The steering wheel failed to return after cornering which made handling VERY awkward. I took the truck to a local Ford dealer and was told that the steering shaft had three joints that were becoming seized. The service manager told me the steering shaft had to be replaced and quoted me a very high cost. Furthermore, he did not have the parts in stock. As I was 200 miles from home, I went to a local hardware, b ought a can of Marvel Mystery Oil, a pump type oiler, and thoroughly saturated the joint on the shaft, which were barely accessible and worked the steering wheel. Things loosened up and I continued the oil soak until steering became normal. Why did Ford put out steering shafts without a rubber boot over the u-joints to protect them from corrosion? I have written to them and been informed that is is normal! Lousy steering is normal? The stiff steering poses a real danger. Bruce J

After having some problem with my steering on my 2004 F150, I had a local garage take a look. I was told it was probably the rack, so I picked one up for the garage to replace. After a few hours at the garage I recieved a call that it was not the rack, it was the steering shaft. They removed and cleaned and tried to grease no grease fittings but it seemed to work much better. This was in December of 2011 and I bought this vehicle brand new and have taken very good care of it. Move ahead now to September 2013. I started having the same problem with the steering, took it back to the same guy only for him to tell me it should be replaced and they now make an after market steering shaft. I bought the shaft made by doorman. The garage installed it, was much looser but now has about an inch of frre play in it and if I am on a rough road it just about jumps out of my hand and makes a very loud rattle. After my uncle contacted a friend at a local Ford garage, he found out that ford has manufatured 3 diferent steering shafts becaues of this issue but there is NO RECALL once again by Ford. What am I and all the other Ford owners that have this problem to do. I was told Ford will not recall anything unless it could cause death! Well I think that the steering is pretty dam important and if the wheel jumbs out of my hand and I kill myself in the crash or someone else, that thats pretty realistic! Ford what are you thinking? help those that help you when buying your product! This is my third complaint, other 2 where spark plugs and cam phasers. Ford please help us with your problems! Sincerely once again Keith Cook Grantsville Md