2013 Steering Issues

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Mar 28, 2013 | 02:14 PM

ccstp

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2013 Steering Issues

I have a 1 week old 2013 Super Duty. Super Cab, Short Bed, 4x4.

Immediately I noticed on the drive home that the truck likes to wonder back and forth and needs constant correction. It was really windy on the drive home from the dealership so I just chalked it up to the wind and didnt worry about it. Now a week later , its still doing the same. I have a 2011 F-150 and also a 2006 F-15 that I get to drive regularly and they definitely track straight and have no problem going down the road without constant correction.

ALSO, I noticed that my Super Duty DOES NOT auto center itself after a turn. Is this normal?? I mean after I make a turn, the steering wheel doesnt try to go back to center. I noticed that right away because I went around a turn and loosened up y hand's grip on the wheel expecting the steering wheel to slide through my hand as it went back to center like I am used to with my F-150s....

So in summary, my new truck wonders all over the road, much more than my F-150 and also doesnt auto center itself. Is this normal for these trucks?

Thanks!

Mar 28, 2013 | 08:51 PM

ccstp

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Mar 29, 2013 | 03:44 AM

USAF

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I own the 2012 F-350 and I do not have those issue's. I let go of the steering wheel and it auto centers. Also, my truck stays straight and narrow no all over as you put it. Don't know much but would probably take it in since it is brand new and have them look at it. Sorry could not be more help on this.

Mar 29, 2013 | 06:01 AM

redford

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From: Stephensville WI

Have your alignment checked, especially your caster setting. Positive caster tends to straighten the wheel when the vehicle is traveling forward, and thus is used to enhance straight-line stability. Negative caster tends to make a vehicle wander and feel like the steering lacks a center. Have the shop dial in as much positive caster a they can, while still staying in the alignment specifications.

If that isn't an issue, you may have a bad tire. Try moving tires from the front to the rear axle (one at a time) to see if the steering feel changes.

Mar 29, 2013 | 12:34 PM

ccstp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF

Thanks for your help. I definitely needed to hear from.someone with first hand experience to compare my sysmptoms with so no worries, you were lots of help!

Mar 29, 2013 | 12:39 PM

ccstp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by redford

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking alignment too. It's just weird that a brand new truck right out of the factory would have alignment issues. I didn't buy the truck off the lot so I know it wasn't a test drive truck.... Only had 8 miles on it when I picked it up.

I was thinking maybe some of the steering linkages may have got over tightened and are binding up somewhere in the steerin

At any rate, I will be taking it in to get the alignment checked and try to get to the bottom of it. It definitely makes driving the truck a lot more difficult than my other trucks. I'm.sure if I was out driving it late on a weekend night, I'd have people calling me in as a drunk driver lol

Mar 29, 2013 | 07:09 PM

fordman19762003

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I've heard of many people who had new trucks with the alignment off slightly so that very well could be your problem. I have problems driving a straight line with both my '13 SD and my wifes '12 F150, but I think my problem is that I'm not used to the tighter steering and am constantly adjusting the wheel like I do in my work truck.