All,
- I recently had a 2” BDS level installed. Prior to the level, I installed a dual fox stabilizer and my truck drove straight as an arrow. No wiggle, no wobble, no drifting, no bump steer.
- Post level, I am getting lots of road input through my steering wheel, it feels like the tires do what they want and cause my wheel to move with uneven pavement/lots of bump steer. Even going over big dips on the highway, my steering tends to pull right at the apex.
- The truck drives straight and wheels return to center but it is very uncomfortable and hints of the death wobble have returned.
- My caster is around 4.0. Had it aligned twice. Track bar drop bracket was installed.
- Anybody have these issues and know a solution? It just sucks but I know this comes with the territory of lifting a solid axle rig.
- I have several friends with the 2.5” ready lift and none of them seem to have the same problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Your caster is set at 4 degrees? That sounds out of parameter.
I have a 2 1/2" ready lift and my (very slight) steering wobble actually improved after I installed it. I had also purchased 2 degree caster sleeves but I never bothered installing them because of the way it worked out.

 

4 degrees caster is in range, and some would say good, considering its lifted. There is nothing about the 2.5" Ready lift that would make it any different than your 2" BDS lift. Both are spacers with trac bar drop. I cant think of why you are experiencing more feedback now, but the first thing would be to make sure everything the shop worked on is torqued properly. Also take another look at your alignment sheet, see if anything else might be out of spec.

 

No idea what truck you have. Here are the caster alignment specs for my 2019 F350 4WD:

HD Suspension LH 2.8° ± 1.3° RH 3.1° ± 1.3° Total/Split -0.3° ± 0.55°
Standard LH 3.5° ± 1.2° RH 3.8° ± 1.2° Total/Split -0.3° ± 0.55°

I have read a few threads where Ford is recommending setting these at the lower end of the spec range.

Is the dual stabilizer you installed made only for non-lifted trucks or did it have a range like 0-4"?

Did you do the level kit yourself or have it done at a shop? Obviously, something is out of spec from the install so the truck needs to go back in and have everything checked.

 

What are the exact caster measurements on each side?

IIRC The range is +2.3 to +4.7, with a difference of under 0.6 degrees when the 2 sides are compared.

 

I'm having the same experience with my 2018 F250. I bought it in July of 2018 and the dealer installed a 2.5" level the within a week after I bought it. I drove it on stock wheels and tires for a few months and it wasn't really a big deal (had some bumpsteer). I did swap the stabilizer for a FOX at 1500 miles.
Fast forward to now and I have almost 19K on the truck and have been running Fuel wheels with 325 60 20 Toyo AT's. I don't have death wobble but the steering feel is pretty nervous. I hit a bump and it just turns the wheel a bit. Sometimes its straight bumpsteer where it goes back and forth after hitting a bump but quickly returns to center. I dont know the caster settings at all but the truck drives straight with no pull and tire wear is very good. Its just the steering doesnt feel planted at all on the interstate.
I called a local shop and they want $300 (max) to align with caster bushings included. The owner stated they commonly add caster to the Super Duties for this reason and keep them in stock.
The dealer did not install a track bar bracket with the level. Just shock and swaybar extensions.

 

No trac bar drop bracket? How far off center is your front axle?

 

Well that's not right.....

 

I know when I put my bds 2 inch level in,I also installed the bds brand shocks on at the same time,after about 50 miles I took them junky things off and put the factories back on because they were too soft and the truck felt like it just floated around.

 

I know exactly what your saying lol...I have the BDS 2" as well (yes it has the castor bushing and track bar drop bracket) and the truck is all over the place on the highway, worst when towing.

 

Interesting how we can have significantly different experiences with lift kits. I installed the Readylift 2.5 myself with trackbar bracket. I bought the castor shims but haven't installed them yet. In fact, due to my work schedule, I haven't aligned the front end yet. I installed Fox BDS shocks and the 001 Fox SS. It drives perfectly, with no bump steer, and tracks straight as an arrow.

The ride is firmer but feels planted to the road and the Fox SS took away the slight bump steer. It's a pleasure to drive now where before it would bounce over 4 inches after hitting slight pot holes in the road. I am still on stock wheels with 275/70/18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers running around 65 PSI.

 

my caster settings are 4.0 on the left and 4.3 on the right. I’ll attach a picture.
Had All Out Off-road do the install. And I have a PMF dual stabilizer, says it works on stock or lifted trucks.

 

I’m thinking my next move is to take it to an alignment shop, reduce the caster a smudge and double check that everything is torqued properly. Such a headache.

 

I would reduce the caster to the other end of tolerance acceptance and see how that feels.

 

My truck steers better with the ready lift... bump steer is gone. I also purchased the 2 degree caster sleeves but didn't install them. Don't plan to do an alignment either.