Excessive front end sway (wandering) in an f-250

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've got a question for you guys. I know Ford superdutys are known to have front end issues but this one seems erratic. My 04 f-250 seems to wander alot at high speeds. I've got newer ball joints sway bars assorted front end bushings and a new shimmy shock. I also have new tires and rims a few sizes larger than stock ( but it was just as bad with the stockers). I've jacked up the front end and shook the wheels and all seems well. The dealer told me they couldn't find anything but I'm not too confident in there techs. The truck defanitlty wanders alot more now than ever before. I've also checked my power steering fluid and all seems ok. Today I jacked up the front end and had my wife turn the wheel to see if there was any play or a dead band in the tie rods etc. And still nothing, I'm not going to take it to a dealer just to have them tell me there's nothing wrong. I'll tell you from a safety stand point while pulling my 14k GN it's quite unnerving to have all that slop in the wheel. It isn't noticeable at normal speeds. What could be the issue? I'm planning on adding riderite airbags in the rear but first I'd really like to get this problem fixed.

Matt T.

 

[Builder]

How's your steering stabilizer/dampner? The one on my last Ford was about the same size as the hydraulic hood assists. I put a bigger one on and it really helped. What also happens when you put a heavy trailer on like that is the front ires make less impact on the road surface. Some feeling of loss of control should be expected.

 

[Egon]

Have you had some proper wheel alignments for all the changes when the truck is in the loaded/towing mode?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The Shimmy shock is the dampner and it's new it's the size of the frontend shocks. The alignment was done when the new tires were installed. The sway isn't just when towing it's under normal driving unloaded.

Matt T.

 

[Builder]

I've had a few Ford steering boxes take a dump on me, but most leaked, none really had symptoms of swaying.

 

[wushaw]

What speed does the wander start? High speed can mean so many things 70 or 90????

Has anybody checked the rear for any broken or loose components...like spring shackles, busted U bolts...etc

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

At around 55 through 75.

Matt T.

 

[RobertN]

At around 55 through 75.

Matt T.

Double check the toe-in. Should be able to mark the tires with chalk, measure, and then rotate them 180 degrees and measure again.

It sounds like there is not enough toe-in.

This is a solid front axle right? Not the twin I-beam with leaf springs?

 

[Bentwrench]

Do you have this problem empty or when pulling your trailer ?

Have you checked all of your rear suspension ?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I have the issue both empty and loaded. It's more noticable while empty. It's a solid axle. Can you explain the toe in? I haven't looked at the rear suspension. I didn't think that would affect front end sway can you explain it?

Matt T.

 

[Builder]

I have the issue both empty and loaded. It's more noticable while empty. It's a solid axle. Can you explain the toe in? I haven't looked at the rear suspension. I didn't think that would affect front end sway can you explain it?

Matt T.

Just a thought- do you have a rear sawy bar? If so make sure it's not loose or broken.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I don't think I have a rear sway bar.I'll check in the morning to be sure.

Matt T.

 

[TexasSD]

I went bigger with my 05 F250 and had similar issues, although not as bad as yours sound, until I went with a double shock steering stabilizer. It immediately smoothed out.

Good luck!

 

[RobertN]

I have the issue both empty and loaded. It's more noticable while empty. It's a solid axle. Can you explain the toe in? I haven't looked at the rear suspension. I didn't think that would affect front end sway can you explain it?

Matt T.

Toe-in is where the front of your tires are slightly together, and the back of the tires are slightly apart. Imagine if you will, you were to stand on your hood, facing forward, and looked down on your tires. The tires would not be parallel to each other. At the front, the tires are closer together, while the back is farther apart.

Not enough toe in, and it will wander. Too much and they'll scrub.

I have had a steering stabilizer shock go bad; in my case, I noticed more shake, not wandering. That might not be the case all the time though.

How big of tires did you put on? Did you jump from stock to 35" tall or something? Even then, a good alignment would take care of it.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I went bigger with my 05 F250 and had similar issues, although not as bad as yours sound, until I went with a double shock steering stabilizer. It immediately smoothed out.

Good luck!

I assume you meant bigger with the tires? What brand stabilizer did you go with?

Matt T.

 

[Bentwrench]

If the problem started when, or soon after you put on the new tires the problem could be in the tires. 1) to light of tire, side walls not holding up. 2) Air pressure , alittle up or down in PSI can make a difference. 3) I have had new tires that were junk, try swapping front & rear tires.

As far as the rear suspension anything lose could make the truck unstable. Take a look at the sway bar, spring bushings, axle u-bolts. The reason I mentioned the possibilty is because you've pretty much checked the front and these things can be looked at fairly easy. I had an older truck that the u-bolts loosened and it really wandered !

I might have missed, how many miles on the truck ? Just curious.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The issue was present with and without the new tires. I did check the air in all tires and it's fine.

Matt T.

 

[RobertN]

The issue was present with and without the new tires. I did check the air in all tires and it's fine.

Matt T.

What size tires did you go to? Are they "E" rated?

It's a solid axle, so it is probably either the toe-in, the dampner, or the steering box adjustment. Since it is so new, I would have the elignment checked. If it is still not right, then add and/or replace the steering dampner. Alignment is relatively cheap to check; have them check the steering box while they have it on the rack(it should be adjustable for gear lash). Steering dampner is not too expensive.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The steering damper is less than a year old. I went from 265 to 285 both were load range E. I did notice today that the play seems to be in the steering wheel. I can move it 3 to 4" in either direction with out a change in the wheels. So maybe the steering box?

Matt T.

 

[RobertN]

The steering damper is less than a year old. I went from 265 to 285 both were load range E. I did notice today that the play seems to be in the steering wheel. I can move it 3 to 4" in either direction with out a change in the wheels. So maybe the steering box?

Matt T.

I made the same change on my Dodge. 285's are just a tad taller.

How much wheel play do you have if the truck is shut off, no power steering, just sitting in the driveway?