2000 Explorer when cold the steering wheel a bit stiff off center.

BillRod · May 15, 2011

Hi All

Just bought a 2000 Explorer yesterday when it was 60 degrees.
This morning it was 36 degrees and the steering wheel was a bit stiff only when moving it off center, it caused the wheel to jerk just a bit when starting a turn.

Once the engine warmed up and the heat came on and everything inside warmed up it steered smooth with no issues.

Is this a common thing for these trucks?

Thanks

Earl43P · May 16, 2011

Might just have some air trapped in the system.

My 2000 ranger had the opposite problem.
Its steering got notchy and developed play after it warmed up.
It needed a new rack/pinion, which I replaced.

Since it's new to you, look at the rack's inner tie rod end boots for evidence of leakage.

What Ford did was make those boots so that any fluid that leaks past the rack seals gets trapped in the boot and suctioned back into the system. They realized that all rack seals leak "some" so they captured the fluid back into the return line.

I'm guessing yours has a boot leak.
PO let the PS fluid (ATF) get so low that it sucked air and made noise, then topped off the reservoir before getting rid of it. Just a guess.

I'd suck out all the old fluid and top it off with synthetic ATF, drive a day or so and repeat until you've cycled through a full quart.

If you do find a ripped boot, they are about $30. You have to take off the OTR to replace it, but it's an otherwise easy job. Just make sure you get that low point drain properly aligned before you zip tie it back on.

2000 Explorer when cold the steering wheel a bit stiff off center.

BillRod

15+ Year Member

Earl43P

15+ Year Member

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