Steering Wheel Ring Down
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Steering Wheel Ring Down
I am having a problem with steering wheel ring down where my 2017 F250 4x4 w/ 18k miles on it violently shakes the steering wheel after hitting bumps, approaches, or rough pavement. I took it in to our local Ford dealer who said everything was tight. The “Master Tech” they had look at it said he could feel it at 35 MPH and did not want to take it on the highway for fear of what it may do. On frost heaved roads at 55 it is almost uncontrollable.
Dealer sent issue in to the engineers to look at and Ford came back and said this is considered a normal condition for up to a few seconds. The only suggestion they came up with that has not already been tried is to have the tires force balanced and a complete alignment which I would have to pay for because they consider it maintenance. The truck drives straight and has no out of balance shakes so it looks like a quick way to clip me out of 200.00 to maybe fix their problem but I doubt it. Opinions??
Dealer sent issue in to the engineers to look at and Ford came back and said this is considered a normal condition for up to a few seconds. The only suggestion they came up with that has not already been tried is to have the tires force balanced and a complete alignment which I would have to pay for because they consider it maintenance. The truck drives straight and has no out of balance shakes so it looks like a quick way to clip me out of 200.00 to maybe fix their problem but I doubt it. Opinions??
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
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From: SoCal
Its death wobble or just regular old bump steer.
Get an alignment and let them know you want the caster to be 3.5 or greater and make sure you get a print out. (it will be different from side to side to account for road crown). Check your shocks, the stock shocks are absolute ****. Look at replacing the steering stabilizer with something more substantial like a Fox 2.0. And make sure your tires are balanced correctly.
Get an alignment and let them know you want the caster to be 3.5 or greater and make sure you get a print out. (it will be different from side to side to account for road crown). Check your shocks, the stock shocks are absolute ****. Look at replacing the steering stabilizer with something more substantial like a Fox 2.0. And make sure your tires are balanced correctly.
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Joined: Dec 2017
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I’m going through the same thing right now. Mine has 5400 miles on it and it’s doing exactly as you describe. Took it into dealer last week and they checked alignment, road force balance the tires, removed and inspected the shocks. Nothing found out of spec. Mine does it on cold mornings at 60mph. It wobbles the steering wheel and when you hit a bump it starts shaking really bad. It wobbles all the time from 60-75 while cold. Driving around 45mph it drives perfect. Taking it back in next week for more testing.
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Thanks for the advice guys, The dealer said they did check the shocks and steering stabilizer when they went over the front end. I had already let the tire pressure down to 60 but didn't seem to help. It has been worse with the roads all heaving from weather change (Iowa) but almost put me into head on traffic today when I hit a dip I didn't see. Hense this post. A few seconds they seem to think is OK is a long time at 55 with heaved road cracks every 12 to 20 feet. They must have had enough complaints that they have a term for it. Hard to believe they would sell a truck that can be this shaky. Not what I expected for 50k. Unless someone comes up with something better I guess I will try the alignment and Fox stabilizer. Or trade for a Chevy (God forbid).
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I understand your frustration. I feel the same way. Mine only seems to do it with bumps though and much worse than your video. Drives great on smooth roads. We have had -20* below zero here last month and up to +40* today without any change in what it does other than the ground heave changes. I just feel it's funny that I am expected to pay for an issue they are aware of that could get me hurt or worse while still under the bumper to bumper warranty.
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Joined: Dec 2017
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A nearly $80k truck should not shake at 60 mph. This is what it looks like before the bumps. You can barely hold on to the steering wheel when it starts going crazy. Won’t stop until it’s below 30mph. First ford in 18 years and it’s been a nightmare. I love it over my Denali hd, but I’ll be going back to gmc when I get a new one. Motor blew at 800 miles and now this.
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I traded a 10 year old but otherwise identical truck with 216k on it and never had a problem like this. I have only bought Fords personally for last 20+ years and have 18- 2 wheel drive F250's ranging from 2002 to 2018 at my shop and none of them do it. The 02 is about to retire with 385k on it with the original powertrain.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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From: Minnesota
This is nothing new. Solid axel trucks have been plaugwith this forever. If your old trucks haven’t exhibited bump steer or the dreaded death wobble (I didn’t name it) you were lucky. If your Ford dealer won’t fix it under warranty you have a crappy dealer!!! The truck needs its alignment checked. If everything checks out ok and no loose parts some will say to have the caster angle set higher, like 3.5 or so. My trucks was fixed with about a 1.8 degrees and a new heavy duty steering stabilizer. I also installed new heavier duty shocks at the same time. My truck drives better than new now! It doesn’t even have a hint of a steering wheel wobble. This is just my opinion but the shocks and steering stabilizer on these trucks are completely junk. Good luck getting your fixed.
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From: Minnesota
Posting Guru
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It's a live axle issue. 2WD uses twin I-beams. Not super sophisticated but it gets the job done. I've never heard of this issue with 2WD.
Elder User
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From: Minnesota