Steering locks up on right bends when car leans to left

[Saz]

Hi,
I’m a newbie on here so please be gentle…
Have a 2019 ranger and notice on slow long right bends and roundabouts the steering wheel seems to lock up / feels sticky and doesn’t automatically return to neutral. Always on right corners and not left ones. Normally at slow / mid speeds when a gentle lean to the left. Feels quite off putting!
Lane assist is set to warn only.
Is this a thing?
has anyone experienced it?

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[AzScorpion]

First off welcome!

Have you tried turning Lane Assist off? If not turn it off completely and see if that helps. You might be riding the side line and the the L/A is supposed to "tug" the wheel back straight so that might be what you're feeling. Personally I don't like the L/A especially on surface streets. I found it has a hard time when a lane merges (from 2-1) and you have to fight the wheel at times. If I use it at all it's only be on highway driving,

Otherwise just make left turns. lol Sorry I couldn't help that one. ?

 

[Synfulz]

If Dave's suggestion doesn't fix. Look for uneven tire wear on right side. Maybe a mechanical issue with alignment. Just a thought.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Sounds like you have no caster. Might want an alignment check.

 

[ControlNode]

I have not, I've put almost 30k on my 2021 Ranger, even taking some corners at "excessive" speed. I've never had an issue with the steering feeling like it is binding up. Perhaps you are just going too fast and it's not lane assist fighting you, but some part of the stability control. You could also try holding the stability/traction control, 10 seconds I think, to fully disable that and see if there is any change. If the problem persists, it's very likely a mechanical issue, alignment, something off with the front drive system (if 4WD). It the problem goes away with stability/traction disabled, slow down even more for those corners.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Hi,
I’m a newbie on here so please be gentle…
Have a 2019 ranger and notice on slow long right bends and roundabouts the steering wheel seems to lock up / feels sticky and doesn’t automatically return to neutral. Always on right corners and not left ones. Normally at slow / mid speeds when a gentle lean to the left. Feels quite off putting!
Lane assist is set to warn only.
Is this a thing?
has anyone experienced it?

It sounds like an old school hydraulic PS that's low on fluid. It might be a problem with the controller that governs the variable steering effort.

Start easy & cheap:

• Ensure that 4WD is not engaged. If 2WD, Ford did that already
• Disable lane keeping assist & traction control completely as has been suggested: Fixed? No? -
• Tires wearing evenly? a four wheel alignment is always a good idea when you get new tires, whether or not it corrects the problem. Should be $150-200. some places less if you are buying tires there also. No? -
• Take it in to the dealer. probably a voodoo ware problem with stuff that is beyond me

 

[Wang.S]

I don't think you have a fancy gadget fault, I'm thinking its mechanical.
Either in the steering control itself, or in ball joints or whatever.

 

[SigOris]

Hi,
I’m a newbie on here so please be gentle…
Have a 2019 ranger and notice on slow long right bends and roundabouts the steering wheel seems to lock up / feels sticky and doesn’t automatically return to neutral. Always on right corners and not left ones. Normally at slow / mid speeds when a gentle lean to the left. Feels quite off putting!
Lane assist is set to warn only.
Is this a thing?
has anyone experienced it?

if it’s a new to you Ranger check to see if you have incorrect tires or wheels

 

[Moondog450]

Hi Saz, mate have you had any luck with it yet? My 19 XLT does exactly the same thing. Lane assist off, wheel alignment perfect, just get it in that particular right hand turn, like you said a roundabout or sweeping right hand bend, and it just won't come back. Be so keen to hear if you've had a fix for it. Cheers.

 

[liam1810]

Hi, did you ever resolve this? Thanks

 

[Friday yet?]

Don't expect a response/update from Saz. He participated in the forum all of a few days total.

 

[Fox117]

Hi Saz, mate have you had any luck with it yet? My 19 XLT does exactly the same thing. Lane assist off, wheel alignment perfect, just get it in that particular right hand turn, like you said a roundabout or sweeping right hand bend, and it just won't come back. Be so keen to hear if you've had a fix for it. Cheers.

Hi MoonDog, did you find the cause? I've got the same issue, turning right only...

 

[Fox117]

Hi, did you ever resolve this? Thanks

Hi Liam, did you find the cause? I've got the same issue, turning right only...

 

[airline tech]

Well, this issue can be a number of things - be it the EPAS Gear (Internal) binding or dry / worn suspension parts (binding when in turns) under a load.

But I suspect something that might be overlooked, and that is the (RF) Hub Bearing
binding up and holding the steering wheel in the Right-Hand Turn
The rolling resistance is increased, and it will tend to pull to the side with the binding bearing.

Best thing to do is get into a (OPEN) parking lot and test (In Turns) and listening for abnormal noises.
or
Get a Digital Thermometer, perform about 10 sharp (circle) turns - in each direction and take the temps of both hubs - note if one has a large temperature difference. (Hotter)

Gerneral T-Shoot of Steering Issues (Most Common) Noted Warning Signs in (Turns)

A bad hub bearing - will generate a roaring noise
A bad CV Joint - will make a clicking noise
A bad Ball-Joint - will make a popping / hard metallic thud
A bad Tie Rod - will make the steering wheel rock/bounce - vibration feel in the steering wheel

I do not have any hands-on experience with (Elec Steering - EPAS) as a Hyd PS, would show issues by the Pump Noise (Pulsing) for old school Racks.
But there are various input sensors that tie into it, steering angle, torque sensors - internal to the EPAS.
Then you have (Stability Control) that is using multiple accelerometer sensors in RCM (Restraint Control Module) that is looking at body roll, in a turn it is also looking at inputs from the steering angle and has the ability to apply (pulse) brake pressure automatically to the brakes
(In a right-hand turn) the Outside Wheel is spinning faster than the Inside Wheel, so the Left is spinning faster than the Right.

What may be happening is that the system is applying brake pressure to the (Outside) wheel thinking it is in an Uncontrolled State - if this is happening the truck will pull to the right as it trying to correct the out-of-control wheel.
So, for this instance (if correct) will tie into the ABS Module (sensor inputs) or the RCM (Restraint Control Module - where all the Accelerometer Sensors Live

One other note - the steering wheel has a shaft connection point that can sometimes stick when they wear out - similar to a U-Joint

Just some operational - noted thoughts on this issue and possible causes other than alignment - which would be noted (on straight) roads as well in normal lane changing inputs.
So, this issue ties into something else.

 

[Msfitoy]

OP...is your truck higher on the right side?

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