Ford F150 & Expedition Binding Sticky Steering Repair 

Dude the effort you put into getting these camera angles is insane. Knowing the common folk wastes most time situating the tool to do the job not knowing how the mechanic actually removes a bolt but with your videos it’s amazing. Thank you a million times

2004 F-150 here. Video is spot on regarding the diagnostics. After winter, developed sticky steering wheel. Just sprayed WD-40 on both shaft joints and as new.

I know it's an old video but the info contained is still very relevant. You were spot on with your diagnosis. I was ready to get a rack and pump until I watched this video. I was driving the other day and almost crashed while making a hard turn. I had to two-hand the steering wheel the rest of the way home and was panicking about not having a truck to drive until I figured it out. I've used your videos to help me with other issues I've had (IWEs, Ball joints, shocks, etc.) and found your diagnosing to be spot on. I was able to fix my steering in about an hour and saved a bunch in labor. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. Every f-150 owner should be subscribed to your channel.

Wow, FTM nicely done again. Every step is clearly shown and thoroughly explained. You even include links to the parts I need! Thanks for taking the time to get the tough shots nice and clear.

Dealer quoted me almost $400 to replace this shaft! So glad I found this video... Thank you for the tutorial!

Thanks man! I was just about to start digging into the hydraulics when i saw this video. Sprayed PB blaster on it and now its smooth again. I'm going to order a shaft soon. thanks for your effort.

You, sir, are awesome! I was about to try to change the power steering pump and rack & pinion. I stumbled across this video and you diagnosed this problem perfectly. Thank you!

This video helped me replace the steering shaft on my 03 Expedition yesterday. Steering is smooth once again. Loosening the rusty lower bolt was hardest part of the job. The extension was a great tip. Thanks for your help! Going to use your outer tie rods video next.

You saved me time and money, I can't thank you enough. Keep up the great work!

Thank you! You saved me hours of work. I was about to put in a new power steering pump and it wouldn’t have fixed my problem. $300 is ridiculous for this part but that smooth steering is worth it.

This video was absolutely 100% spot on. The advice, how to do it, what to watch for were all completely correct. My son and I changed the shaft on his 2010 F-150 in a hour this afternoon. Smooth steering restored. Thank you for a great video!!

Ford won't recall this even though they KNOW somebody could die from it, but thanks to honest techs like you, we can do it ourselves instead of paying Ford $450. Thanks!!

Thank you times 100 for this. Ford dealer said I had to replace the lower steering shaft on my 2006 f150. I just sprayed the joints really well with pb blaster and now no more binding. Works like new.

I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I have watched your videos and they have helped me out with step by step instructions. Keep up the good work!!

Super helpful as always. If you own Fords- this guy's videos are awesome

Thanks for the excellent video. In my opinion you and Eric O. of SMA produce the best mechanic repair videos on YT. You are somehow able to get excellent shots of out of the way places and your descriptions of the work are clear and easy to understand. It is also clear that you are a kick ass mechanic. I just replaced this shaft on my 2008 F150 following your instructions. I live in Canada, and the price for the part was really ridiculous, but I decided to go OEM rather than after market - as you point out - why would I want to cheap out on such a critical component. The Dorman product was about $100 cheaper, but my peace of mind is worth more than that - I bought the genuine Ford part (made in Lichtenstein!). It is hard to get that bottom u joint bolt out - but I positioned my ratchet and extension just as you instructed and eventually got it. The only thing I feel a little unsure about is the torqueing. It was so hard fitting my torque wrench in there I don't feel all that confident of the accuracy. I will check the bolts periodically. Another video said to use Never Seize - but I followed your advice instead and just cleaned up the nubs and sprayed everything down with brake cleaner. The best part was that my trucks steering is back to normal - nice and smooth. Thanks a million.

Had to fix mine just over a year ago, same complaint, steering would almost lock up, and then be fine, very unnerving to drive it that way. The hardest part was paying for the new shaft, sweet jesus it was expensive! Never sent a thanks for the knowledge you impart on us viewers, thank you Brian!

Going to do this tomorrow on my 2005 F150 5.4! Just did my passenger side upper and lower control arm, it's going to ride like new again! 221K and going!

