Power Steering/Adaptive Issue After Getting Truck Stuck

[Struck]

Good evening,

This afternoon I spotted a guy with his truck buried in the middle of a corn field in need of help. We've had a fair amount of snow here in Wisconsin and I would say this field was drifted around 1-1/2 to 2 feet maximum. Hooked up to him, 4 wheel engaged, locking differential engaged, and put truck into manual first gear. Got rope taunt and eased him out with minimal effort as his truck was able to drive, never any dead weight.

We leave the field and my truck starts to get buried in the snow on the way out, took some reverse, forward, reverse but even with throttle pinned the truck itself limited the power and slip. Seemed like electronically the truck was doing what the computer thought it should do. This was not a field beating baja moment whatsoever. But replaying what was going on there were some times where I had the wheel turned sharp to gain traction outside of the footprint my truck was making.

Got back onto solid ground, stopped and disengaged everything and hit the pavement in 2 wheel drive. Notice about 10 minutes later when I arrived at my shop I can't turn the wheel without force when at a stop - hear a whining noise as well from time to time when the wheel moves.

Fluid levels are spec, no leaks, checked undercarriage and all fuses relating to power steering, modules, and adaptive steering both under the hood and at passenger foot side.

Truck goes in for maintenance this Friday and they are aware I've lost power steering - just reaching out to those who are mechanically inclined to see if more damage could have been done above and beyond the steering?

Also, for those with more experience in this situation, what modes/4 wheel drive settings should a guy use. Was I wrong using differential, etc?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Phoenix]

Good evening,

This afternoon I spotted a guy with his truck buried in the middle of a corn field in need of help. We've had a fair amount of snow here in Wisconsin and I would say this field was drifted around 1-1/2 to 2 feet maximum. Hooked up to him, 4 wheel engaged, locking differential engaged, and put truck into manual first gear. Got rope taunt and eased him out with minimal effort as his truck was able to drive, never any dead weight.

We leave the field and my truck starts to get buried in the snow on the way out, took some reverse, forward, reverse but even with throttle pinned the truck itself limited the power and slip. Seemed like electronically the truck was doing what the computer thought it should do. This was not a field beating baja moment whatsoever. But replaying what was going on there were some times where I had the wheel turned sharp to gain traction outside of the footprint my truck was making.

Got back onto solid ground, stopped and disengaged everything and hit the pavement in 2 wheel drive. Notice about 10 minutes later when I arrived at my shop I can't turn the wheel without force when at a stop - hear a whining noise as well from time to time when the wheel moves.

Fluid levels are spec, no leaks, checked undercarriage and all fuses relating to power steering, modules, and adaptive steering both under the hood and at passenger foot side.

Truck goes in for maintenance this Friday and they are aware I've lost power steering - just reaching out to those who are mechanically inclined to see if more damage could have been done above and beyond the steering?

Also, for those with more experience in this situation, what modes/4 wheel drive settings should a guy use. Was I wrong using differential, etc?

Thanks for any insight!

I haven’t been up on the mountain in snow yet with my Loaded 6.7 Tremor. But over the last two winters I have pulled several trucks out of snow and ice packed ditches with my little four banger 2019 Ranger. I simply used the mud/snow setting under trail management and let the truck do all the figuring concerning hubs spead etc. I have not yet used those features on the Tremor but guessing they should be even better.

 

[Jay D]

This may be a silly question, but did you have traction control on? That will limit you when off road. As far as the steering goes, I’d start with a good washing underneath to make sure nothing is in a bind or a sensor of some sort isn’t obstructed.

 

[Struck]

This may be a silly question, but did you have traction control on? That will limit you when off road. As far as the steering goes, I’d start with a good washing underneath to make sure nothing is in a bind or a sensor of some sort isn’t obstructed.

Not a bad question, I did have have traction control turned off. I have washed the truck but I'm going to let everything thaw out in the shop tomorrow. I am leaning towards a sensor as well since you and others I've talked to said the same.

 

[Jay D]

Not a bad question, I did have have traction control turned off. I have washed the truck but I'm going to let everything thaw out in the shop tomorrow. I am leaning towards a sensor as well since you and others I've talked to said the same.

Here in Texas, everything stays thawed out ???

 

[Chris21667]

Not a bad question, I did have have traction control turned off. I have washed the truck but I'm going to let everything thaw out in the shop tomorrow. I am leaning towards a sensor as well since you and others I've talked to said the same.

traction control is never really off unless your in 4 low .... only way to really turn it off.... also i would have used 4 low to pull him out and used the mud mode as it also limits traction control as well ... this is what i use to pull jeeps out and other trucks a few times with the tremor and don't have traction control limit me

 

[Baddestt]

May have been a great opportunity for the Ford-Warn 12k winch!!

 

[Struck]

No good deed goes unpunished! I just wish when I got stuck I would have taken a second to think of what the truck is capable of and let it do the work. It never even crossed my mind to use one of the different mud/sand/ modes.

Learning experience for sure, as I came from a lifted 1500 Silverado which went through anything without doing anything but 4hi.

The weight of this tremor when not on solid ground is a whole nother' feel, and I panicked when I thought I was going to bury it.

 

[Chris21667]

No good deed goes unpunished! I just wish when I got stuck I would have taken a second to think of what the truck is capable of and let it do the work. It never even crossed my mind to use one of the different mud/sand/ modes.

Learning experience for sure, as I came from a lifted 1500 Silverado which went through anything without doing anything but 4hi.

The weight of this tremor when not on solid ground is a whole nother' feel, and I panicked when I thought I was going to bury it.

We are all learning together... That's why we are here to learn what others have and share our own experiences

 

[Struck]

Just an update. Visible leak coming from the hose fitting just below the power steering mechanism on the shaft in the engine bay. Let dealer know so they could order parts. Service was concerned as replacement parts are not showing as available....

We will see what happens tomorrow, I might just be wrastlin' the wheel for a bit!

 

[PapaRaptor]

Just an update. Visible leak coming from the hose fitting just below the power steering mechanism on the shaft in the engine bay. Let dealer know so they could order parts. Service was concerned as replacement parts are not showing as available....

We will see what happens tomorrow, I might just be wrastlin' the wheel for a bit!

fingers crossed you will get some needed parts asap!!!!

more snow today

 

[Caddy507]

Anybody else have a power steering issue like this?
I have had intermittent PS for a couple weeks now, just cant make it to the dealer.
Mine problem is very similar, feels like manual steering, everything looks fine but i will check it all again.

 

[MTmudrunner]

Does the fluid smell burnt?

 

[Caddy507]

does not smell burnt but was definitely low, below the min
checked when it first started and it was above the min
guess i need to take it in....
topped it off and still stiff, not to bad at first but trying to go lock to lock and it gets stiff, maybe a few drives with some sharp turns
Get it bled out if i did get some air in the system?