Mods so far...What next?
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Mods so far...What next?
Picked up my 2001 V10 4x4 with 83k miles last month. I knew when I got it that it needed "Something" done to the front end. It drove like hell all the way home, wandered all over the road and made a terrible banging noise. The guy I bought it from had just put $500 worth of shocks under it to fix this and it did nothing. Anyway, after about 30 seconds of looking under it I saw that the swaybar endlinks were trashed. Ordered and installed those, noise was gone, it drove way better but still had the wander issue.
Next step was to spend a couple of hours on this forum...That led to the next plan of installing a Hellwig rear sway bar. That helped alot also but not 100%. Searched the forums some more and found the "Steering box adjustment" thread. That helped even more. The truck drives way better but still not perfect. (I realize a four ton beast will not drive perfect, but I think it should be better)...
So my next step will be to find some V and B code take-offs from an F250 and get the suspension even stiffer. Any other ideas? Air suspension maybe?
Thanks for all the help so far...That search button is awesome.
Next step was to spend a couple of hours on this forum...That led to the next plan of installing a Hellwig rear sway bar. That helped alot also but not 100%. Searched the forums some more and found the "Steering box adjustment" thread. That helped even more. The truck drives way better but still not perfect. (I realize a four ton beast will not drive perfect, but I think it should be better)...
So my next step will be to find some V and B code take-offs from an F250 and get the suspension even stiffer. Any other ideas? Air suspension maybe?
Thanks for all the help so far...That search button is awesome.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Make sure your hubs, ball joints, and tie rods are all in good shape and working well.
You can read more here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11373753
Also, what kind of tires do you have? Size? Rating? PSI?
Stewart
You can read more here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11373753
Also, what kind of tires do you have? Size? Rating? PSI?
Stewart
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Make sure your hubs, ball joints, and tie rods are all in good shape and working well.
You can read more here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11373753
Also, what kind of tires do you have? Size? Rating? PSI?
Stewart
You can read more here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11373753
Also, what kind of tires do you have? Size? Rating? PSI?
Stewart
I'll have to check when i get home...but they're some made in China off brand 4 ply with around 65 psi.
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Sorry for the delay...
Tires are Concourse, load range E, I've tried them at 55 and 65 psi with no noticeable difference.
Had the tires rotated when I had the oil changed, still the same. Myself and the mechanic checked the front end and could find nothing wrong. (only 84,000 miles, not much worn yet)
It's looking like the B-Codes are the next step. Hope that will keep the rear axle from twisting.
Thanks again
Tires are Concourse, load range E, I've tried them at 55 and 65 psi with no noticeable difference.
Had the tires rotated when I had the oil changed, still the same. Myself and the mechanic checked the front end and could find nothing wrong. (only 84,000 miles, not much worn yet)
It's looking like the B-Codes are the next step. Hope that will keep the rear axle from twisting.
Thanks again
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The friend of mine I bought it from said it's always driven this way, even after having it aligned. He also said his 05 Limited drives the same or worse.
I'm going to run it by the tire/suspension shop in a couple of days to see what they'll charge to install the springs, I'll have the alignment/toe-in checked while I'm there and report back.
The thing wants to drive straight but what should be minor corrections with the steering wheel seem to get bigger and bigger. (not sure if that makes sense) The addition of the rear sway bar helped with body role and as a result diminished the need for a lot of the steering corrections. But wander is still a problem.
My dad has a 2000 F350 4x4 farm truck and it drives just fine with around 160,000 miles. I'd be happy if my X drove like his farm truck.
I'm going to run it by the tire/suspension shop in a couple of days to see what they'll charge to install the springs, I'll have the alignment/toe-in checked while I'm there and report back.
The thing wants to drive straight but what should be minor corrections with the steering wheel seem to get bigger and bigger. (not sure if that makes sense) The addition of the rear sway bar helped with body role and as a result diminished the need for a lot of the steering corrections. But wander is still a problem.
My dad has a 2000 F350 4x4 farm truck and it drives just fine with around 160,000 miles. I'd be happy if my X drove like his farm truck.
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I like this X too much to let the wander issue drive me insane. I'm determined to win.
Took it by the shop today to get a quote on installing springs all around. If I provide all the parts they'll install all four springs and realign it for $375.
Now to find the V and B codes.
Took it by the shop today to get a quote on installing springs all around. If I provide all the parts they'll install all four springs and realign it for $375.
Now to find the V and B codes.
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I really didn't know what to expect when I took it by there. It seemed to be a fair price, plus I'll have someone besides myself to blame if something goes south. They do pretty good work so it should go fine.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Flat Rock, MI
If your lower ball joints do not have grease fittings, you can drill and tap. I did that to my 05 Ex and it helped the wander the most (I also adjusted the steering box and alignment). V/B's may be next...
Last edited by RobRoss; Mar 4, 2013 at 10:53 AM. Reason: forgot a word
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