Thank you, thank you! A million times THANK YOU! Not only do you link to the correct part on Amazon to fix the problem, but because I watched your whole video before the new shaft got here, I knew exactly what I was looking for, and all those little important details -- like tying off the steering wheel so it didn't free spin on me, and pointing out the grooves in the male ends of the upper shaft and the rack. I would have figured them out on my own soon enough if the bolts wouldn't go in, but you saved me the trouble. I have a 2005 F-150, and the steering was getting pretty stiff in the middle - even for me, and I'm a pretty strong guy - so I suspect I was getting close to the end of the shaft's life. The dealer estimated almost $400, but with as hard as it was to get the old one off, I suspect it would have ended up being more than that. FedEx dropped my new shaft off this morning, and by 1:00 this afternoon, I was taking a test drive with it all installed. My steering is as smooth as silk now, and I saved nearly $300 by not having the dealer install it. It was a little difficult to get the old shaft off, because everything was pretty badly rusted, and there's really no room to swing a hammer in there. Oh, the bolts came out with no trouble, but the shafts were stuck together. Luckily I have a pry bar that's small enough to fit inside the yoke, so I could pry against the end of the upper shaft. Once I finally got the old one off, the new one slipped on nice and neat, just like it was supposed to. Torqued the bolts down like you said (another bonus from watching the video), slapped the air intake back on, and off I went on my test drive. It felt like I was driving a totally different truck! Again, THANK YOU!

Changed mine in less then an hour. Ford dealer wanted $500. I bought the OEM part and saved $250. I did try to oil the old one it worked for a while but continued to stick. It was obvious that the old shaft was corroded and had issues that were not going to be fixed with lubrication. Thanks for the video and tips...great that you included the torq specs.

Sir, FordTechMakulloco, By watching your video here, it helped me so much from junking my perfect 2010 F 150 Lariat. I have replaced my rack and pinion and the hydro lines. I was just about ready to either change the pump or take it to a junkyard. I went out and checked the steering shaft and the lower U-joint is just shot all to pieces with grease everywhere. So I ordered a brand new part form my local Ford Dealership and replaced the shaft and now I've got my truck back. Thank you so much man!

Thanks, I did this today in about an 1 hr 15min. Taking out the air cleaner ducting made it easy to get to the lower bolt with out groveling on the floor. The top was harder to get off but using a screw driver to spread the slot and a long screwdriver to pound on the top. The bottom came off a lot easier. All done and back to smooth steering.

Thanks a million for this video man. Gave me the confidence to change the shaft on my 2010 F150 today. 👍👍👍

Thanks Brian for your great help. I was on the road and my steering kept getting worse, stopped at Home Depot bought PB Penetraiting Oil and got a quick fix until I get my replacement part.

Thanks for this dude! Had this binding phenomenon on a jaguar except it was in full lock meaning that it took two hands to get the steering wheel out of full lock. An interesting experience!!!

Great video! I just replaced my steering shaft on my 2007 Ford F150. Problem solved. That bottom bolt was hard to get to, but your tips helped. Thanks!

Thank you! I just purchased 2010 fx4 super crew about month ago.drove this weekend my streering sucked unless i was going down road.seen lots stuff about rack and bad pumps.lucky i came across this.we had lot snow an ice last week so made since when you said something about salt build up.wd-40 and worked perfect.thank you so much..

Just wanted to say “Thank You”. This video as with some of your others has saved me lots of time and money. I have found that your videos are high quality and very informative. Keep up the good work. “The DEVIL is in the details”. Owner 2009 Lincoln Navigator 128,000 miles & 2012 F150 Screw Platinum 64,000.

That was the best common sense ,(no bullshiting or wasting time about other things) explanation I've ever heard!!!! Thank you sir, I really appreciated your knowledge and expertise.

Everytime I have an issue your videos are always the solution! The most helpful Ford information in the world!! 2007 F150 spark plug issue, rear fpdm rots out, and now this steering shaft!

This was one of the first videos I watch of his. Little did I know at the time, his videos would save me a TON of money!!

This video was so helpful! My failed steering shaft manifested as a sticky on-center play which made the car awful to keep straight on the highway. I wasn't sure if it was the rack, this shaft or something in the steering column itself. Decided to try replacing it after I watched this video. After replacing it (I think the ones out there now are an updated design) it is now LIKE BUTTER with ZERO play. It's like driving a new car. Hopefully this is a helpful bit of additional advice: the original lower bolt on my '05 Expedition 4x4 was a 10MM head, but the new bolt that came with the new shaft was a 13MM head (but the threads were the same). The old 10MM was EXTREMELY hard to get out by hand without rounding off the head (hard to keep the steering truly locked as well), because it had been seized in there pretty well over time. I was able to use a few extensions on the bolt (facing forward), feed the extensions just under the radiator hose through the gap just under the radiator and actually crawl up under the front of the car with an impact to get the bolt out. Had to be super careful to make sure the socket was on the head (6-point socket is a must!) but once I got it lined up and impacted it, came right out. Slide hammer technique got the shaft out after a few whacks too! That lower bolt was a bastard, but otherwise a very straightforward job. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this video. I had to do mine today since I was having a lot of steering issues. Mine was a bit harder to get off due to the amount of rust on the vehicle. But overall this video was really helpful. Thanks again for the help.

paid 216 plus tax for the part from dealership and swapped it out in under an hour following the video and the problem is fixed! thank you brian for all your videos, always spot on!!

