F-450 handeling problems
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F-450 handeling problems
I've got an 03 F450 DRW 176 wb with a flat bed that has had handled very bad on rutted highways since it was new. Not just a little wandering but severely swerving and with a 10k lb. trailer on snow covered roads its just not safe.
I have taken it back to the dealer several times and they have come up with several reasons, replaced "bad ball joints" at 8k miles, "try reducing tire pressure" at 15K, "maybe a double steering stabilazer" at 30k, then "all 450 and 550's handle that way", "for $300 we can try some adjusting shims".
I replaced the front tires at 60k and still have the same issues.
Any suggestions?
I have taken it back to the dealer several times and they have come up with several reasons, replaced "bad ball joints" at 8k miles, "try reducing tire pressure" at 15K, "maybe a double steering stabilazer" at 30k, then "all 450 and 550's handle that way", "for $300 we can try some adjusting shims".
I replaced the front tires at 60k and still have the same issues.
Any suggestions?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
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From: Phenix City, AL
Not trying to seem too simplistic, but have you checked all the bushing in the steering components? If those are worn, it's gonna wander. Also, have you had it aligned at a decent shop and not just by the dealer? The wheels may be TOO straight, this causes drifting as well.
I tend to cringe a little when folks recommend dual steering stabilizers for steering problems. The stabilizer may help the symptoms, but it is not a cure. It tends to cover up the real issues in your steering instead of fixing it. I wouldn't do a dual setup on it, it just makes the pump work harder and puts more stress on the steering components.
I tend to cringe a little when folks recommend dual steering stabilizers for steering problems. The stabilizer may help the symptoms, but it is not a cure. It tends to cover up the real issues in your steering instead of fixing it. I wouldn't do a dual setup on it, it just makes the pump work harder and puts more stress on the steering components.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
A little more info is needed
Is it a 4x4 truck?
how many total miles on the truck?
is it a diesel?
When you replaced the tires were there any wear patterns on the front tires?
Are you using a load equalizing hitch when you tow?
What kind of flatbed is on this truck?
If you can answer the questions above ,first then I can give some suggestions
Rich
Is it a 4x4 truck?
how many total miles on the truck?
is it a diesel?
When you replaced the tires were there any wear patterns on the front tires?
Are you using a load equalizing hitch when you tow?
What kind of flatbed is on this truck?
If you can answer the questions above ,first then I can give some suggestions
Rich
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16
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From: Pearland, Texas
My truck does not wander like you describe. The tires will follow large seams and ridges where concrete and ashpalt come together in construction areas, among other places though. I could be wrong but I think it is a hard, squared off tire tread that causes that, not the suspension. If there are worn out suspension parts I imagine the problem would be much harder to live with.
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Originally Posted by BFR250SD
Not trying to seem too simplistic, but have you checked all the bushing in the steering components? If those are worn, it's gonna wander. Also, have you had it aligned at a decent shop and not just by the dealer? The wheels may be TOO straight, this causes drifting as well.
Checked everything as best as I can, I have not had it to another alingment shop, the selling dealer said they toed it in a little more than spec.
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Originally Posted by FortyFords
A little more info is needed
Is it a 4x4 truck?
how many total miles on the truck?
is it a diesel?
When you replaced the tires were there any wear patterns on the front tires?
Are you using a load equalizing hitch when you tow?
What kind of flatbed is on this truck?
If you can answer the questions above ,first then I can give some suggestions
Rich
Is it a 4x4 truck?
how many total miles on the truck?
is it a diesel?
When you replaced the tires were there any wear patterns on the front tires?
Are you using a load equalizing hitch when you tow?
What kind of flatbed is on this truck?
If you can answer the questions above ,first then I can give some suggestions
Rich
up to 83k miles now ( has done it since I took delivery)
Yes it is a diesel
The outer shoulders were worn ( figured that was from the reduced pressure)
I don't usually use the equalizer, but when loaded over about 8k I do.
The bed is a standard 8' x 9' steel with two small side boxes.
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Opps.... newbie showing his stuff here
how about a thanks and a signature.
