2011 steering popping noise
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Youngsville, LA
2011 steering popping noise
I have a 2011 F250 4x4 with 8000 miles. I put a 3.5" ReadyLift on it at 3500miles and Rancho dual stabilizers at 5000miles. This past week I've started to noticed my truck's steering making slight popping noises when turning the steering wheel. I crawled under the truck today and I can't pin point the orgin of the noise. It seems it is coming from higher up in the steering system possibly. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience this before? It doesn't seem to be from the wheels or tie rod.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Youngsville, LA
I've been doing some research and came across this mechanic guide that targets a condition similar to my symptoms.
2008 2011 Ford F Super Duty Clunk/ Pop Noise Heard/ Felt Under Floor Pan While Turning | Motobild | Auto Repair
Has anyone ever heard of this before?
2008 2011 Ford F Super Duty Clunk/ Pop Noise Heard/ Felt Under Floor Pan While Turning | Motobild | Auto Repair
Has anyone ever heard of this before?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Youngsville, LA
The Lift Kit included 3.5" powdercoated steel coil spring spacers, sound isolators, shock extensions,*sway bar*frame mount spacers, bump stop extensions, carrier bearing spacer, track bar relocation bracket, radius arm drop brackets*and OEM-style 5.0" Rear Lift Blocks. I got the lift installed by a local shop....and they did a 500 miles inspection at 4000miles and said everything was still tight. I'm out of town on business, so I'll try to bring it back by sometime this coming week.
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Senior User
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From: Youngsville, LA
I just took my truck on a 45 mile drive making the same turns into neiborhoods and parking lots that have been making the truck produce popping noises....and I heard and felt nothing. The inconsistency makes this case that much more confusing.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Richmond BC
hmmm your pitman arm might be complaining about angles..
3.5" lift with a stock pitman arm is gunna cause weird angles for rod ends to deal with.
are you sure there was no pitman arm in the kit ?
3.5" lift with a stock pitman arm is gunna cause weird angles for rod ends to deal with.
are you sure there was no pitman arm in the kit ?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Youngsville, LA
I talked to a tech guy at ReadyLift and he said not to add a pitman drop arm. He said it would throw off the geometry using their lift.
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I haven't looked at it on this truck but I had a similar problem on a few trucks I worked on long ago. I know your truck is newer, but it sound similar to a steering knuckle that is bound up. The knuckle moves ok one way but not the other. Gives you a popping type feel in the steering wheel and if it's really tight you can sometimes hear it as the wheel is turned outside the truck.
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From: Youngsville, LA
I haven't looked at it on this truck but I had a similar problem on a few trucks I worked on long ago. I know your truck is newer, but it sound similar to a steering knuckle that is bound up. The knuckle moves ok one way but not the other. Gives you a popping type feel in the steering wheel and if it's really tight you can sometimes hear it as the wheel is turned outside the truck.
Talking with ReadyLift, they said that the only thing they could see being a problem is if the traction bar relocation bracket wasn't torqued to the 406 ft-lb requirement....which they said took an industrial tool most shops don't have. They said if it was loose, it could allow the traction bar to slide and cause geometry problems. When I called the installer, they said they did in fact have the industrial torque wrench required to apply the required torque. My head is spinning over this right about now.
In case a picture helps, here's a picture of my steering assembly:
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My 2011 F-250 CCLB 6.2 4x4 does the exact same thing. Suspension is stock, same type of noise/feeling... seems to be more common when I have a trailer hooked up. Both bumper pull and fifth wheel trailers have made this "noise". Happens rarely and I cannot re-create for the dealer. I will watch this thread with hopes for a solution!
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From: Youngsville, LA
I haven't heard of anyone else having the problem besides me. For the past few months I've only been noticing it when its wet/raining. I don't notice it at any other time now, even when towing.
3rd Gear
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Did your dealer ever figure out what exactly was causing this?
My 12 F-350 with 4.5" lift and 13,000mi has started to do this too. Its raining too today so its a really loud clank or pop when my streering wheel goes from lock to lock. To me it sounds like its coming from the gear box itself.
My 12 F-350 with 4.5" lift and 13,000mi has started to do this too. Its raining too today so its a really loud clank or pop when my streering wheel goes from lock to lock. To me it sounds like its coming from the gear box itself.