This might be the most informative, well executed instructional video I have ever watched. Well done!

Thanks for this video. During a long trip back home (700 + miles) the steering had this issue at low speeds only. It was binding to the left and right on a 2011 Expedition EL with almost 300k miles. Due to our concern for safety we made an emergency stop at Ford dealership in a major city and had to leave the truck there. They initially diagnosed and replaced the steering pump and rack & pinion and performed a steering fluid flush. The issue was still there and now they've placed a new lower steering shaft in. Hope this works. What you describe sounds exactly as what we experienced. Hopefully spending almost 3k will solve this problem. Shoukd have placed it on a transporter back to my own Ford dealership. Lesson learned!

Great video!!! Helped me tremendously!!! Mine was really rusted I had to jam a large screwdriver inside the old shaft and tap with a hammer to pop it free after removing bolts.

This is and has been great, thank you 10000 times over! Changes my serpentine and this started happening in my 2011, 5.0 f150. Shot the joints with some penetrating oil and good to go!

Many thanks Brian, this was very helpful, just replaced one with a friend on my Navi and steering is fine now. Just also added some graphite grease on U-joints

You are always so easy to understand and easy repairs. My 04 expedition has as many miles as this vehicle in your video lol. My steering is starting to stick and when I turn it does not want to come back or is notchy. I hope my problem is as easy as this. I flushed the fluid last year so I hope not a pump.

Thanks for the video! Helped me solve my problem. Only took about an hour to replace the shaft!

My 06 f150 xlt felt like the front wheels were locked in. Steering was stiff and I didnt realize it was intermittent depending on where the steering wheel was until I watched your video. About every 8th of a turn it would go tight to loose. I initially thought that the 4wd or front wheels were stuck locked in. Thanks again! You have saved me headache and aggravation once again

Thanks for the great video! My local shop quoted $440 for the part and $117 for the labor. I got the part from Amazon for $140, installed it myself and saved $400.

Sprayed WD-40 on my u-joints to confirm that this was indeed the issue. Binding went away for about 2 weeks and then slowly came back as the lube wore off. I have a 2010 F-150 and I ended up getting to the bottom bolt from underneath the truck. Wasn't the same room to work up top as the vehicle in the video. Turned the wheels just slightly to the left. Saved me about $2k that the dealer wanted to charge me to replace the whole steering system. 2010 F-150 steering shaft part number is: 8L1Z3B676A. Thanks for your video! Excellent work describing the symptoms and the fix.

Thank you for this video. I just put a rack in my buddy's 2009 Mountaineer and it at least has power assist now, but with the notchiness that I described to him as a sticking u-joint. 575.00 through my local stealership.

Dude - your tutorial video is wonderful. You explain the problem, show the tricks, and show how to change the part. Really - it's brilliant. I wish I had watched this before I just went through the hell of changing the power steering pump on my 04 F150 8Cyl 4.6L - though i did learn a ton. I still have a heavy-ish steering issue, which does bind at some points when driving.. and now you mention it, got worse since the weather got colder and doesn't make any strange noises. I will get one of these and try it out because it looks like an hour job.

This worked for my 2005 f-150. Here’s my story. I bought this truck used with 250,000km. Guy who sold it to me has the power steering pump replaced 4000km before I bought the truck so it’s brand new and professionally installed. There was no binding in the steering wheel, no bump/stop situation you had to force your way through. BUT, when idling or backing into and out of a parking stall where you would have to turn the wheel, it would sound like the power steering pump or steering rack was working real hard. It never was binding but it was working hard and I figured I’d try this steering shaft replacement out because I didn’t want to burn out another pump. I took the old shaft out and honestly I could swivel it in all directions (both ends) so I was sad that I was gonna replace a working part. I replaced it anyways because I had the part. It worked ! No more labouring steering pump ! Steering is so much smoother too. I live in Alberta Canada where we salt the living *^%# out of our roads so the corrosion must have still caused enough wear and tear that even though it wasn’t a seized part, it wasn’t working like it should have been. Needless to say, without an excellent video like this, I would not have thought about this fix. Thanks man! Also, in the fords, the lower rad hose is right in the way of the 10mm lower bolt. You can get it with a wrench but you’re gonna be cursing and cuttting up knuckles. It’ll work tho.

i live in the northeast and they use tons of salt on the roads in the winter. i give both ujoints a good soak with lubricant every year as maintenance.

