2001 F150 binding up
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 238
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From: Ohio
2001 F150 binding up
Hey FTE!
My Dad recently acquired this truck for daily use, occasional hauling etc... It's an EC/SB 5.4 4x4 117K on the clock. The truck has new firestone a/t tires.
Problem is he says even in 2wd the truck feels like it's binding up and something is getting caught. When the steering wheel is turned full lock either direction, he has to put his put foot into it, to get it moving.
My immediate thought was one of the hubs is not fully disengaged. We threw around the idea that it could be a wheel bearing going out. Wouldn't that cause a humming sound while going down the road? Last time I drove the truck, I didn't notice any such noise.
What do you pros think?
My Dad recently acquired this truck for daily use, occasional hauling etc... It's an EC/SB 5.4 4x4 117K on the clock. The truck has new firestone a/t tires.
Problem is he says even in 2wd the truck feels like it's binding up and something is getting caught. When the steering wheel is turned full lock either direction, he has to put his put foot into it, to get it moving.
My immediate thought was one of the hubs is not fully disengaged. We threw around the idea that it could be a wheel bearing going out. Wouldn't that cause a humming sound while going down the road? Last time I drove the truck, I didn't notice any such noise.
What do you pros think?
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 58
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Not a pro...but try the parking brake cables.....one side is tighter than other & binding the the lighter tensioned one...I posted a comment on this the other day....complaints from A-Z are surprisingly fixed when the cables are " Equalized"...they are like a tuning fork when high & tight...then you can dial them in down to a hairs click with a spare throttle return spring on the gas pedal...you can feel the harmonic vibration from either side when it starts "hoggin" or barely rubbing...better yet, once you hit "unity" or optimum tension, any questions about pads,rotors,bearings etc. including EGR,IAC etc. issues might be answered...I wish more posts with this easy fix were available to know how many this helps...I see it all the time....good luck
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Matthews NC
Not a pro...but try the parking brake cables.....one side is tighter than other & binding the the lighter tensioned one...I posted a comment on this the other day....complaints from A-Z are surprisingly fixed when the cables are " Equalized"...they are like a tuning fork when high & tight...then you can dial them in down to a hairs click with a spare throttle return spring on the gas pedal...you can feel the harmonic vibration from either side when it starts "hoggin" or barely rubbing...better yet, once you hit "unity" or optimum tension, any questions about pads,rotors,bearings etc. including EGR,IAC etc. issues might be answered...I wish more posts with this easy fix were available to know how many this helps...I see it all the time....good luck
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Alot of variables included after a brake job. New rotors w/those pads?..caliper/pins/mounting hardware?...if you are confident pistons are good, then yes, this is most likely the cause....I always adjust prkng cables last...& a couple more times as they wear in....along with the smell (whichmostnewpadsdo), listen to your cat/converters....they'll be poppin' like mad, when yer' draggin' one side....& adjust them while vehicle is on gnd...not lift..bodyweight alone will cause stretch after being on a lift, & add more adjustments...if there is uneven rotor wear and rotors were not turned, you can compensate for that by tuning the cables over time......just be aware of your discard thickness relative to each side...hope this helps ...like to know..
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Matthews NC
Alot of variables included after a brake job. New rotors w/those pads?..caliper/pins/mounting hardware?...if you are confident pistons are good, then yes, this is most likely the cause....I always adjust prkng cables last...& a couple more times as they wear in....along with the smell (whichmostnewpadsdo), listen to your cat/converters....they'll be poppin' like mad, when yer' draggin' one side....& adjust them while vehicle is on gnd...not lift..bodyweight alone will cause stretch after being on a lift, & add more adjustments...if there is uneven rotor wear and rotors were not turned, you can compensate for that by tuning the cables over time......just be aware of your discard thickness relative to each side...hope this helps ...like to know..
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Easier said than done from this side....lol..as you say, adjust each star wheel high & tight, with vehicle facing slight upgrade...adjust them till no "rubbing" sounds come from each wheel, they rub rolling backwards before going foward, so even if the starwheels aren't equal, the tension to each wheel is equal...they'll be some creaksNmoans during your starts N stops at first (reverse too) while adjusting them, specially if a piston or starwheel was out of sync already...you may feel it on the left rear, & a slight adjustment to tighten the right rear may be all it needs....the throttlle return spring is used to feel the vibration along the e-brake cables right down to the tension springs to the shoe assembies....hook one end to gas (or brake) pedal & the other end of the throttle return spring to dash panel or anywhere you can stretch it to...you'll feel the "tuning fork" variables depending on how much tension you get by hooking to different locations...your vibrations severity will help you to dial em' in to a T for a smooth ride...hope this helps...or even makes sense...8)
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Matthews NC
Easier said than done from this side....lol..as you say, adjust each star wheel high & tight, with vehicle facing slight upgrade...adjust them till no "rubbing" sounds come from each wheel, they rub rolling backwards before going foward, so even if the starwheels aren't equal, the tension to each wheel is equal...they'll be some creaksNmoans during your starts N stops at first (reverse too) while adjusting them, specially if a piston or starwheel was out of sync already...you may feel it on the left rear, & a slight adjustment to tighten the right rear may be all it needs....the throttlle return spring is used to feel the vibration along the e-brake cables right down to the tension springs to the shoe assembies....hook one end to gas (or brake) pedal & the other end of the throttle return spring to dash panel or anywhere you can stretch it to...you'll feel the "tuning fork" variables depending on how much tension you get by hooking to different locations...your vibrations severity will help you to dial em' in to a T for a smooth ride...hope this helps...or even makes sense...8)
Thanks
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Somewhere Saskatchewan
If the steering wheel is fully cranked in either direction the front ujoints will bind.
Just a normal process. Take shorter strokes.
Just a normal process. Take shorter strokes.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 223
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From: Matthews NC
Easier said than done from this side....lol..as you say, adjust each star wheel high & tight, with vehicle facing slight upgrade...adjust them till no "rubbing" sounds come from each wheel, they rub rolling backwards before going foward, so even if the starwheels aren't equal, the tension to each wheel is equal...they'll be some creaksNmoans during your starts N stops at first (reverse too) while adjusting them, specially if a piston or starwheel was out of sync already...you may feel it on the left rear, & a slight adjustment to tighten the right rear may be all it needs....the throttlle return spring is used to feel the vibration along the e-brake cables right down to the tension springs to the shoe assembies....hook one end to gas (or brake) pedal & the other end of the throttle return spring to dash panel or anywhere you can stretch it to...you'll feel the "tuning fork" variables depending on how much tension you get by hooking to different locations...your vibrations severity will help you to dial em' in to a T for a smooth ride...hope this helps...or even makes sense...8)
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