I have been reading about the steering wondering issue on several different sites and it seems like everybody has a different fix for it. I am getting to the point I HATE driving it. It take a lot of effert to keep the beast in the lane and the problem is 10 times worse towing my 8,000 lbs camper. It was windy the last camping trip and I was afraid of driving it. Even without the camper it seems like sometimes it wants to pull to the left and sometimes to the right, then sometimes you let go of the wheel and tracs perfectly stright. My suspension is stock.

I got 80,000 miles on this thing and I bought it used so to rule out the stupid stuff here is my plan.

• get alignment checked
• get tires rebalanced
• check to see if its loose between the steering wheel and pitman arms if so tighten steering box
• steering stabilizer

Ok then what ?
rear sway bar ? does it really help ?
traction bars ? Are there affordable ones ? I was looking into daystars traction bars and they are big money.
Would stiffer shocks help any ?

 

First off...welcome to the world of 'wander'. Unfortunately there is not a clearly agreed to definition of 'wander' on here.

Couple of questions.

- What load range tires are you running?
- What tire pressures are you running?
- Do you use a WD hitch when towing?
- If so, have you been to a scale to verify proper weight distribution?

I realize you mention that you have to fight the steering wheel when not towing too...so that leads me to make a few suggestions.

First as I started...TIRES. If you have D range...that may be the issue. If you have E range and are running 80psi...it is my opinion that is too high...back off to no more than 60 front and 70 rear.

If you do not have a rear sway bar...get one. Under $200 from JCWhitney for a Hellwig and about an hour to install yourself...very easy.

If you haven't found this thread yet https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...s-for-you.html give it a look...Stewart does an excellent job of linking all the excellent threads we have had on here for this specific topic...you should have lots of great reading there.

Steering box may also be your primary culprit as could the ball joints...with 80K on the clock...that could easily be the source of your issues. But take a look at the post I linked to...I made a post in there where I addressed all the issues that 'could' cause 'wander'. If after you got thru that thread...if you still have questions let us know.

Now...on the towing aspect...you need to get the Ex tracking straight UNLOADED first.

But if you aren't using a WD hitch and I'm talking either a Reese Dual Cam or Equal-i-zer BRAND hitch here. Both of these provide WD PLUS sway control. These are far superior over any simple friction bar. And a trip to the scales to verify your weight distribution and tongue weights is the ONLY way to know your setup is spot on. There are ways to get close with a tape measure...but to be sure...you need a trip to the scales. Also it is important to have your spring bars properly matched to your tongue weight. True weights are important...

But lets address your unloaded issues first and then we can tackle your towing setup.

Good luck,
Joe.

 

Yes on the WD hitch, I believe it is a Reese Dual cam, I know for sure it is WD and sway control and it is not the stupid friction bar thing. My parents had the stupid friction bar on theirs years ago and it didn't work worth a blank.

Tires Load range D with 50 psi front and 55 psi rear

What would I be looking for if I took it to a scale ? I have been wanting to do that anyway just to see what the total weight is.

Thanks for the link, I think I'll be busy with that.

Is there an aftermarket bigger/stiffer front sway bar ?

 

Welcome to the club. First this rig had a recall on the D rated tires for towing purposes they should be E rated, though many people find D's are fine, for Legal reasons we will say D's are bad. next air pressure seems a little low, soft tires will wander. Now my bet is ball joints. Jack up the rig and do a push pull at 12 and 6 o'clock if it moves you need ball joints.try this first as I don't think you need a heavier sway bar in front. these rigs can wander and various things can cause it but if it does it while NOT towing you have a mechanical problem , lets find it.

 

it does it when NOT towing but it isn't too bad compared to when it is towing. I have put about 20,000 miles on it since I bought it and I would say it has been getting worse over time.

 

Don't neglect control/radius bushings either. Since the wheel and tires are so heavy on these trucks, I found the best way to check ball joints is with a crow bar or other level behind the wheel.

 

First, I would get load range E tires (80 psi max). But since you have Ds, I would inflate them to the max pressure of 65 psi when towing. The 50 psi and 55 psi are for driving the X with no tow load.

Next, you have 80,000 miles on your X but you did not say anything about shocks. If they have not been replaced, I would do so immediately. I put Bilstiens on my X at 15,000 miles and what a difference. They ride firm but the X stays on the road. I now have 72,000 miles on my X.

Finally, to cure my wandering problem, I installed LANDYOT radius rods. Just Google them and you will get an education.

FWIW - My X is a 4X4. I adjusted my steering box several times to get the wander out. I was able to get a lot of it out but it was still not acceptable. When I installed the radius rods that did the trick.

DSMMH