Perfect video with perfect instruction. I'll be doing this soon on my 2012. Thanks!

one of the best 'how to' videos I've ever seen - ! Great work!

Great Video again. When I opened my shop 32 years ago I should have just did one make. Doing all makes and models as a independent shop these days is too much. Too much time spend researching TSBS and information to fix it. Like one make idea. Keep up the great videos

Thanks Brian, I did this replacement over the weekend, thanks for the great video!

Dude THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH SAVED ME BUNCH OF HEADACHE I had power steering pump on order After watching this video I quickly cancel the order Called local junk yard I got shaft for $35 issue is gone Thanks again

THANK YOU! From this vid I just finished today a successful swap out on my 2008 F150. Top and bottom i joints were stiff and one too had a little slop. Only thing I did different was bunjee my lower rad hose and got at the bottom bolt from under truck. Steering wheel turns like new! 👍

I was just watching this just to watch it and as it turns out my 2003 Ford Ranger Edge 3.0L RWD has an occassional binding and a quiet groaning in the steering, too. I never thought to look into the issue. Just as you mentioned in the video it isn't there in warm/hot weather. If I sit idling with mt A/C on or when it's chilly outside the binding/groaning becomes apparent. At one point I even thought that my new Energy Suspension sway bar bushings were the culprit, but I silicone greased the heck out of them when installed. Thanks for this.

Most excellent Video! I was test driving a truck and it had that feeling. Found your video and now I know what it is and how to fix it!! Thanks!!!

PB Blaster is awesome!sprayed some on the joints and problem solved. Thanks for the video. Really helpful. I have a 2005 ford f150 and had the problem with steering becoming stiff then good then back to stiff.

Same issue 2007 F150 , Great Video , Very helpful your saving a lot of DIY types a lot wasted efforts.. Bravo Zulu Bro!!

Man amazed every time I watch one of your videos. Wish you were local to me you’d have my business

Really like your step by step videos. Very informative. I am trying to watch every video. Best videos

Great job. Looking at purchasing a 2005 F150 and it has a stiff steering wheel.I feel confident I could do this change myself.

great video im doing this job tommorow on my 07 150 its at the point i need two hands to turn past the tough spots

Thank you! for making this video! Very helpful!

Thanks for the video. I'm doing my 04 150 this week

Just did mine....took about 1.5hrs..(outside in the snow). Went well except for the lower bolt.....lots of swearing.I’m glad you mentioned you used a 6 point socket...a 12 point wouldn’t do it. Thanks for the video. I can’t help but wonder how we fixed anything before the days of the internet.

I want to thank you for this video. My local Ford dealer quoted me more than $1000 to change the rack & pinion on my F150. I followed this video and found the steering shaft as the problem. I hour's work saved me about $700.

I was about to order a power steering pump ,then i found this video Went out to the truck ,sprayed it with PB blaster couple times and its smooth again Thank you

2006 f150 5.4 200,000mi - Turning the wheel makes this a breeze. Must have extensions and universal. Bottom bolt came right out as well as shaft. Top shaft and bolt was so corroded I had to pry shaft open once I removed bolt and it released. I had to pry open new bottom of shaft to reattach. Too easy. Hardest part was waiting for pb blaster to work. Once again thank you fordtechmakuloco

Just replaced the steering shaft in my 2003 Expedition. This video helped me to diagnose the problem and fix it. Saved a boat load of money. Thanks!

Bless you and family, I have own a Ford F-150, and you have save me a lots of money, learned a lot. Not sure 🤔 saying Build tuff back tuff. I will keep my 2005 f150 until it dropped dead, I am very disappointed in this product 🤣. Your videos are very in-depth.

Awesome Video brO!!! You are my absolute 'go to' whenever I have issues with my F150.

Dude you just saved me a ton of cash.. Damn dealer was insisting it was the classic steering gear morning sickness. I applied some wd40 stray to the two joints and it was like new again until the lube got washed away when rained.for sure I will be having it replaced this week..! Keep up the great video's..!

