Hey guys I have a problem and wanted to see if any of you have experience with this. Here is what I got:

2 month (4800 miles... I drive alot) old F250 with FabTech 6" lift with long radius arm option. 35" Toyo open country tires on 19" wheels. All of this was dealer installed with less than 600 miles on the truck.

1st issue started at about 2000 miles. I metalic "thump" sound when you go over a curb or bump. Also the steering wheel was off center about to the 4 o'clock position (if that makes sense) and the truck was pulling to the right. I took it in and they attempted to fix it.

When I picked it the steering wheel was off the other direction to the 7 o'clock position and the truck was leaning down on the driver front by almost 2". The "thump" sound was still there. They couldn't get it to align and they ordered an ecentric (sp?) for the front end. Biggest problem was the "play" in the steering. You could go left if you turned the wheel but there was about 3" of dead space before it would give right steering input to the wheels.

Took it back in and they decided the lean required a new set of coils from FabTech (even though the tech at FabTech I talked to didn't think that was the problem). So I brought it back to them a week later for the install... this took them 2 1/2 days and the service rep (very nice lady) said it was kicking the tech's a--. She had one of their senior techs working with him to fix the issues. The steering issue turned out to be the track bar as I had mentioned to the tech... done a few lifts in my time and learned this one awhile ago.

When I finally got it back, it pulls to the right pretty hard. The steering wheel is centered and the thump is gone. There is a "groan" now when you turn the wheel in a parking lot... (my co-workers asked me what was wrong with my brand new million dollar truck... not fun)

Bottom line: this is not a new truck to the market and this is not a new lift by FabTech (my first from them) which is, by all accounts, a good company, so what is the deal? Has anyone else had similar problems and if so did you find a solution? What was it? The tech and dealership claim they have done plenty of these so... at this point it's alot of money for a truck that drives worse than the one it replaced.

Thanks in advance.

Brad

 

You might want to contact Fab tech as none of your issues are known to be a problem with the stock truck. I think your issues may be with the people installing the lift. You might look for a fab tech recommended mechanic in your area to get a better grasp on your problems...

 

Ya I think you're right. I asked the dealer if they were planning on contacting FabTech for help with the problems. According to FabTech, they don't have "authorized" installers in this area... or at all... not sure about that.

Just kinda crazy that this lift and truck have been around for awhile and, as far as I know, without major issues like this... guess I'll keep trying to get it right.

 

Check if the dealer has the right equip to align those bigger tires. I know the dealer where I live won't do it because they don't align lifted trucks regularly. Try a suspension specialist that can help you.

Aloha,
Kaipo

 

You might post your location so we can see if there is a better shop in your area. I would recommend calling 4 wheel parts wholesalers and talk with one of their techs, they are about as good as they get and can make some suggestions for you. Around here some Les Schwab tire centers do the lifts and all required aligning... I have lifted all of my previous vehicles and never had any problems, (I installed all of the lifts myself see list below), my guess is that they may have gotten the wrong pitman arm for your lift. These trucks have a solid front axle and the lifts are very simple compared to the independent ones I have done.

 

Moved to SD section.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'll try to call 4 wheel parts whlsl later today. The dealership claims they can align it but FabTech suggested I find a Les Scwabb (sp?) here. I'm in Boise ID.

ENOMRA - like you I did most of my lifts myself. I rolled this package into the price / loan on the new rig so... At this point I'm glad they did it so they will fix it but thinking a little that if I had done it I might not have these problems... not that I'm a certified machanic or anything but I have done lifts on tougher suspensions (including a Stage II Procomp coil conversion on my Jeep) without issue.

Doesn't sound like this is common in the forum so makes me think its the dealership... I mean, new springs, bad caster angle, lose track bar, non centered steering wheel... these aren't the kinda thing you expect from pros... right?

Other than this issue I love the truck and like the dealership and their desire to fix it.

 

UPDATE: So I took it to a local 4x4 shop (Buck's) that really knows what they are doing... 15 minutes on the rack and they had it figured out. They can fix the alignment but have to replace the track bar bushing. Turns out it has suffered from all the lame original set up. So to date that means they wll have replaced: front springs, caser adjusters, and now a track bar bushing. and the truck has almost 5000 miles!!!

thanks for the input and I'll let you know if the saga continues.

BTW, The guys at Fabtech were GREAT! Their tech guys had me fax the spec sheets from the dealership alignments and they had some ideas about where to take it for help. Really makes you feel good about the way they back their products.