99 F250 handling problems!!!
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From: Colorado
99 F250 handling problems!!!
My dad has a 99 F250 XLT extended cab, short bed, 4x4, V10 auto, 3.73 rear end (I think). He bought the truck with 24k on it in 2000. He loves the engine, but the truck does not handle worth a ______. I did not believe him so I borrowed it for a couple of weeks, and sure enough, it was horible. It put me on the median and I didn't even know it. As he describes it is like riding on top of a bowling ball. The truck feels unstable and hard to keep on the road. He has had it in to the dealer and they replaced most every part that has to do with the ride including shocks, sway bars, etc. He just put new tires on it and that helped a little, but not much. I was wandering if anyone has had similer problems or has any suggestions? We are dye hard Ford drivers. He has had Fords since I was born. He has a 90 F350, regular cab, 460 auto, with 260,000 miles with just a rebuilt trasfer case. 75% of those miles were pulling around 20,000 lbs! I love that truck, and I won't let him sell it. Please any info will help. Thanks you, Levi
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
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99 F250 handling problems!!!
It has been stated here a few times that these trucks squirm a while with new tires.I had Firestones and they were squirmy at first but settled down quite a bit after a couple of thousand miles.I still replaced them soon after with Michelin MS tires and they handled better around bends.But in all fairness,they are a bit more of a road tire than the Firestone Steeltex's.
Have the ball joints been checked?Many have had them replaced in as little as 40,000 mi.If they check good,I would have the caster checked.The more caster angle the more stable and on center feel your truck will have going down the hwy.
Good Luck,hope this helps.
Have the ball joints been checked?Many have had them replaced in as little as 40,000 mi.If they check good,I would have the caster checked.The more caster angle the more stable and on center feel your truck will have going down the hwy.
Good Luck,hope this helps.
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From: Colorado
99 F250 handling problems!!!
Thanks for the info. I will get my dad this info and see if it helps. The truck came with Firestone's on it, and a month ago he put on new tires. Not sure what brand. He says it is better, but still squirmy. The Firestones never settled down. The truck has a mind of its own. It is hard to towe with one hand on the wheel. One minute it will just go off, especially if it hits a bump in the road. I do not know if it is magnified in turns like suggested in the other post. I will post results when we get a chance to get it checked. Thanks Levi
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
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From: USA
99 F250 handling problems!!!
4x4x4 is right on the money ,I will add a few things also!
does this truck have a steering damper?
also was this truck in an accident that you know of?
Be sure the truck is not dog tracking,in other words all 4 wheels aligned and tracking correctly!
shocks
ball joints
tires (correct rotation)
alignment (4 wheel)
steering box play
tie-rods ends
Front wheel hubs (front bearings sealed units)
make sure the hubs are unlocking if auto hubs ,they do stick sometimes!
Rich
02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs
"All Levers"
does this truck have a steering damper?
also was this truck in an accident that you know of?
Be sure the truck is not dog tracking,in other words all 4 wheels aligned and tracking correctly!
shocks
ball joints
tires (correct rotation)
alignment (4 wheel)
steering box play
tie-rods ends
Front wheel hubs (front bearings sealed units)
make sure the hubs are unlocking if auto hubs ,they do stick sometimes!
Rich
02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs
"All Levers"
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Calgary Canada
99 F250 handling problems!!!
Forty might have nailed it. I'd get the truck to a frame/alignment shop and have it thoroughly checked out. It may have a twisted frame due to an accident or overloading.
My '02 F350 4X4 was little squirrelly for the first 400 miles or so, but it goes down the highway like a slot car now. If you've gone through all the typical parts and tires, I'd take a good look at the frame. Handling like that IS NOT typical.
Waxy
My '02 F350 4X4 was little squirrelly for the first 400 miles or so, but it goes down the highway like a slot car now. If you've gone through all the typical parts and tires, I'd take a good look at the frame. Handling like that IS NOT typical.
Waxy
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From: Oconee, IL
99 F250 handling problems!!!
You are all right on the money with the ball joints. My truck is in the shop today having four new 'greasable' ball joints installed. Should have been done 20,000 miles ago instead of at the 95,000 mile mark. Had a buddy with same truck and same experience and the ball joints made a new truck out of it.
