Steering Concern
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Reading, PA
Steering Concern
I'm having a small issue with the steering in my F-150. It's been doing it for six months or so. It's hard to describe verbally but its almost like a nibble felt at ANY speed all the time around corners, down the highway, ETC. I know theres a TSB out for the Steering wheel nibble but that only states highway speeds. Anyone here familiar with what I'm talking about. Going to schedule appt. with dealer later in the week. Oh yeah, theres no green dot on the bar code on the rack and pinion. I read on here earlier that if theres no dot to replace rack. Any thoughts?
2004 F-150 XLT SCAB 4X4 4.6
Bulid date: May 2004
2004 F-150 XLT SCAB 4X4 4.6
Bulid date: May 2004
Suspended
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 17,079
Likes: 0
Take it to Tire Kingdom or likewise and get the tires balanced. I've heard of plenty people wanting to take it to Ford so they didn't have to pay the small price but they didn't get any results but a waste of time. Take my advice and try to get the tires balanced cause it fixed my nimble.
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
I have it too...result of driving with unbalanced Spare?
I recently posted a thread after I found an unbalanced spare when I needed it on a Sunday afternoon. Check your spares before you need them FYI!
In the post I mentioned that the steering seemed looser immediately after the journey. Since the incident and subsequent tire patch and rebalance, I've too felt the nibble as 2004Triton describes it. It feels almost as if the repaired tire wasn't properly balanced as it seems to go through good and bad spots on the speedometer. The only problem is, something isn't right at slow speeds...even VERY slow speeds. In fact, I feel a pronounced play-zone even when pulling into my gravel (and very uneven) driveway.
I did a google and found a suggestion on another F150 forum to "tighten the preload on the rack and pinion." It seemed to apply only to the first few new 150's (late '03 build dates). Mine was built 08/2004!
I took the truck by the dealer today and they checked the tire balance and said it "checked." They have ordered a vibration dampener per TSB 04-25-7. I've read that doesn't do much more than add 80 lbs to the 6,200 we are already taking with us wherever we go.
In the post I mentioned that the steering seemed looser immediately after the journey. Since the incident and subsequent tire patch and rebalance, I've too felt the nibble as 2004Triton describes it. It feels almost as if the repaired tire wasn't properly balanced as it seems to go through good and bad spots on the speedometer. The only problem is, something isn't right at slow speeds...even VERY slow speeds. In fact, I feel a pronounced play-zone even when pulling into my gravel (and very uneven) driveway.
I did a google and found a suggestion on another F150 forum to "tighten the preload on the rack and pinion." It seemed to apply only to the first few new 150's (late '03 build dates). Mine was built 08/2004!
I took the truck by the dealer today and they checked the tire balance and said it "checked." They have ordered a vibration dampener per TSB 04-25-7. I've read that doesn't do much more than add 80 lbs to the 6,200 we are already taking with us wherever we go.
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO