Caster question

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Jan 20, 2022 | 12:00 PM

mikemdd

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2021

Posts: 104

Likes: 56

Caster question

2022 F250 Platinum/6.7 engine. I am fortunate my truck is near perfect with no noises or other issues (knock on wood....). My question relates to the steering returning to center after making a turn. After the turn is complete, the steering wheel does not return to center on its own. It starts to naturally re-center but I need to manually complete the re-centering. Not a problem but definitely different than my other vehicles. Would increasing caster improve the re-centering? If so , what other issues could I be creating? Again, I don't see this as an issue, but wondering if it can be improved. My fear is that sometimes "fixing" something that is not broke causes other big issues. Thanks!

Jan 20, 2022 | 12:22 PM

Glamis_SD

5th Wheeling

Joined: Nov 2021

Posts: 26

Likes: 22

From: SoCal

Yes, increasing positive caster will help with steering wheel return to center after making a turn. Downside of too much positive caster is heavy/hard steering (it does not affect tire wear). If you have too much of an inbalace of caster (left/right), the vehicle will pull to the side with less, or more negative of the 2 measurements.

I would bring it in to the dealer to have them check the alignment and let them know the steering doesn't return to center after a turn.

Jan 20, 2022 | 12:35 PM

Louisville Joe

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,501

Likes: 190

Often when one of my drivers goes from a GM HD to a Super Duty I get a 'what's wrong with the steering' complaint for this issue. Glamis SD is right. Yes, increasing caster should help the steering center after a turn, but too much caster can influence 'Death Wobble' (but not as bad as too little). Best thing to do is set to factory spec. max positive caster and make sure the front tires are properly inflated. That's what these trucks steer like.

Jan 20, 2022 | 09:22 PM

mcmurm

More Turbo

Joined: Jul 2020

Posts: 709

Likes: 188

Positive caster is good on these trucks. I've got about 5.3* on my passenger side and 4.7* on my driver side. Slightly higher than factory spec, but it feels great.

I've also seen people state that their trucks were a bit stiff when new, but after a thousand or so miles the steering seemed to get a bit better. Who knows how accurate this is or if it's just people getting used to the new truck.