bronco get rodent packs and peppermint oil treatment regularly.

 

[userdude]

You may have ice forming on the steering screw. Or you may have a worn spot on the plastic bushing you're only seeing during certain circumstances. With the BL, it's the HOSS 2.0 rack, and I would not be surprised the service tech didn't disassemble the tie rods to check the bushing.

Note if you get the rack updated, insist on the HD (HOSS 3.0) steering rack. It'll be a much better option even though twice as much, and the 24 BLs come with it now, so you should in theory be able to get Ford service to install it.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hello!! Anyone else having steering issues with a manual transmission badlands? First issue was on a cold morning a couple of weeks ago. I walked out and started it to let it warm up. Went out 10 minutes later to take my boy to school and the steering wheel wouldn't budge. I could back up and pull forward but the wheel wouldn't move at all. I swapped vehicles and hustled to drop him off and went on to work. I tried it after work and everything seemed normal. Our local dealership kept if for a week or so but was not able to diagnose anything. No warning lights.. no codes.. couldn't recreate the issue.

I've had it back for a couple of weeks and everything seemed normal. However, driving last night on a curvy road I noticed that the steering seemed stiff all of the sudden. When turning left, I have to help the wheel back to center. Otherwise it will get stuck around the 9 o'clock position. I'm assuming it's all related. Anyone else having a similar issue?

Hello! If you would like assistance with your concern, please send over a DM with your VIN and Ford dealer info.

Sponsored