Steering break-in time or steering box too tight?
#1
09-15-2018, 06:58 AM
Steering break-in time or steering box too tight?
Is there an expected break in period for the steering to behave optimally?
When I test drove super duties the return-to-center after a turn was a little sluggish, and I had the same experience driving my new truck home last night. This behavior definitely made the highway drive more fatiguing.
This reminds me of the behavior when the adjustment on a steering box is overtightened. It doesn’t quite feel like caster because the overall steering resistance on the highway is still high, but despite no lift and stock tires I suppose caster still could be a cure.
So - is this normal break-in of the steering box and other front end components? 100 highway miles with little turning probably didn’t do much for any break in. Should I ignore it for the first thousand or so miles? Or should I be problem solving?
When I test drove super duties the return-to-center after a turn was a little sluggish, and I had the same experience driving my new truck home last night. This behavior definitely made the highway drive more fatiguing.
This reminds me of the behavior when the adjustment on a steering box is overtightened. It doesn’t quite feel like caster because the overall steering resistance on the highway is still high, but despite no lift and stock tires I suppose caster still could be a cure.
So - is this normal break-in of the steering box and other front end components? 100 highway miles with little turning probably didn’t do much for any break in. Should I ignore it for the first thousand or so miles? Or should I be problem solving?
#3
09-15-2018, 07:36 AM
Cargo Master
Have you double-checked to ensure your front hubs are in "Auto" or otherwise unlocked? Many dealers overlook this item when prepping for sale. While you're at it, you may also want to make certain your hubcaps are fully seated to prevent loss (give 'em a good whack around the perimeter with the bottom of your fist). The dealers install the hubcaps and several have fallen off after delivery.
#4
09-15-2018, 07:42 AM
Ignore it, it gets better over time. Mine felt like that for a few thousand miles. I hated driving on Hwy. it seemed like I could move the steering wheel 2” before the truck would react. I believe lots of this is from the tires. There a note in the owner’s manual about breaking in the tires.
It looks like you have 18” A/T tires like the ones that my F350 came with. I swapped my A/T tires out at 1000 miles for Michelin Defenders and it got much better. At 15000 miles on odometer I took a 2000 trip and it was relaxing. I don’t notice the hunting on the Hwy and no more fatigue.
The return to center after a turn is still nowhere like my other cars or my F150s were.
It looks like you have 18” A/T tires like the ones that my F350 came with. I swapped my A/T tires out at 1000 miles for Michelin Defenders and it got much better. At 15000 miles on odometer I took a 2000 trip and it was relaxing. I don’t notice the hunting on the Hwy and no more fatigue.
The return to center after a turn is still nowhere like my other cars or my F150s were.
#5
09-15-2018, 07:53 AM
Cargo Master
#6
09-15-2018, 07:55 AM
Laughing Gas
Take a look here. May answer your question....
https://www.fordrepairspecialist.com...steering-2017/
https://www.fordrepairspecialist.com...steering-2017/
#7
09-15-2018, 08:07 AM
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#8
09-15-2018, 11:20 AM
I have adaptive steering, but 1) I noticed this behavior on brand new non-adaptive steering models and 2) I understand the adaptive steering to not do anything at highway speeds (1-1 ratio at highway speeds).
I’ll probably check the alignment just to get a baseline.
I’m glad I bought a second set of wheels and tires with the plan of keeping the stock ones to rule out tires as a contributing factor as I tweak things...
checked the hubs - on auto.
I’ll probably check the alignment just to get a baseline.
I’m glad I bought a second set of wheels and tires with the plan of keeping the stock ones to rule out tires as a contributing factor as I tweak things...
checked the hubs - on auto.
#9
09-15-2018, 12:30 PM
Mine is a '17 and this is something I noticed right away. Hard to turn (more than I thought normal) and not really returning to center. After 14 months and about 4K in miles, I don't even notice it anymore. Not sure if everything loosened up or I just got used to it. Anyway...way better now.
#10
09-15-2018, 01:01 PM
Cargo Master
I had a '17 for three months. I sold it because of the steering. I did have adaptive steering but I pulled the fuse and the steering still took too much effort (tore up my bad tennis elbows). I bought a 17 F150 and now a year and a half later found a certified pre-owned 2016 F250. The steering on the pre 2017 models is way easier. I will not buy another new SD unless Ford works on the steering and reduces the effort so I hope this '16 lasts a long time
#11
09-15-2018, 02:28 PM
Laughing Gas
I had a '17 for three months. I sold it because of the steering. I did have adaptive steering but I pulled the fuse and the steering still took too much effort (tore up my bad tennis elbows). I bought a 17 F150 and now a year and a half later found a certified pre-owned 2016 F250. The steering on the pre 2017 models is way easier. I will not buy another new SD unless Ford works on the steering and reduces the effort so I hope this '16 lasts a long time
#12
09-15-2018, 02:37 PM
Cargo Master
What year is yours? I didn't test drive a '18 or '19 before buying this used '16 because as far as I know the steering is still the same
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-17-f150.html
#14
09-15-2018, 06:11 PM
#15
09-15-2018, 07:15 PM
