STEERING PROBLEM??

Asked by GeorgeJ Aug 05, 2010 at 09:59 AM about the 2003 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My son was driving who is 31. The steering pulled real hard to the left and he couldn't turn the wheel back to the right. Went off the road and hit a cement embuckment and then a house. Front wheels are torn off and drive train is ripped apart. Anyone else have any thing like this or know what could cause this. It's ripped up so bad we can't tell what may have broke to do this.

8 Answers

could have been a worn out tie rod that broke,a ball joint,or if he was breaking the calaper could have stuck causeing it to turn on him.

130

My son also has power steering problems on his 1996 Ford Expedition, I thought that it was the power steering unit and needed to be flushed? But after 300.00 and a new power unit, problem still there? Anyone have any suggestion? My son is still driving with no power steering....

13 people found this helpful.
60,305

@ GeorgeJ- sounds like tie rod snapped or a ball joint went, that will cause complete loss of steering and if your son is ok he is lucky. @AC510- Is a power unit a new pump or steering gear? i dont believe there is a part called power steering unit. Pumps will make a whineing or whirring noise when they are going out of low on fluid.

3 people found this helpful.
30,465

Possible that the key somehow got turned off ( big problem at GM) and the wheel became locked?

1 people found this helpful.
23,590

This is a FORD Expedition 2003. The steering "pulled" to the left so something "turned the wheel" But there were houses nearby, so the speed limit was like 40 at the most, right ? Why did he not stop before leaving the roadway ? and what was his actual speed ? were alcohol and drugs involved ? Perhaps they grabbed his hand while he was passed out behind the wheel? Just saying that to have some sort of pull and yet be unable to brake, shut it off, apply the parking brake gradually ? and still hits someone's house ? You should review the evidence and report from the police for a few clues. inspect the vehicle for concerns with litter and paraphenalia. There may even have been the smell of alcohol in the vehicle noted on the report. I have not heard of a failure of that type that was not explained by driver error.

2 people found this helpful.
23,590

Let's say there was also a mechanical failure, a tire lost its air rapidly? A steering part broke bad enough for the one wheel to turn? He could still brake and leave evidence of trying to stop. Even freaked and operating on instinct only? he would have stepped on the brake. From 40 mph. Yeah, gotta go with not awake.

1 people found this helpful.
23,590

What is an embuckment ? anyway. Is that when someone throws a large male Deer through your windshield ? Or did the Deer wake up and bite him on the neck ? He should have just let the Deer have his turn in the phone booth, and drove off.

1 people found this helpful.
30

Well, Dannyl.... You're a clown and shouldn't comment. GeorgeJ... It seems like the rack and pinion lost pressure to one side and that is why he was unable to turn the wheel the opposing direction. All the pressure from the pump was going directly to one side of the "rack". Even a stout feller wouldn't be able to pull it back. AC510... Power steering consists on a steering box, pump, and rack and pinion. Hoses move the fluid threw the components. One of these components have failed. Look for fluid leaks amd change that component. It will take a few miles of use to work the air out after the part has been replaced. Keep an eye on your fluid level. Displacement will accure when the air works it way out to the reservoir. Fill as needed then it'll stay at proper level in the reservoir. DO NOT OVER FILL.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Expedition

Looking for a Used Expedition in your area?

CarGurus has 22,064 nationwide Expedition listings starting at $1,650.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Ford Expedition

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Larry Sturgis
    Reputation
    5,240
  • #2
    T_S_T
    Reputation
    4,540
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    2,710
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,040 Great Deals out of 19,475 listings starting at $2,500
Used Chevrolet Suburban
616 Great Deals out of 12,403 listings starting at $2,588
Used Lincoln Navigator
213 Great Deals out of 7,600 listings starting at $4,795
Used Ford Explorer
2,262 Great Deals out of 63,225 listings starting at $1,000
Used GMC Yukon
668 Great Deals out of 10,931 listings starting at $2,600
Used Ford F-150
6,021 Great Deals out of 127,344 listings starting at $1,995
Used GMC Yukon XL
391 Great Deals out of 9,219 listings starting at $900
Used Toyota Sequoia
147 Great Deals out of 3,617 listings starting at $2,999
Used Cadillac Escalade
384 Great Deals out of 6,375 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,144 Great Deals out of 18,851 listings starting at $3,199
Used Nissan Armada
323 Great Deals out of 7,806 listings starting at $2,500
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,434 Great Deals out of 41,335 listings starting at $3,995
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,097 Great Deals out of 130,276 listings starting at $2,995
Used Cadillac Escalade ESV
194 Great Deals out of 3,618 listings starting at $3,995

Used Cars For Sale

2024 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD For Sale
1,320 listings starting at $54,521
2023 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD For Sale
11 Great Deals out of 90 listings starting at $50,999
2022 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD For Sale
22 Great Deals out of 153 listings starting at $35,991
2021 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD For Sale
13 Great Deals out of 165 listings starting at $26,490
2020 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD For Sale
24 Great Deals out of 241 listings starting at $23,988

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.