F250 Wanders
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Joined: Dec 2009
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F250 Wanders
We have an 03 SD F250 4X4 Supercab Lariat S/B with 60,000 miles.Feels like I'm chasing it when driving. Been to Ford a couple times for alignment,checked good.Had a shudder when hitting bumps,Ford found a bad steering damper that took care of that problem,still feels like it's wandering. Tires have 10,000 miles and were rotated at 5000 miles.
Any ideals? Thanks Jerry
Any ideals? Thanks Jerry
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 62
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Check the balljoints and front axle joints to see if they are stiff. The ball joints are most likely bad if they have not been changed yet. also make sure the front hubs are unlocked. autos have a bad habit of staying locked in
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
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From: Mobile, AL
My 03 F350 was exibiting similar problems, along with uneven tire wear. I just got her back from the shop today..... ball joints, sway bar links, bushings, axle seals, alignment, etc.....$1286 later and she tracks straight and rides smooth! Now i'm off to the tire shop tomorrow morning to put new shoes on her to get rid of the tire hum from the shot tires!
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16
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My 04 f250 is doing the same thing, I chase her every time I drive her. I have tried different air pressures and no change, I checked the hubs and they say unlocked, not sure how to check to make sure they are unlocked. I have reached under and turned the front drive shaft while motor off and in park and it turns. I'm guessing they are not locked. even tire wear also. Maybe slack in the steering box?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Oh I'm the kind of truck,
That likes to roam around,
I'm never in one place,
I roam from town to town.
They call me the wanderer....yeah the wanderer
Sorry............couldn't resist.
There are a great number of issues that can cause wander. From tires to work suspension components to alignment (especially caster settings). Coincidently, caster is the hardest of the three alignment measurements to adjust on a solid axle truck.
That likes to roam around,
I'm never in one place,
I roam from town to town.
They call me the wanderer....yeah the wanderer
Sorry............couldn't resist.
There are a great number of issues that can cause wander. From tires to work suspension components to alignment (especially caster settings). Coincidently, caster is the hardest of the three alignment measurements to adjust on a solid axle truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 410
Likes: 6
From: SE / NWL MI
Just had the ball joints and axle shaft u-joints done in mine, with 65K on it. On a recent trip the front started shaking on a stretch of road while braking, I knew then. Had a front rotor hang up last week and while it was in the air tugged on the tires top and bottom - lots of movement. I now have ball joints and axle joints with zerks new seals and a fresh alignment. I broke down this time and paid to get it done, didn't feel like sitting on the garage floor in 20 degree or lower temps (no heat). I'll be doing the sway bar bushings and links myself soon.
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More information,
In every car, truck I have ever had, when you turn the the streering wheel and let go as you drive off under normal driving the streering wheel will come back to center or almost center everytime. This f250 wont. if you turn a 1/4 turn left or right it will not return to center. Makes it really hard to keep it straight while driving down the highway, if she drifts a little left and i turn right just to stay in my lane it goes way right, then have to turn back left to catch back up to the truck. this is a consent battle.
In every car, truck I have ever had, when you turn the the streering wheel and let go as you drive off under normal driving the streering wheel will come back to center or almost center everytime. This f250 wont. if you turn a 1/4 turn left or right it will not return to center. Makes it really hard to keep it straight while driving down the highway, if she drifts a little left and i turn right just to stay in my lane it goes way right, then have to turn back left to catch back up to the truck. this is a consent battle.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
More information,
In every car, truck I have ever had, when you turn the the streering wheel and let go as you drive off under normal driving the streering wheel will come back to center or almost center everytime. This f250 wont. if you turn a 1/4 turn left or right it will not return to center. Makes it really hard to keep it straight while driving down the highway, if she drifts a little left and i turn right just to stay in my lane it goes way right, then have to turn back left to catch back up to the truck. this is a consent battle.
In every car, truck I have ever had, when you turn the the streering wheel and let go as you drive off under normal driving the streering wheel will come back to center or almost center everytime. This f250 wont. if you turn a 1/4 turn left or right it will not return to center. Makes it really hard to keep it straight while driving down the highway, if she drifts a little left and i turn right just to stay in my lane it goes way right, then have to turn back left to catch back up to the truck. this is a consent battle.
Quoted from Caster, Camber, Toe
Positive caster tends to straighten the wheel when the vehicle is traveling forward, and thus is used to enhance straight-line stability.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
I'm with redford. Take the truck to a high end alignment shop that specializes in trucks. They will fully check out the truck and align it properly. Quality alignment shops are far and few between. A quality alignment should take 45 min or even longer and you should get a print-out when their done. They will let you know if you have any other underlying issues before hand. Unless you use the truck "hard" your front end should be ok with 60k but get underneath and check the condition of all your bushings especially your track bar. But my best guess is your caster setting is off as well.
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