Preface - I am a Vol. FF/Paramedic and the following question deals with F-350 Cab/Chassis being used as an Ambulance.
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My squad just took delivery of a Type 1 Ambulance (Wheeled Coach) on a 2002 F-350 Chassis. It was a basic carbon copy of a 2001 Unit that another Squad in the county bought.

Soon after they started running the truck, they said it developed a vibration in the front end so they installed a Steering Stabilizer - which they said corrected the problem (As I understand it - This was done without cousulting Ford or Wheeled Coach).

Now one of their members test drove our new unit and said he could feel the same vibration in our unit.

Also one of our Board of Directors (who owns a mid size cattle farm) also said he had to put steering stabilizers on his new Ford Trucks as well.

I was one of 2 people who picked this unit up in Fla. and drove it back home to Virginia - during all that time & mileage I never noticed a single vibration - maybe it's just me.

I'm curious as to whether any one else is seeing this same vibration problem and how you have addressed it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Stephen
n2dfire(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

Nudge back to top.

To date - all ifnormation I have gotten regarding this problem has said to have the front end (re)aligned since things probably changed after the Sub Assembly (Ambulance Box) was added.

Any one else have any thoughts if the alignment fails ?
Any one else running a steering stabilizer for Non Off Road driving ?


Stephen
n2dfire(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
:+

 

While not directly related to the vehicle you describe, there are a couple of "option" pkgs on 4x4 Super Duties that include a steering stabilizer. Some without the stabilizer report an improvement in handling after installing one. Anyway, to answer at least one of your questions- YES, it is common to have a steering stabilizer for on-road use.

 

Hey NoMo - thanks for the reply. Sorry it took me so long to get back here to read it.

Just as an update incase anyone is following this . . .

The Ambulance Mfg finally got around to adding our picture to their new deliveries Web Site.
(http://www.wheeledcoach.com/recent_deliveries.html) Listede as County of Franklin - Rocky Mount VA.

It's not a great pic, but I didn't have any control over that.

The Truck is slated to go to the nearest Heavy Truck Dealership tomorrow to have it's new Vehicle Service, VA State Inspection, Front End Alignment, and a Steering Stabilizer Installed.

On another note - it just came back Sunday from having all the lettering and graphics put on - and even though I am biased - I still think it's a very good looking Rig (The sales Rep said they might even want to include it in the 2003 Calander!!).

I'm planning on "liberating" the Digital Camera from work after the truck gets back from the dealer and snap a few pictures. I'll be happy to post them to my web site & link it here if anyone's interested.

Thanks once again for all replies here & via E-mail.

Stephen

 

Sure Stephen, post the pics! What guy doesn't like looking at Ford ambulances??

 

Very

Too bad they don't have a larger image. It's hard to see much on that page... are you in the pic? Anyway, you'll definitely have to post some pics of the finished truck.

 

So did the truck (ambulance) drive any better?

 

Well - it's back but I haven't been able to drive it yet.

The truck didn't get back here till late last night and we just started getting "Wintery Mix" early this morning (O.K. I know your asking yourself -SO ?!?! it's 4WD isn't it ??).

But we just had all the graphics & lettering put on last weekend had it all needs to "cure" and season in before we can wash the truck so were being extra careful not to get it dirty. (O.K. - so maybe we're babying it too much).


Anyhow - the guy who drove it over to have the work done said "It drove like a dream" and he didn't notice a vibration anyway (Not the same guy who drove it home & I haven't talked with him yet).

Also - I think we found the "real" cause of any vibration it may have had anyway. On the way back from the Graphics Shop - one of our members who was following the truck commented that the inner Drivers Side Read tire looked like it was "wobbling". Upon closer examination we found out it was FLAT !!

Come to find out that the nice remote air fill tube (that came with the nice shiny Phoenix Stainless Steel Wheel Simulators) was leaking.

I'm willing to bet that was the culprit of any vibration they felt in our truck. Also - luckily for us - we got an entire set of covers & hardware by mistake when the truck was delivered so at least we have a replacement - although I'm not very inclined to use them at this point.

Hopefully the weather will break tonight and by mid week things will be clean enough for me to take a test drive (might even get some pictures next weekend - weather permitting.

Thanks again for all the help & info.

Stephen

 

Well let's hope the flat is/was the culprit. And babying the truck is perfectly understandable at this point in time.

 

Well - we'll never know if the tire was the culprit or not since they went ahead and added the stabilizer (sp?) anyway, but . . .

I did get a chance to take a quick "Spin around the block" (so to speak since were in the country) last night and it drove wery well. I couldn't feel any vibration (never felt one before either).

I'll have to admit though I really couldn't tell any difference with it on than without it, however it HAD been over a month since I had driven it before. Pretty hard to make a good comparison like that.


Bottom line is were pretty much thrilled with the Ford Chassis and the truck as a whole. (Drives better and has WAY more power that the C3500 6.5L Turbo D Chevy that we bought a few years back )


Also - weather (and Wife) permitting - I'll be getting some digital pictures this weekend and may even get them on the web then too.


Thanks once again for the info.


Stephen

 

I had the same problem on my 250. Once Ford put on the steering stabilizer the problem all but dissapeared. It almost threw me off the road twice before I got it fixed though (once with a loaded 32' trailer). Once it starts, take it in and get Ford to fix it because it only gets worse and it is dangerous.

 

Well, the important thing is it drives OK now. Be sure to post a link to the pics once you get them up. :-)