Help - Wandering
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Help - Wandering
2003 F-250 Crew Cab Short Bed FX4. V10. Auto. 61,000 miles. Newer Michelin LTX M/S 265/75R16 tires.
Truck is wandering, especially at higher speeds. Hard to navigate between construction cones. After turns, doesn't really return to center.
The truck is in EXCELLENT shape and has not been driven hard. Ford just replaced the steering gear and I replaced the two inner tie rods chasing the problem. The ball joints and other tie rods are fine. I checked them and had them checked at Ford. I've experimented with tire pressure and that doesn't affect anything.
Has anyone had wandering problems NOT related to tightening the gear mesh in the gearbox? I am considering adding some shims to INCREASE my caster angle. I'm getting desperate. When towing my TT it is dicey.
I am aware of a tech. bulletin that the ball joints are actually sticking. I checked, they're not....
Help?
Truck is wandering, especially at higher speeds. Hard to navigate between construction cones. After turns, doesn't really return to center.
The truck is in EXCELLENT shape and has not been driven hard. Ford just replaced the steering gear and I replaced the two inner tie rods chasing the problem. The ball joints and other tie rods are fine. I checked them and had them checked at Ford. I've experimented with tire pressure and that doesn't affect anything.
Has anyone had wandering problems NOT related to tightening the gear mesh in the gearbox? I am considering adding some shims to INCREASE my caster angle. I'm getting desperate. When towing my TT it is dicey.
I am aware of a tech. bulletin that the ball joints are actually sticking. I checked, they're not....
Help?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,078
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From: Rural WV
I've got the same truck you have and that's the first I've heard of this kind of problem.
If Ford just replaced the steering box, take it back to the dealership and have them resolve the issue...that wondering just isn't right.
Mine has 78K on it and my steering is still nice and tight.
Joe
If Ford just replaced the steering box, take it back to the dealership and have them resolve the issue...that wondering just isn't right.
Mine has 78K on it and my steering is still nice and tight.
Joe
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 440
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From: Montana
Do a search and you will find that this is a common problem.
This is what I have done and still no fix:
Bilstein shocks
moog ball joints
KYB steering stabilizer
Energy suspension sway bar and end link bushings
Front end alignment (twice)
New tires
Adjusted the preload on the steering gear box.
Next thing I am going to try is the Track bar bushing and gearbox. When I tow I am wandering all over the place. Keep us posted if you find the problem. Someone also said to try new leaf spring bushings.
Budman
This is what I have done and still no fix:
Bilstein shocks
moog ball joints
KYB steering stabilizer
Energy suspension sway bar and end link bushings
Front end alignment (twice)
New tires
Adjusted the preload on the steering gear box.
Next thing I am going to try is the Track bar bushing and gearbox. When I tow I am wandering all over the place. Keep us posted if you find the problem. Someone also said to try new leaf spring bushings.
Budman
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New User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Do a search and you will find that this is a common problem.
This is what I have done and still no fix:
Bilstein shocks
moog ball joints
KYB steering stabilizer
Energy suspension sway bar and end link bushings
Front end alignment (twice)
New tires
Adjusted the preload on the steering gear box.
Next thing I am going to try is the Track bar bushing and gearbox. When I tow I am wandering all over the place. Keep us posted if you find the problem. Someone also said to try new leaf spring bushings.
Budman
This is what I have done and still no fix:
Bilstein shocks
moog ball joints
KYB steering stabilizer
Energy suspension sway bar and end link bushings
Front end alignment (twice)
New tires
Adjusted the preload on the steering gear box.
Next thing I am going to try is the Track bar bushing and gearbox. When I tow I am wandering all over the place. Keep us posted if you find the problem. Someone also said to try new leaf spring bushings.
Budman
My steering is tight, but wanders...know what I mean. Really sucks. There is a great suspension/steering shop here in Mesa, AZ (Spectrac). They did wonders with my motorhome. I might bring it in there and let them troubleshoot it.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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I adjusted my toe to be a little more in (3/16" total toe). I did this based on research that I had done where a little toe-in stabilizes at high speeds. It worked on my lifted Jeep in fact. Unfortunately, on my Super Dooky it had little/no effect. I'm still searching. I just bought this truck a month ago and I love everything about it, except for this issue. I hate this issue so bad, it's making me hate the truck. I often have to drive through construction zones and dodging the signs is white knuckle the whole way.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 181
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From: Dryden ON.
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Hey NWO, thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I already have a rancho stabilizer. It comes standard with the FX4 package.
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From: Wakefield
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Lou
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Joined: Feb 2008
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My experience is that some wander, some don't. My 02 Excursion wandered from the day it was new. I tried everything but it never improved. I have a 2003 f-250 with 29k miles on it and it doesn't wander at all. Even though the 03 doesn't wander, it still doesn't drive, handle, or tow as well as my '94 F-250 that has 80k miles on it.
The strange thing on the wandering 02 was that when I towed my 34', 9000 pound travel trailer it did NOT wander at all. I assume that the anti-sway hitch helped keep everything straight.
My advice is live with it or sell it and find one that doesn't wander.
The strange thing on the wandering 02 was that when I towed my 34', 9000 pound travel trailer it did NOT wander at all. I assume that the anti-sway hitch helped keep everything straight.
My advice is live with it or sell it and find one that doesn't wander.