Two problems related to steering gear box sector shaft have been reported for the 2001 Ford F-350. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Sector shaft failure on a 2001 Ford F-350 superduty. Shaft separated while driving through a chuck hole in a gravel/mud parking lot. Failure did not result in a crash. Sector shaft was a 36 spline, 1-1/4" diameter. I have both ends of the shaft for inspection.
Steering gear sector shaft snapped while making a left turn, loss of steering caused the accident. Ford claimed the shaft break was due to the accident. I heard the shaft snap and had no steering before the collision with parked vehicle.