Hi, everyone. I'm a brand new member, and glad to be on. I have a 2001 Limited, 7.3 diesel, 148 K, excellent condition in and out. I just decided to keep it for a long time after shopping for a good Duramax. Anyway, I am having only minimal issues, and one of the issues is a seemingly constant "hunting" of the front end. I have had the truck to the best front end shop in the area, and was told "oh this is common with all Fords. Live with it." I can't do that. I installed steering stabilizers, both sides, and that helped a little, but still not much. Can anyone out there offer any ideas?

 

the passengers side ball joints were shot in mine ... replacing them help ... some. the 10 ply tires i just bought help. some folks here say that adjusting the steering box helps. and btw welcome to the club.

 

A rear sway bar may help also there is some great info in this thread
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-steering.html

 

Do a search on wandering. Many, many posts in here about that topic and ways to cure or remedy it. I chose going with the RAS (Road Master Active Suspension) and a Helwig rear sway bar on my 04 Limited 4x4. Other ways are the Land Yot radius arms or changing the springs.

Eric

 

helopilot,

Check out this awesome thread on this very topic...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...s-for-you.html

After reading it...let us know what questions you have...

Kudo's to Stewart for putting all that info in one place!

BTW...Welcome to FTE...a great place for sure...

Joe.

 

Adjustable caster/camber shims, set to maximize caster angle...

The factory caster settings are close to close to zero degrees, not very stable at speed.

Also, tightening the steering box play helps a bit as well.

 

If you are looking for the roadmaster active suspension for the X mkII XXF, sobid4it on ebay has a bunch of these. I just got a set for $99 plus shipping for my 05 6.0L X and will install when it warms up a bit around here.

 

Thanks for the tip. I paid a little more, but they are on the way as I type this. Now, I am considering installing Bilsteins all around, adjusting the tire pressure, re-aligning to F250SD specs, and hoping for improvement. Also considering a Fabtech 3.5" hanger/block only lift, but not sure about that. Any ideas here?
I really appreciate how you folks jump in and help. Really refreshing and fun.
Jim

 

Best fix, IMHO ------>>> Landyot Radius Rods.

Just google the word Landyot .

 

I am in the talks with Ken now, and will be purchasing my set it the next few weeks.

 

I ordered new Bilsteins, and a Roadmaster Active Suspension kit, but since doing that, I see where some guys have used the Landyot system. Will it help or hinder, or counteract or whatever, if I install the Landyot in addition to the Roadmaster? Do they do essentially the same thing (overkill)? I am determined to solve, or at least greatly minimize, this problem.
Thanks, Jim

 

helopilot
IMO I think that would be overkill. Give the RAS a try, I think you will find you don't need anything else. Either one, RAS or Landyot will control the spring wrap issue.

Eric.

 

I agree with hvac...

I like the Landyots for effectively controlling axle wrapping.

RAS is also effective in controlling axle wrapping...BUT the RAS also has an added benefit of adding ~2000#'s of rear spring capacity...which for those of us that tow heavy...is very welcomed.

Given you already ordered the RAS and Bilsteins...I think you will be happy...so long as you don't have front end issues going on as is outlined in the thread I linked to above.

One tip I can offer from someone that has done both RAS and Bilsteins...do the Bilsteins FIRST...the RAS adds about 1.25" of lift to the rear of the Ex since it assists in holding the leaf springs back into their 'natural' state...that 1.25" hampers the factory banded Bilstein length...so my suggestion is do the Bilsteins first and then the RAS and avoid what I ran into...not a big deal...funny story actually...but doing it shocks FIRST will save you having to think how to 'compress' the rear of your Ex.

Honestly...if after you install the RAS...if you still have issues...you have something in that front end going on (ball joint, steering box, tie rods, etc) that need getting checked out.

Good luck and I have a few posts showing a few pictures of my RAS install if you are interested take a look...if you can't find it...let me know and I'll post it here for you.

Joe.

 

I agree with Eric and Joe on this one it would be overkill to install both RAS and Landyot, but if that's what you want to do go for it, just for your information the Landyot's run about $300.00 same as RAS but the RAS I just purchased off ebay for 99 bucks and other people have also got very good deals on RAS off ebay.

 

I looked around for a while ( a guy can get really distracted looking around), but could not find the post with pictures. I'd really appreciate your sending them. thanks