Thanks a million, I was all set to have a bunch of front end work done on my truck when I saw this video. I soaked both u joints with penetrating oil and the problem went away. Now I know I just need to replace the steering shaft.

Hey, I love your videos. Thanks for all the help. I’ve replaced my intermediate steering shaft, and all of my suspension components (tie rods inner and outer, stabilizer links, upper and lower control arms) and I still have some play in my steering wheel. It seems to be coming from where the steering column meets the steering shaft. Any ideas on where to look next?

There is an easier way to get to the bottom bolt if u have really long extensions. There's a hole in the front bumper mount that's perfectly inline with the bottom bolt then u can ratchet out side the front of the truck instead of contorting your self in there to get to it. Great video. Saved my self like 100$ in shop time. Doing this my self

Good Vid. This video proves its cheaper in most cases to have the car/truck fixed at the dealer because they work on these all the time and have the experience necessary to resolve the concern. Thanks for all the info!

Great video, helped me change my 04 F150. Appreciate it

Thanks for the video, I have 06 Ford Expedition, same issue. Will use lithium grease this weekend and let you know. I thought lubricating would be dangerous and would disconnect the joint.

Thanks bro. This video was a great help in understanding my 2003 expedition better. I guess lucky for me before I was going to spend the money to switch out the part I use WD-40 to see if it would help and it sure did my steering feels great no more binding. Thank you

Thanks guys. Solved my '09 exped steering issue.

Wish I would have found this about 45 mins ago before I started breaking my 04 expedition down for power steering pump. I didn't believe that was it since I saw fluid movement but this was great help.

Great video just replaced my steering shaft on 2006 Lincoln navigator today was pretty easy to do after I figured out how to get bottom bolt out found out coming from underneath the front of the truck with 6" extension was the trick which you probably said i just didn't hear it in the video so thanks another job done at home

Thanks for the video tutorial. Made doing the job simple with one exception. Instead of 8 or 9 pumps on the steering shaft to get the lower part off I had to do around 80. Then I had to go to the bottom side and I used a panel puller and a hammer. The panel puller gave me just the right angle to get at the underside of the joint so I could use a hammer. Now it is all cleaned up and I am waiting for new shaft to get here. Will update when complete.. again thank you.

You just saved me a shit ton of money. Thank you brother.

Excellent tutorial on diagnostic process and replacement.

ty for vid. you gave 2 different torques for top and bottom. Can you do this without torque wrench, just by hand . how important is that specific torque?

very helpful, having this problem on an f150 2007 that I just bought. you saved me a lot of time. thanks!

I believe this fix is in my future. What a great video! Well done

Very good video demonstration. I had quite a bit of yanking back and forth with Blaster oil and spreading the collar before it came out I think though the binding for me was where the telescoping arm moves up and down. I soaked it with Blaster and it moves pretty good. I'm going to see how long this lasts . I may just take it apart and wire wheel everything next time. Was that Amazon link you shared further down just for the 03-06 years? I have a 2008 4x4. Many thanks again

Great tutorial. My 04-08 started binding two weeks ago. My question is can this also be the cause of moderate steering wheel vibration within a week of experiencing the binding? Either way I'm planning on replacing the steer shaft. thank you.

After watching this video, I was able to fix my steering problem. I was fortunate that I did not have to replace this shaft. All I had to do was spray the U-joints with oil. After a day of rest, my steering loosened right up. Also, part of my problem was that after turning, I had to force the steering wheel back to go straight (as opposed to just letting go of the steering wheel and let it come back by itself).

I have a 2004 Freestar that had the same problem. Prior owner replaced everything but that joint. New pump, new ball joints, axels. A lot of money for such a cheaper fix!

very helpful. I'll spray the heck out of it and wait until it's a bit warmer ( 16 degrees ) is not fun to be working on a truck outside. Thanks for explaining it very clearly to us.

Hey man I gotta thank u. You are always on point with all your work and your description is great. You have saved me much loot by doing the work myself. Can't thank u enough. Do u plan on trip to East coast soon?

Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you. The mechanic called the rack... but after watching the video I pulled the shaft and the upper u joint was seized! Saved me a pile of cash!!

I think that's the problem I'm having on my Crown Vic right now . Thank you for showing us .

This guy is the man.

Do you recommend putting a multipurpose grease on these joints? Silicone spray lube? Thanks!

ive got the new shaft and I was wondering if I should pack axle grease around u-joints before i install it to prevent it from corroding again?