Thanks for responding,
how about a thanks and a signature.
Thanks for responding,
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Posting Guru
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Okay heres the second question open or locked or limited slip differential ?
If its only doing it on slippery conditions the rear tires are pushing the steer tires like a set of skis.
Take the truck to alinement shop and have a 4wheel wheel alinement done you said your traveling on rutted roads that can knock the steering out of whack.
What brand and type of tires are you using ?
What is your tounge weight even thou the F-450s are tough trucks if you got more than 15-20% of the tounge weight on the hitch the truck will see saw on the rear axle. Is this a tounge type or a gooseneck or fifth wheel ?
If its only doing it on slippery conditions the rear tires are pushing the steer tires like a set of skis.
Take the truck to alinement shop and have a 4wheel wheel alinement done you said your traveling on rutted roads that can knock the steering out of whack.
What brand and type of tires are you using ?
What is your tounge weight even thou the F-450s are tough trucks if you got more than 15-20% of the tounge weight on the hitch the truck will see saw on the rear axle. Is this a tounge type or a gooseneck or fifth wheel ?
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Kenworth
It has 4.30 gear, with limited slip and it will do it in all conditions, wet dry snowy ICY.
By rutted roads I am refering to I-84 across Idaho. Asphault that has rutted from truck traffic.
Got Michelin XDE Radials on the rear and ??Goodyear?? I think on the front, I'll check that tomorrow.
Does it with or without the trailer, just worse with. Usually has the bumper pull trailer on it.
Thanks again all who have replied. I should have looked here 2 years ago.
It has 4.30 gear, with limited slip and it will do it in all conditions, wet dry snowy ICY.
By rutted roads I am refering to I-84 across Idaho. Asphault that has rutted from truck traffic.
Got Michelin XDE Radials on the rear and ??Goodyear?? I think on the front, I'll check that tomorrow.
Does it with or without the trailer, just worse with. Usually has the bumper pull trailer on it.
Thanks again all who have replied. I should have looked here 2 years ago.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Bronco,did you verify the tires all a round are the same rating (load range wise "e","d")
and size? Sidewall difference will cause flex.
Did this truck have the tow pkg on it when delivered? front and rear sway bars?
With the description of your tire wear it sound like,you (when towing) have too much tonque weight.Which will take weight of the front of the truck (light steering).
A true alignment shop is to put supplement weight on your bed to equal certain amount of tonque weight being used before doing an alignment.
Most shops don't do it.
I recommend a chk of your tires for ratings
chk all front suspension components again (shocks,ball joints,wheel bearings,tierod ends,etc))))
A steering box chk to see if there is to much play in the box itself
Then get it to a truck shop you trust.
and size? Sidewall difference will cause flex.
Did this truck have the tow pkg on it when delivered? front and rear sway bars?
With the description of your tire wear it sound like,you (when towing) have too much tonque weight.Which will take weight of the front of the truck (light steering).
A true alignment shop is to put supplement weight on your bed to equal certain amount of tonque weight being used before doing an alignment.
Most shops don't do it.
I recommend a chk of your tires for ratings
chk all front suspension components again (shocks,ball joints,wheel bearings,tierod ends,etc))))
A steering box chk to see if there is to much play in the box itself
Then get it to a truck shop you trust.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by broncofntc
Checked everything as best as I can, I have not had it to another alingment shop, the selling dealer said they toed it in a little more than spec.
I use a truck tire store that has an alignment rack and does nothing but trucks, they do a great job.
Have you tried running maximum inflation in your tires to see if it makes a difference?
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Ok by process of elimination, Ball joints have been replaced, tires have been replaced, handles same irregardless of load/weight, when towing I also will have 3 to 5k lbs on the front of the bed. The dealer tried the extra toe in to reduce the wandering.
sounds like a good alignment shop and further check of the steering box and draglink componets
Thanks for all your help
Got an appointment at shop for Monday
sounds like a good alignment shop and further check of the steering box and draglink componets
Thanks for all your help
Got an appointment at shop for Monday