hard steering with snow plow in up position - Diesel Forum

Capt. Caper · 12-31-2001, 04:03 PM

I have a 8 ft. Fisher plow on the 5.4 SD Super Cab, when the plow is in the up position and I'm stopped and go to turn the wheel, as when you might be parking, the wheel won't turn or turns very hard. I have to get the truck creeping forward to start it turning. When the plow in down or off the truck all is pretty good. Although sometimes I think the steering still turns hard also.
Does anybody else have a similar setup to compare notes?

Fordhipo · 12-31-2001, 05:04 PM

I've got a 01 F350 SD 4X4 super cab V-10 with an 8' western plow, I have noticed that certain times my steering will lock up when I come to a stop and then try and turn while still bound up. If I release the brakes and let the truck relax it seems to steer ok, about the same without the plow on.

Ken

P.S. Good thing you mentioned you were coming over here to post, was going to reply over there but dont want Smokey to have to smack my peepee

FMTRVT · 12-31-2001, 06:02 PM

The scrub radius of the front axle is too high and the pressure necessary out of the pump is excessive for standard pumps to overcome it. The design setup is marginal with a heavy load on the front end, whether it is a snow plow or PSD engine.

Darn, typed the PSD. Now I gotta repost this in the other area.....

Manx · 12-31-2001, 06:55 PM

I've got a 8' western poly pro plow on mine (5.4)
and yes it's like manual steering till you get the truck rolling
never really thought about it to much
I just get the truck rolling before turning the wheel
I think it's just allot of weight on the front end
where lucky the diesel crowd has a extra 600 to 700 hundred pounds up there with the same springs
and there brake system runs off of the power steering
the gassers use vacuum

Capt. Caper · 01-01-2002, 07:11 AM

so taking the foot off the brake won't help us. One mate said to shim the power steering pressure valve. I wonder what thats about. I never heard of that.
I know it's not a big deal, boy, I would off though that would of been covered, I don't think it would need much more pressure to do the job. But maybe the steering would be to easy with out the plow on. That might be a problem.

Manx · 01-01-2002, 09:11 AM

Well if you find a cure,
Be sure to let the rest of us plow people what it is
every thing is fine with out the plow
and with the plow it's just when standing still
I've already gotten used to just rolling the truck to turn

Capt. Caper · 01-01-2002, 12:51 PM

thanks guys for the input, I don't think i'll bother hooking up the plow and going in to the dealers about it I think it would be a waste. I have to have a lube and oil change also so I'l tell em what I'm experienceing and leave it at that for now. From what everybodys saying theres nothing we can do about it for now.
The 8 ft. Fisher does weigh close to 750 lbs. extra when put on. But actually it weighs close to 1000 lbs. with everything. 200 lbs. + or - stays on all the time in the form of a push plate and wiring harness's. And when lifted it acts as more I would guess being out in front a few feet. I'm going to keep the tires up to max pressure, 80 psi.

Chainsaw6 · 01-01-2002, 01:01 PM

I was running my front tires at 40 psi but noticed the steering problem, I raised psi to 50 and it was better.

I do have a question! If us gassers are the underdogs here, do our hits on the site advertisers not get recorded?:O)

Capt. Caper · 01-03-2002, 06:54 AM

Well, I did a chech, I think Wombat suggested and it's true. If when I'm stopped and with my foot on the brake, the steering is hard. When I release the brake the steering gets easyier. That's without the plow, so with the plow I would think it would be similiar.

Johnny96 · 01-08-2002, 10:36 PM

The PSD SD's might use a hydroboost for the brakes, but the older body-style trucks don't: My 1992 has a standard booster, with a belt-driven vacuum pump.

I can turn the steering wheel with my plow (8' Fisher) up & the truck not moving, with no trouble.

A tip for ANYONE who plows (or has a winch, or goes off-road) is to add a steering fluid cooler.

Midori · 01-09-2002, 09:41 PM

I had the same problem with my 9ft western. I ask around and called the dealer and they all said to run at MAX Pressure cause of the weight. I guess you should do that also if you carry alot of weight in your back. My pressure was factory, so I bump it up to 80 and all good.