2005 Ford F-450 SD, 2005 Ford F-550 SD Recall: ON CERTAIN CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE SOME GEARS WITH…

The defect

ON CERTAIN CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE SOME GEARS WITH A GEAR PISTON THAT WAS ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT RE-CIRCULATING BALL TUBE RETAINER. AN INCORRECT RETAINER MAY RESULT IN AN IMPROPERLY RETAINED RE-CIRCULATING BALL TUBE, WHICH MAY NOT KEEP THE RE-CIRCULATING BALLS IN PLACE DURING STEERING GEAR ACTUATION.

The risk

IF THE RE-CIRCULATING BALLS BECOME DISLODGED A VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE NOISE AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORTS THAT MAY EVENTUALLY PROGRESS TO IMPAIRED STEERING OR POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR FOR A SPECIFIC DATE CODE AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AT 1-800-392-3673.

FORD RECALL NO. 05S30. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.