sloppy steering
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 104
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My thought is this: when a truck is brand new, the rubber bushings in the panhard rod and radius arms are really tight and nice. But at 16k miles, they have probably already started to elongate and crack slightly. It doesn't bother some people, but you and your daughter are noticing it. Likely, the same thing happened to your 2016 truck.
Knowing the quality of the Ford shocks, the steering dampers are probably failing early, too. They aren't subjected to as much impact as a road shock, but you could also be feeling increased feedback through the damper if its failing.
What I found it that replacing the radius arm bushes and panhard rod bushes with "poly" bushings is the best thing to do. These don't crack and last so much longer than the rubber ones.
Most worm and roller steering boxes like what's found on these trucks have a screw or bolt that allows you to "tighten" or "loosen" the steering. This won't affect feedback, though...it just makes the steering effort more or less.
My truck has 12k miles on it, and the steering seems identical to how it was when new. I live in one of the worst pot-hole ridden frost-heaved areas of the country, and my 350 dually is one of the stiffest-riding trucks out there.
Good luck, hope the dealer can help you out.
Knowing the quality of the Ford shocks, the steering dampers are probably failing early, too. They aren't subjected to as much impact as a road shock, but you could also be feeling increased feedback through the damper if its failing.
What I found it that replacing the radius arm bushes and panhard rod bushes with "poly" bushings is the best thing to do. These don't crack and last so much longer than the rubber ones.
Most worm and roller steering boxes like what's found on these trucks have a screw or bolt that allows you to "tighten" or "loosen" the steering. This won't affect feedback, though...it just makes the steering effort more or less.
My truck has 12k miles on it, and the steering seems identical to how it was when new. I live in one of the worst pot-hole ridden frost-heaved areas of the country, and my 350 dually is one of the stiffest-riding trucks out there.
Good luck, hope the dealer can help you out.
I've noticed in about the past 2k mile my steering wheel has a very faint rattle feeling.
You cannot hear it strictly feel when holding the wheel.
Noticibly more rattle when holding wheel left than right!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Do you have adaptive steering?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
When you are talking about "holding" your steering left or right, are you talking about turning and holding the steering at full lock (when backing into or coming out of a tight spot)? Or are you just talking about giving some normal steering left or right to just turn a corner, etc. ?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 104
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When you are talking about "holding" your steering left or right, are you talking about turning and holding the steering at full lock (when backing into or coming out of a tight spot)? Or are you just talking about giving some normal steering left or right to just turn a corner, etc. ?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
I guess I'm at a loss. You're describing it as a vibration or rattle? I guess its possible some rattle from the engine / transmission is coming through the steering?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 9
From: Finger Lakes, NY
I just installed a BDS/Fox dual steering stabilizer and mine is still sloppy. Do you guys have the adaptive steering? I'm starting to think the adaptive steering is the issue. Or it could be just the way these trucks are. I'm coming from a 2016 Denali also and was use to its tight steering.
[on the SD's] I can add; trucks with the snowplow pkg have the worst of this experience. Also the Fx4 package is no savior either, I like the plain-ole 4x4 package for best overall ride, and my salesman tipped me to this once I said "I want the best ride possible and I'm coming from a Denali that rode like a Cadillac!"
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
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Coming from a Denali also, I think this difference is entirely the IFS. The Denali was a bad *** riding truck with plush isolated steering wheel comfort (very little road bump, slop, wiggle or chatter).
[on the SD's] I can add; trucks with the snowplow pkg have the worst of this experience. Also the Fx4 package is no savior either, I like the plain-ole 4x4 package for best overall ride, and my salesman tipped me to this once I said "I want the best ride possible and I'm coming from a Denali that rode like a Cadillac!"
[on the SD's] I can add; trucks with the snowplow pkg have the worst of this experience. Also the Fx4 package is no savior either, I like the plain-ole 4x4 package for best overall ride, and my salesman tipped me to this once I said "I want the best ride possible and I'm coming from a Denali that rode like a Cadillac!"
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 932
Likes: 10
From: Tampa
I've gotta chime in on this one. I've had all new, 2011, 13' 15' 16' and now a 17' Super Duty. I still have the 16', it has about 8000 miles it now. I ordered the 17' before ever driving one. Actually, I never test drive a new vehicle before I drive it. I figure if it's good enough for you it will be good enough for me. Im kind'a regretting that now. None of my prior Super Duty's drive like this 17'. The 17's steering feels loose with 200 miles on it. There's to much play at center. Kind of a wander feeling like a worn Steering Stabilizer might feel.
Idk .. As mentioned earlier, I'm going to play with the Air Pressure a bit and see if that makes an improvement ..
Idk .. As mentioned earlier, I'm going to play with the Air Pressure a bit and see if that makes an improvement ..
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 9
From: Finger Lakes, NY
I'm happy with the ride, just the Denali was significantly better, but I guess ya can't have everything!
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 726
From: Wisconsin
Exactly, good description. Its as though a wheel bearing is loose or the drag link at the pitman arm is loose.........definitely not "normal".
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Exactly! even some of the items that seem possible culprit's.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
I've gotta chime in on this one. I've had all new, 2011, 13' 15' 16' and now a 17' Super Duty. I still have the 16', it has about 8000 miles it now. I ordered the 17' before ever driving one. Actually, I never test drive a new vehicle before I drive it. I figure if it's good enough for you it will be good enough for me. Im kind'a regretting that now. None of my prior Super Duty's drive like this 17'. The 17's steering feels loose with 200 miles on it. There's to much play at center. Kind of a wander feeling like a worn Steering Stabilizer might feel.
Idk .. As mentioned earlier, I'm going to play with the Air Pressure a bit and see if that makes an improvement ..
Idk .. As mentioned earlier, I'm going to play with the Air Pressure a bit and see if that makes an improvement ..
Have any of you guys with prior year Superdutys studied the front end components on the 17 vs older years to see if they changed something in 17? I keep blaming mine on the Adaptive Steering, but it seems like some of you without it are having the same issues I am.