One problem related to steering pinion shaft has been reported for the 2004 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2004 F-150.
In low speed and high speed turns, power rack and pinion, the steering becomes very stiff causing the vehicle to turn hard, feels like the truck has manual steering. This issue is most common on slow speed however I have encountered the issue at highway speeds. Research I have done indicates this is an issue, backed by a member of a local Ford dealership service dept, of a failure of the universal on the lower steering shaft. The part # for the replacement part is as follows. . . #8l32-3b676-b. Ford dealership does not have a recall on this yet, I'm a deputy sheriff who has knowledge of Ford recalling the same type part on the Ford police interceptors which we currently use in our fleet. This loss of steering control is very severe.