2023 Gen3 37PP-steering wheel thumping/tapping feeling.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

NJ2020

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Posts
585
Reaction score
833
Location
Twin Cities
I can’t remember where I saw it but someone had a video of some vibration/taping in the steering wheel that would happen at the same spot on their daily commute, below a certain temp, and only in 2wd (or some weird combination of things, can’t remember exactly).

Ended up being an issue with the front differential that corresponded with the computer initiating a diff warm up strategy, I guess it occurs on initial drives at exactly 5 miles or something. Wish I could find where I saw it, someone had some time into it to figure it out.
 
OP
OP
JDMCTR00

JDMCTR00

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2023
Posts
146
Reaction score
101
Location
Los Angeles,CA
I can’t remember where I saw it but someone had a video of some vibration/taping in the steering wheel that would happen at the same spot on their daily commute, below a certain temp, and only in 2wd (or some weird combination of things, can’t remember exactly).

Ended up being an issue with the front differential that corresponded with the computer initiating a diff warm up strategy, I guess it occurs on initial drives at exactly 5 miles or something. Wish I could find where I saw it, someone had some time into it to figure it out.
I’d like to see that.
 
OP
OP
JDMCTR00

JDMCTR00

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2023
Posts
146
Reaction score
101
Location
Los Angeles,CA
I picked up my truck from Ford on 01/22/24 after replacing the entire steering column(which I knew would not fix it). The shop foreman told me it's all taken care of and no more thumping. I took it for a test drive and went right back to the dealer. The issue was still present. They are going to contact Ford and schedule a Ford rep. to come down. The truck sat for a week at the dealer from 01/08/24 to 01/15/24 even though I had an appointment. They didn't start on the truck until the middle of the second week. I'll wait until Ford send a rep. down.
Just to clarify this post and the parts replaced:

NL3Z 3C529 E - Column Assembly - Steering​

ML3Z 3E751 B - Shaft Assembly - Steering​

With required nuts/bolts/washers needed for those parts.

I'm still waiting for my Field Service Engineer appointment.
 
OP
OP
JDMCTR00

JDMCTR00

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2023
Posts
146
Reaction score
101
Location
Los Angeles,CA
Here are two separate issues that has started after the replacement of the steering column. With slight movement of the steering wheel I have a rattle. It’s coming from behind the steering wheel and in front of that two piece plastic cover. If I hold down that two piece cover it stops. The turn signal and that whole two piece black plastic cover moves.
View attachment IMG_1604.mov

View attachment IMG_1603.mov


I love the truck. It just needs to get fixed lol. I have pin pointed the issue for the thumping/tapping down to the rack or the lower steering shaft(which was replaced once already). Since it's heat related, I believe it's either the lower shaft heating up and binding or the rack itself is loosening up inside from the spring tension on the guide(having the whole steering gear inside thump/tap).

When the truck is cold or cooled down the shaft coming out of the rack has much less movement (hardly any) when moving the joint at the connection from the steering shaft coming out of the firewall to the lower shaft. This is all with literally two fingers and hardly any pressure.

When the truck is at operating temp. and about 5 miles in, I start feeling the thumping/tapping. I park the truck and check the shaft at that connection joint, I hear and feel the thump/tap. I sit back into the truck, hold the steering wheel and have my friend move the shaft the same way and I feel the thump/tap. Once the truck cools down it won't do it anymore. The steering shaft joint will move but won't thump or tap.

I want the tech at the dealer and the Ford field service engineer to let me explain and show them what I have diagnosed myself.

I'm going to try and record this thumping/tapping from the shaft area under the hood and post it up.
 
Last edited:

GCATX

King Dingaling
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Posts
9,145
Reaction score
26,147
Location
Central Texas
It would be cool if someone could lay hands on a new one, not installed, and see if it behaves the same.

So, it doesn't do it when cold?
 
Top