1999 F350 Extended cab, Short box, 4x4, V10, white w/ barb wire!!!
1999 F350 Extended cab, Short box, 4x4, V10, white w/ barb wire!!!
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From: Colorado
99 F250 handling problems!!!
I forwarded this to my dad, he says everything that you all have mentioned has been checked. He does not know where to look next. Ford was supposed to have fixed it when it was under warantee, but now it does not look good. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. First Ford we have had a problem with, but we love the V10, and can't wait for the next buy, DIESLE. Thanks Levi
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
99 F250 handling problems!!!
>I forwarded this to my dad, he says everything that you all
>have mentioned has been checked. He does not know where to
>look next. Ford was supposed to have fixed it when it was
>under warantee, but now it does not look good. Any other
>suggestions would be appreciated. First Ford we have had a
>problem with, but we love the V10, and can't wait for the
>next buy, DIESLE. Thanks Levi
>
>02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
I'm not as mechanically inclined as the other guys here, so I haven't been commenting yet. But one thing I can comment on is your reference to fixing under the warrantee. Did the dealer document any of your complaints about the handling during the warrantee period? Were any attempts made to fix it by the dealer? Do you have a "paper trail" of this? If so, you can argue the point with the dealer and have them correct the issue, even if it is out of warantee; heck, they should have done their job 2 years ago! Is it your dad's fault they didn't?!?!?!
If the dealer gives you any lip, I suggest you call the DOT-NHTSA (department of transportation-national highway transportation safety administration) at 1-800-327-4326 to file a complaint regarding the safety of the vehicle. Then write a letter to Ford. In your letter be certain to tell them about your conversation with DOT-NHTSA, include copies of the paperwork that you had this in for service in the past, inform Ford that the dealer SHOULD have fixed this under warantee but didn't, and I'm sure you will see people jumping through hoops trying to make you happy. Sometimes you have to play the game their way to win.
>have mentioned has been checked. He does not know where to
>look next. Ford was supposed to have fixed it when it was
>under warantee, but now it does not look good. Any other
>suggestions would be appreciated. First Ford we have had a
>problem with, but we love the V10, and can't wait for the
>next buy, DIESLE. Thanks Levi
>
>02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
I'm not as mechanically inclined as the other guys here, so I haven't been commenting yet. But one thing I can comment on is your reference to fixing under the warrantee. Did the dealer document any of your complaints about the handling during the warrantee period? Were any attempts made to fix it by the dealer? Do you have a "paper trail" of this? If so, you can argue the point with the dealer and have them correct the issue, even if it is out of warantee; heck, they should have done their job 2 years ago! Is it your dad's fault they didn't?!?!?!
If the dealer gives you any lip, I suggest you call the DOT-NHTSA (department of transportation-national highway transportation safety administration) at 1-800-327-4326 to file a complaint regarding the safety of the vehicle. Then write a letter to Ford. In your letter be certain to tell them about your conversation with DOT-NHTSA, include copies of the paperwork that you had this in for service in the past, inform Ford that the dealer SHOULD have fixed this under warantee but didn't, and I'm sure you will see people jumping through hoops trying to make you happy. Sometimes you have to play the game their way to win.
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99 F250 handling problems!!!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Nov-02 AT 12:05 PM (EST)]My inital guess would be to check the steering gear play. I adjusted mine and now it tracks much better. I'd also have a non-Ford shop check the truck. Ford seems to have very wide tolerances on what they call 'good'.
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From: Colorado
99 F250 handling problems!!!
The problem with the dealer is that my dad is fairly good friends with the main guy. Which, makes me wander why the truck was never fixed if he is a true friend. My dad and I own a business, and we honestly are too busy to have a truck in the shop. It would also cost us a fortune (small business). But I agree that something should be done. My dad told his friend at Ford that if he doesn't fix it, he will not buy any more trucks from him (about 1 every 2 or 3 years since 1985 through ?). We finish a busy season just before Christmas, and we hope to get this resolved this winter.
Have also had many other mechanics look at it. Shops that we use when the warantte is up. They can't find anything. We are getting the frame checked as time permittes. Thanks for the response, I love this site. Levi
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
Have also had many other mechanics look at it. Shops that we use when the warantte is up. They can't find anything. We are getting the frame checked as time permittes. Thanks for the response, I love this site. Levi
02 F150 4x4 5.4 V8, 3.55 limited slip, sport.
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