"Walking" down the road
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: North west Fl
"Walking" down the road
Hey guys,
My wife just picked up my 86 f150 (i'm currently deployed so haven't actually driven it yet). But she says it feels like it's trying to "walk" on her while shes driving especially over 40. I have a local mechanic she can go to double check but it sounds like a steering stablizer issue. I'm new to these trucks as well as this site so any input would be nice. Thank yall for reading,
-Michael-
My wife just picked up my 86 f150 (i'm currently deployed so haven't actually driven it yet). But she says it feels like it's trying to "walk" on her while shes driving especially over 40. I have a local mechanic she can go to double check but it sounds like a steering stablizer issue. I'm new to these trucks as well as this site so any input would be nice. Thank yall for reading,
-Michael-
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Thank you for your service to our great country and welcome to the forum!
Too difficult to diagnose over the "net". For safety sake [hers!], have her take it to someone [mechanic/front end specialist] you trust and ask them to drive it and then tell us what they suggest.
Too difficult to diagnose over the "net". For safety sake [hers!], have her take it to someone [mechanic/front end specialist] you trust and ask them to drive it and then tell us what they suggest.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: North west Fl
Its an honor and a privilege to do my part over here.
We had the mechanic take a look at it and he agreed that coukd very possibly be the stablizer since its only a single and its running 35's. So I ordered a dual stablizer kit grom rough country and we'll see if that helps any
We had the mechanic take a look at it and he agreed that coukd very possibly be the stablizer since its only a single and its running 35's. So I ordered a dual stablizer kit grom rough country and we'll see if that helps any
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Covington VA
Thank you bro!!!
Now a stabilizer may help but i dont think thats the true issue. A stabilizer is used in 2 ways.
A by showy people for looks
B for bump steer (intended use)
Bump steer is hitting pot holes, rocks, rough road conditions that can shove the tire to an angle turning the steering wheel. Its more important for oversized tires.
Walking to me is it wants to try to push 1 tire ahead of the other, then other side, then 1st side, etc....
If they are saying a stabilizer will help it makes me think the wheel is shaking back and forth. If thats the case i would assume tire out of balance or bent rim. If its aluminum wheels id almost bet its a bent wheel. You say picked up your truck. So im assuming you have owned it for awhile. Do you wheel it hard?
Are the tires bias ply like a swamper or bogger? Was it cold? These tires dont ride very well on the road.
Could also be bent steering components.
Have her explore the problem a little more or wait and do it when you return home safely.
Now a stabilizer may help but i dont think thats the true issue. A stabilizer is used in 2 ways.
A by showy people for looks
B for bump steer (intended use)
Bump steer is hitting pot holes, rocks, rough road conditions that can shove the tire to an angle turning the steering wheel. Its more important for oversized tires.
Walking to me is it wants to try to push 1 tire ahead of the other, then other side, then 1st side, etc....
If they are saying a stabilizer will help it makes me think the wheel is shaking back and forth. If thats the case i would assume tire out of balance or bent rim. If its aluminum wheels id almost bet its a bent wheel. You say picked up your truck. So im assuming you have owned it for awhile. Do you wheel it hard?
Are the tires bias ply like a swamper or bogger? Was it cold? These tires dont ride very well on the road.
Could also be bent steering components.
Have her explore the problem a little more or wait and do it when you return home safely.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: North west Fl
No we actually JUST got the truck this past weekend. I have not even seen it in person yet. It was originaly going to be a bogger so its very possible that something got bent off road at some point. The tores are toyo mt I believe but dont have a lot of tread left. And walking is the word that I was told while descring it, but did kinda sound more like shaking. I will have her check it out more throughly but I really want to make it safe forher as soon as I can since she's driving it from time to time whe im gone.
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Covington VA
There is also the possibility one of the tires could have a knot or bulge in it from maybe hitting a rock or curb with the tread or bent the belts. Could have went flat at some point and bent the belts.
Have her call around and find a shop that can balance 35s. Not all of them can fit 35s on their machines.
Have her call around and find a shop that can balance 35s. Not all of them can fit 35s on their machines.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: North west Fl
Sounds like a good idea, I see what we can do. But what abut when I put 38's on it? (Foreseen in the next few months) will I need to do anything to it besides balance then? And can my truck handle it without a lift?
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Covington VA
Havent messed with them in a good while but you didnt balance 38+ back in the day. Ha we just put em on in the driveway with a sledge, prybar, wd40, and a little ether to set the bead.
These days there may be shops that will handle them. Check with your vehicle crew. They will probably have every answer you need.
These days there may be shops that will handle them. Check with your vehicle crew. They will probably have every answer you need.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Covington VA
That will depend on it when its done. If its a short bed its gonna be a bear. You will probably want a 2 piece shaft especially if its a shortbed. Angle will be steep as the rockies. Check out stacey david website. He has built some monsters before. Look maybe for the sgt rock build. It was a old 1 ton dodge he put on 48" claws. Whoever made that shaft has to be decent.
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Covington VA
You may get lucky and only need to rotate the axle nose up a few degrees. U joints will probably need to be bought in bulk. I would think about ditching the 1/2 ton axles for some 1 tons. 38s can be murder on a running gear.
Brake upgrade is a must. Power may be needed too. Your looking at 180 pounds or so for each wheel and tire.
I think id stay with 35s. Get some mickey tompson claws. If they dont go through it you probably shouldnt be there.
Brake upgrade is a must. Power may be needed too. Your looking at 180 pounds or so for each wheel and tire.
I think id stay with 35s. Get some mickey tompson claws. If they dont go through it you probably shouldnt be there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
9902ford
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Jan 7, 2008 05:46 PM
jddoelan
2004 - 2008 F150
2
Oct 11, 2005 11:04 PM
thoseapples
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
5
Feb 26, 2002 03:26 PM