Steering wheel play in 12&6 position

[Deleted member 1486]

Hey folks,
I am looking to see if anyone is having this issue. 2021 Ranger XLT steering wheel moves in 12&6 position. Also vibration in steering unit when unit is in normal operation highway driving, making turns etc. I looked to see if there was a campaign or recall nothing as of yet. Dealer is getting truck tomorrow. Fingers crossed it is not a steering box or something complex. Has anyone here reading this experienced this issue or similar?

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[Deleted member 1486]

"moves" is such a subjective term
how much? what direction is the movement? X Y or Z?
does it move when you pull on it, turn it, twist it?

more info the better.

is your tilt steering locked correctly?

Thanks for the reply no tilt steering is an easy fix for drunk blind man. The steering wheel has play in it when hands on the wheel at 12 and 6 position. During normal operation you feel vibration and wheel movements during operation

 

[adisidoro5]

I think you're holding your steering wheel wrong...

 

[MikeyB]

That sucks. Have you done any modifications to the front end?
Check your tire pressure?
Only thing I’ve done to mine is changed the front struts to Bilstein 4600’s
My steering is tight and straight on

 

[AdamHarris]

Likely a ball stuck in your recirculating ball power steering box. Crawl under truck and try to shake it loose by hand. Also check your power steering fluid level and check for leaks. Check power steering pump belt tension using a level-3 Only tension checker. Report back immediately.

 

[AdamHarris]

i just want to add to this as well.

take a ball peen hammer with you

whenever you're trying to troubleshoot a problem its best to have all the proper tools with you.

with certain components that have been engineered and tested, you sometimes find a red dot on them.
it can be other colors too, but generally red means "significant"
if it's yellow, it less severe, etc etc.

I'm sure Phil has the engineering chart available for us with all the colors.

But anyway, I digress.

look at your steering box and look for the dot.
If you find a red one, that's the sweet spot. Engineers have identified it this way for easy reference, it makes back yard mechanics look like God when it comes to fixing things.

Give it a good smack. Like you mean it. Then re-test your problem
If it goes away, you're good.
If not, hit it one more time but harder and curse a couple times.

Excellent Advice!!! Additionally: if you see Any color marks over fasteners, those fasteners need to be backed out and reinserted with as much force as humanly possible. Preferably utilize the longest cheater bar you can find. Good stuff.

 

[Jason B]

You guys are brutal. OP asked a serious question and replies were dangerous, if OP doesn't get the sarcasm or is unfamiliar with the steering system on new vehicles. Lets' hope he isn't naive and damages something die to tongue in cheek advice.

 

[deleriumtremor]

Until you get it fixed, drop by a Jeep dealer and ask to test drive one of their Wranglers (doesn't matter used or new), when you get back from the test drive, you will be feeling a little better already.

 

[dtech]

these guys had issues with Ford's, probably included steering

http://throwinwrenches.blogspot.com/2013/11/stooges-fords-never-happy-ending.html

 

[mr.wonderful]

i just want to add to this as well.

take a ball peen hammer with you

whenever you're trying to troubleshoot a problem its best to have all the proper tools with you.

with certain components that have been engineered and tested, you sometimes find a red dot on them.
it can be other colors too, but generally red means "significant"
if it's yellow, it less severe, etc etc.

I'm sure Phil has the engineering chart available for us with all the colors.

But anyway, I digress.

look at your steering box and look for the dot.
If you find a red one, that's the sweet spot. Engineers have identified it this way for easy reference, it makes back yard mechanics look like God when it comes to fixing things.

Give it a good smack. Like you mean it. Then re-test your problem
If it goes away, you're good.
If not, hit it one more time but harder and curse a couple times.

Woah woah woah woah! He said steering issues, not starter issues ?

 

[Deleted member 1486]

Likely a ball stuck in your recirculating ball power steering box. Crawl under truck and try to shake it loose by hand. Also check your power steering fluid level and check for leaks. Check power steering pump belt tension using a level-3 Only tension checker. Report back immediately.

On that right away

 

[Deleted member 1486]

That sucks. Have you done any modifications to the front end?
Check your tire pressure?
Only thing I’ve done to mine is changed the front struts to Bilstein 4600’s
My steering is tight and straight on

No mods stock. Dealer has truck at the moment. Tech came out looked and seen and felt movement shrugged his shoulders. To any of you who are Techs never tell a customer that this is normal and I guess we will look at it. Automobiles are 45,000 on average you expect that Dealer to have trained Techs who are eager to repair and fix issues. We live in a world of reviews. From what I see Techs of old are hard to find

 

[got3fords]

I'm curious how he discovered this issue. I mean, I don't think I ever have my hands in those positions simultaneously.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

I'm curious how he discovered this issue. I mean, I don't think I ever have my hands in those positions simultaneously.

Explanation: sitting in truck writing an inspection report. Lifted knee felt steering wheel moving. Put hands in 12&6 to move steering wheel. Felt play in wheel. Driving at 9&3 feel movement as well. Looking like ford certified technicians my not understand what is happening from the conversion with tech. I told them to go to ranger 5g every one here knows the problem

 

[dtech]

Could Ford have possibly "decontented" steering wheel feel in those positions ? I don't think many of us would notice the 12 and 6 o'clock, but I drive a "full contented" 2019 .

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