The wandering Ex
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
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So finally a dry Saturday to put on some new parts. I got a new serpentine belt, tensioner and pulley. Got them installed but no change to the wandering. Still likes to dart all over the road. Probably time to let it go.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
edit.... never mind, I just saw your alignment spec.
yes I agree you need to take it to a shop that will set it up correctly.
your steer ahead is off so that right there is going to make going straight a challenge, the total tow is close but the left and right are not balanced. Total toe should be .06* at the most, left right toe should be equal and steer ahead at 0.0*
where are you located ?
yes I agree you need to take it to a shop that will set it up correctly.
your steer ahead is off so that right there is going to make going straight a challenge, the total tow is close but the left and right are not balanced. Total toe should be .06* at the most, left right toe should be equal and steer ahead at 0.0*
where are you located ?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
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Likes: 3
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
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From: chicago northwest suburbs
you may want to put it back on! Mine was all over the place until I put the sway bar on. The only thing I did and it got rid of the wander! It was so bad when I bought it (2006 when it had 17k miles) I was going to get rid of it after a month. Then I read a few posts on the wandering. I tightened the gear box, which helped a little. Installed air bags because I had them from a previous vehicle, again helped a little. Then the Hellwig, which is what finally cured my wander!
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Posting Guru
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So before I take it to the alignment shop, I thought I would jack it up myself and check it out. Go to spin the front left tire and I hear the brakes dragging. Pull the wheel off, remove the caliper and notice that one piston is sticking out 1/4 of an inch further than the other one, well that ain’t right. Brand new motorcraft calipers with about 2000 miles on them, are toast. The other side was ok but I replaced both sides anyway. Took it for a drive, stops nice and straight. I didn’t take it for a long enough drive to see if it helped the wandering but I’ll do that probably this weekend.
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Posting Guru
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Too the Ex in today for an alignment, the mechanic made a few adjustments and it much much better. I also followed Pirates advice in removing the steering stabilizer, it returns to center effortlessly now. Didn’t get a chance to take it on the highway but I have no doubts it will be fine. I didn’t get a printout of the alignment since the shop closed early. It drives so much better!!
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Posting Guru
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I went in on Monday to make the appointment and I showed the guy at the counter my alignment sheet, the one I posted on page 1, so he agreed that the toe was out in the left side, so I’m assuming that’s what they adjusted. What ever he did made it much better.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
It’s crazy how such a tiny adjustment affects this beasts and even crazier how many shops get it wrong, the specs are so broad that even with it in spec they can handle horrible, problem is the art of alignment and handling tuning has nearly vanished with computerized alignment systems, now they put a snot nosed kid who is more computer savy then understanding of suspension and steering systems on the task and he sets the toe to the green and sends you on your way....the phrase in the industry is “set the toe collect the dough” Luckily there are still a few artists left, you just need to find them.
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Posting Guru
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Today I greased the slip joint to get rid of that thunk and a slight vibration at 70mph. The thunk is gone but the vibration is still there. And so is the wandering. It just seems like the rear wants to steer. So I think I’m done with the Ex. We have many camping trips planned this summer, the Ex will be staying home, I will be borrowing my sons 2008 F350. Headed out next weekend, then the second weekend in June and the big trip to Nebraska in July to visit my brother. The Nebraska trip is on hold as of now until I decide what to do with this truck. Thanks to everyone who has helped.