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Anonymous Posted on Sep 01, 2011

I have a 97 ford thunderbird lx 4.6 and the steering wheel wont return to center on its own no resistance at all is there a way to fix? steering is kinda hard and at high speeds it seems to take its own path rather then follow the road

  • Anonymous Sep 02, 2011

    car seems to drive pretty straight tho could alingment still be out?
    thx for your advice!

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  • Posted on Sep 01, 2011
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Front wheels could be out of alinement, it is the castor angle that returns the wheel to the center.

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  • Anonymous Sep 02, 2011

    Yes it could still be out. Check for unusual wear on the tires.l

  • Anonymous Sep 05, 2011

    no wear at all on tires suspension shop said might be my ball joints seized but rides really nice also my power steering pump started whinning after i swapped fluid i wonder if its my pump thats goin or something put on to tight (ie.tie rod ends or balljoints)

  • Anonymous Sep 05, 2011

    If the pump is making noises maybe you should check the hydraulic pressure or change the pump.
    I expect the ball joints ar none greaseable but you could perhaps lubricate them with an oil can.

  • Anonymous Sep 07, 2011

    thx for ur advice gonna check out the alingment tommorow and probly swap water pump and ps pump this weekenk from my parts car ... appreciate everything let u know how it gows

  • Anonymous Sep 07, 2011

    OK, thanks for that. Hope everything comes right for you.

  • Anonymous Sep 07, 2011

    just go back from the alinement shop everything is good ie balljoints, tierod ends ,and the stiffness is comin from the rack .the caster was bang on as was rest of alinement so im going to attempt to swap the rack from my parts car this weekend seems pretty easy two bolts and the tie rods then back to the alinement shop lol thx again i appreciate the help!!!!!

  • Anonymous Sep 08, 2011

    Sounds like you may have found the problem. There is no easy way to lubricate racks but they do not give many troubles.

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  • Posted on Jan 08, 2012
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It is going to be your power steering motor. I had the same problem, no return to to center, hard to turn, started making a grinding noise on right turns. I did all kinds of different things to try and make it work. Some things (calipers), alighment made it better, but it will be your motor to cure it. Good luck.

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