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Ford Handling Issues

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Denny & Barb

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  • 328
  • Medicine Bow, Wy.
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    • Weather at my home
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 4-08-2012
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cafe
  • ExtColor: cafe
  • Location: Wisc. (Wittenberg.. N. Central)
Ford Handling Issues
« on: May 10, 2013, 10:46:55 pm »
My Ford F350 had some handling issues.  Basically, it had a mind of its own, meaning on a straight smooth road it liked to wonder where constant corrections was needed. This was not fixed by the standard alignment, or changing tire presures etc.

The internet is a swell tool.  I just had to Google this problem and I came up with this fine site:
http://forums.motorhomemagazine.com/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24815915/print/true.cfm

To understand all this: http://www.d26.net/240sx/mirrors/Whiteline_WheelAlignmentTermsAndTheory.htm

Apparently this wondering issue is addressed by checking the wheel caster alignment.

So I did what was suggested and had the alignment shop change my caster from 0 (zero) to 5 degrees.

In one word; "Amazing".  I would suggest to anyone who is not satisfied with their Fords handling ability to do the same.  This sure beats throwing money at suspension improvments and then finding the problem still exist.

I then went one step further.. My stearing seemed to be tight. (Ford already changed out the stearing gear box).  With the suggestion from my brother, who works at Ford, I disconnected the stearing stablizer.  Now the stearing preasure is more normal. Alignment shop say to just remove
it, and I did.

Just thought I would pass this info on to any who may have the same problems.

Denny
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Your Word our Lord is a light to my feet and a lantern to my path...  Ps 119
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Denny & Barb

  • ******
  • 328
  • Medicine Bow, Wy.
    • View Profile
    • Weather at my home
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 4-08-2012
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cafe
  • ExtColor: cafe
  • Location: Wisc. (Wittenberg.. N. Central)
Re: Ford Handling Issues
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2013, 11:59:47 am »
New steering stabilizer.  Fords original was bad.  Unequal resistance in/out. Was under warranty.  Made a huge difference in handling along with the alignment issue mentioned below.
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Your Word our Lord is a light to my feet and a lantern to my path...  Ps 119
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Sparky

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  • 334
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  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: 12/12
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2008
  • Slide: No
  • Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Ford Handling Issues
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2013, 07:07:50 pm »
Great tip
    Especially for owners of new rigs. I have an 2008 and the previous owner went and spent a small fortune on the stabilizers an shocks           ( thank you very much haha)...drives like a charm,,,, hopefully new owners will see your suggestion and go that route first,, will save some them some money.   a star for you
David Sparks
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Denny & Barb

  • ******
  • 328
  • Medicine Bow, Wy.
    • View Profile
    • Weather at my home
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 4-08-2012
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cafe
  • ExtColor: cafe
  • Location: Wisc. (Wittenberg.. N. Central)
Re: Ford Handling Issues
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2013, 06:51:59 pm »
Continuing saga maybe?  But Monroe's made for Ford steering stabilizer, broke again, after only a few thousand miles.
 :'(    Our trip to NC and AR, I noticed my PC was acting squirrelly again.  See my previous post, where I had a Ford replacement on this SS already this summer.

Noting my handling problem returned, I was tempted to disconnect the SS when I was in Arkansas' but I didn't.  A bad SS is worse than none at all I found.  Wish now I would have, because Monroe #2 went south on me.

When I got home I ordered a Bilstein replacement instead of going for #3 Monroe.   Tested the Monroe and the out pressure was40 lbs but the in was only 19!  (They are support to be equal!

the Bilstein is not only 1.5lbs heavier, but in/out pressure is 60 lbs.

I included a couple of pics one the old and one the new.

Denny and Barb
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Your Word our Lord is a light to my feet and a lantern to my path...  Ps 119
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TomHanlon

Re: Ford Handling Issues
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2013, 05:58:26 am »
I put both the Bilstein shocks and steering dampener on my 2552 and love the improvement in handling. Let us know what you think of the dampener.
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Denny & Barb

  • ******
  • 328
  • Medicine Bow, Wy.
    • View Profile
    • Weather at my home
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 4-08-2012
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cafe
  • ExtColor: cafe
  • Location: Wisc. (Wittenberg.. N. Central)
Re: Ford Handling Issues
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2013, 09:02:27 am »
Tom, I also put bilstein shocks on earlier. Don't know if they made a big difference or not because I had steering dampener problems with the old OEM part. 

Did also take the buggy for a short test drive after I changed out the dampener yesterday, and the handling was good and straight.  However there was no crosswind or funny roads to check it out on.   Now its tucked away for three months.  But God willing, it should be headed to Arizona February 1st again.  Will comment after I find some good winds out there. :-)
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Your Word our Lord is a light to my feet and a lantern to my path...  Ps 119
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