2001 F250 RWD Ext Cab 5.4L w/165k miles

I had an accident late April, slid off road with travel trailer. Trailer tongue got under rear bumper and then flipped on side. Tow truck pulled truck/trailer combo out, but wheels weren't straight at first so they got twisted sideways a bit. Drove home minus the trailer 700 miles, didn't seem to notice anything at that time.

Several months later, trailer is fixed and we are ready to go on a trip, but the truck seems like it wants to wander all over the road. Never had this problem before. It is definitely much more noticeable with the camper attached, but can tell it still wanders when driven separately. Drove 15,000 miles with truck/trailer combo pre-accident without this feeling, now I am worried that I will swerve out of my lane with wind or semi passing and not be able to regain control due to loose steering.

So, I do an inspection of the steering/suspension. First thing I notice is that the outer tie rods are well worn. So I replace outers as well as the inners/drag links with Moog. I changed the steering damper as well. Didn't help at all. I replace the front and rear shocks - which were well overdue. Still no help. I then switched the tires from front to back... nothing. Then after driving just the truck down a gravel washboard road, picked up a clunk in the front. Sure enough, ball joints. I replace top and bottom on both sides, and repack bearings which seemed perfectly fine. Still no help. Finally I decide to replace the steering gear (and the pitman arm). Still nothing. I get some adjustable caster bushing and increase the caster on the front wheels (last alignment post ball joints said they were at 4.0 and 4.4, now they are at 5.5). Still nothing. I even replaced the sway bar rubber bushing that looked worn and dry...

Does it seem better? Yes, but not even half as good as it was... I have had it aligned three times, I've had the frame checked and it was okay. I have had 10 or so shops look at things and can't figure it out. What else can I do? The only things I haven't tried is new tires, or actually replacing the front wheel bearings... Any suggestions???

 

Any play in the steering box?

 

Seen some YouTube videos on this issue.....

 

Is trailer 100% straight after the incident? If not it could be steering the truck from behind.

 

Brand new steering box - no play for sure... It doesn't quite return to center, but most big trucks don't. Trailer straight (new frame). Also, truck does the wandering thing without the trailer, it just is even more noticeable with the trailer.

 

I had the not-return-to-center thing on mine. After replacing balljoints it does return to center much more.
You should check balljoints, under pressure of the weight of the truck. They could bind when loaded up, that's what mine did.This will also wear out your steering box quicker.

 

you may also want to check your spring shackles. the stock ones are pretty sturdy, but not meant for roll-over trailer action. they might be bent or the bushing damaged. springs ok? no bent or broken leafs?

 

I have replaced the ball joints - and properly torqued them. With the wheels in the air, and turning left to right by pressing on the tires, not steering wheel, there is some 'sticky' places. I talked to Ford and they think that it could be that the steering gear needs a break in period of a couple hundred miles, they say it is too tight, but not to loosen it.... just drive it and let it break in.

Front springs look real good, and rear leafs seem okay (although it looks like the bottom leaf on one side may have shifted some, but it is tight now and I can't move it back at all).

 

Hmm, the 'sticky' places might indicate a defective ball joint. That's exactly what mine did. Smooth in some spots, sticky in others.
Which brand ball joints did you use ?

I had a broken rear leaf spring. A loud rattle was the result. Easy to spot. Sounds like yours is ok.

 

You did so much to the front with no results that IMO everything points to the rear. Must be play in rear axle mounting points, stabilizing bar, bearings... I would try to lift axle and with crow bar move it around. Im no gambler but i can bet you will find something loose there.

 

You fixed everything except the track bar, search on ‘death wobble”.

Jack up the front of the truck so that the axle is freely suspended, have a helper use a 2x4 to lift under the tire as you look for movement. Lifting upwards will validate spindle ball joints, applying more side motion lift will expose the track bar as the axle will want to move sideways.

Obviously be very careful to not squash your Mellon.

 

Ball Joints were Moog Problem Solver - the best I could find. In fact all new parts are Moog except the steering stabilizer and the reman steering gear.

I don't think I have a track bar. Sway bar, yes... Also I think the 'death wobble' only applies to 4wd - where mine is 2wd.... I read lots about it, but most point to 4wd only parts (iirc).

I will try playing with the rear axle some... cold and getting dark today so it will have to wait until tomorrow.

 

Right, some part number references for 2WD, though i’m Certain your truck tells the full story.

 

Have you checked your axle pivot bushings?

 

Axle Pivot Bushings - I will check them out. Can I tell if they are worn without disassembly? I hope so. I didn't realize they were a rubber bushing - I figured it was some sort of metal sleeve....