front end doing some odd things
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front end doing some odd things
Ok, so I have an of F350 cc dually, 4x4. Bought it used, it's never had the smoothest ride but it does its job, hauling a 6 horse trailer. Last summer the front tires were wearing funny, so I had them rotated. One person told me I needed new ball joints, another said shocks... never got a straight answer so I wasn't going to dump tons of money into the truck that I dont have. The tires are wearing ok now, but the front end feels almost loose? Bear with me, I'm not that educated when it comes to this stuff. Coming home last week I was going around a left turn on the highway and the truck almost felt like I hit a patch of ice and headed to the right. No ice anywhere, pavement was dry. Scared me enough that I haven't driven it since. I want to know if you all have any ideas what it could be before I take it anywhere so they don't try to screw me over. Our local ford dealer service department is run by a jacka$$ who thinks women shouldn't have a truck and brushes me off like I'm crazy when there is something wrong with it!
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 7
From: OR and UT
First off, welcome to FTE! 
Second, the problem could very well be both the shocks and ball joints. Ball joints are a common wear item on these trucks and will affect tire wear and handling. Worn shocks will not keep the tires in contact with the roadway and, when combined with worn ball joints, can cause loss of control just like you experienced.
Third, check out the New Hampshire area thread and see if anyone in your local area can point you to a reputable repair shop (Ford or independent).
Fourth, put your truck details in your signature line so we have an idea what your truck is, it will help with diagnostics. (See my sig below for example).
Fifth, got pics of your truck?
Second, the problem could very well be both the shocks and ball joints. Ball joints are a common wear item on these trucks and will affect tire wear and handling. Worn shocks will not keep the tires in contact with the roadway and, when combined with worn ball joints, can cause loss of control just like you experienced.
Third, check out the New Hampshire area thread and see if anyone in your local area can point you to a reputable repair shop (Ford or independent).
Fourth, put your truck details in your signature line so we have an idea what your truck is, it will help with diagnostics. (See my sig below for example).
Fifth, got pics of your truck?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 24
From: Houston
I would start by crawling under the truck and doing a visual and hands on inspection of the front steering/suspension components. Just looking at them and trying to wiggle them could tell you a lot. I found a broken (in half) track bar on my truck this way. It darted on the highway enough to scare me and I immediately got home and crawled under it. You find that it is something obvious even if you aren't a trained mechanic.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Cornerstone
I had a similar problem last year. I thought that the steering box or power steering pump was bad. The truck would jerk you right across the center line of the road. It would act like it was going to fight you at the wheel and then the wheel would turn and jerk out of my hand. It ended up being the U joints on the front axle. They where frozen up, causing binding. Could be your problem.
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Just read my first post... nice job on my phone using of instead of 05... sorry! I had someone else drive the truck today and it did nothing out of the ordinary until we got on the highway and it had a vibration, but did nothing else. Someone is coming to look at it tomorrow, he said something about the panhard bar. Nothing seems loose as far as tie rods, u-joints, etc but again, there was 3 inches of water in my driveway today and I wasn't exactly laying on the ground to get a good look.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
f350girl,
Not sure what part of NH your from but if you still need help, check out Sullivan tire. Go to their web and see if they have a location near you. They are very well experienced on trucks. I use them for my alignments. They can do a diagnose on your truck if need be.
The Panhead or track bar could cause this if the bushings are worn but i wouldn't suspect it on your 05 until i exhausted all other items. How were the tires wearing before you rotated? Is the truck lifted, larger tires or stock?
Give us some more info like mileage and previous maintenance if known.
Not sure what part of NH your from but if you still need help, check out Sullivan tire. Go to their web and see if they have a location near you. They are very well experienced on trucks. I use them for my alignments. They can do a diagnose on your truck if need be.
The Panhead or track bar could cause this if the bushings are worn but i wouldn't suspect it on your 05 until i exhausted all other items. How were the tires wearing before you rotated? Is the truck lifted, larger tires or stock?
Give us some more info like mileage and previous maintenance if known.
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Thread Starter
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New User
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I have no idea of previous maintenance. Its got 131,000 on it. Tires were wearing with uneven low spots ..not sure how to describe it. I haven't had to do anything to it and everything is stock with 17 inch wheels. I forget the exact tire size. Hopefully after this guy looks at it tomorrow I will get a straight answer and can get it taken care of.
