Ihave a 97 ford f-150 4 w/d and every time you hit a bump you can feel something loose under the front end through the steering wheel you can also even feel movement through the gas pedal? it has 48.000 miles on it they replaced the squeeky pittman arm before the warranty was out. i just had to replace the idler arm myself $80.00 and i installed a steering stabilizer wich helped a great deal but the feeling is stil there. i also put new shocks, and i checked the ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings they all seem to be okay! this is very mind boggling to me? is anyone else experiencing this feeling? if so? and had it fixed what did you do? or have done this is driving me crazy. i have drove trucks with tighter front ends than this and they was pushing the 300.000 mile mark. also i am getting a sound when i hit a bump that sounds like metal flapping or bouncing. something has to be a loose under there somewhere in the front end? the problem is i cant locate it? any help will be greatly appreciated THANK YOU!

 

f-trucks,
i will have a little more input into the subject next week..i have an appointment to take my truck into the dealer for the exact reason you explained above.i was thoroughly convinced that there just had to be something loose,after getting under my truck several times i am unable to find it.the bad thing, my truck is 7 months old and 17k miles.i have had more rattles and sqeeks on this truck than i have ever had on my previous 96 f150..thank god for loud pipes and good stereos. i love my truck,but lets face it they just do not make them like the use to...

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99 f-150 xlt,black,s/c flareside,4.6 v8,5-speed,3.55,17" sport rims w/bfg 275's,k&n gen II fipk,flowmaster 2-chamber 50 dual exhaust, kenwood cd player,amp and speakers,viper 800 alarm, superchip wont work (houston,texas)

 

THANKS spydog for the input please let me know what you find out this thing is driving me nuts!

 

I have the same thing going on. I have 51,000 on mine and I did bring it into the dealer before the warranty was up. They claimed it is suppose to do that. Yea sure! I sure would like to know what it is to.

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'97 F150XL 4.6L 5 spd 4x4 SC, Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic,
265/75-16 Wild Spirit MPT tires on factory steel wheels, K&N air filter, Leer fiberglass topper, Access Roll-Up Cover, bug deflector, rear custom Ford mudflaps, Pendaliner, Pioneer Supertuner CD, 4 Cerwin Vega Speakers. Future mods: BFG's and wheels, shocks, Superchip, stainless rocker panel guards, dual exhaust for starters.
* 9/27/99 installed Factory Ford 60/40 seats from Sonny's
* 10/13/99 installed cat-back exhaust system with dual pipes out back, a Dynomax Race Magnum muffler, and 3 1/2' stainless slash tips.

FOR SALE - Leer Signiture Series fiberglass topper. 6 months old. Loaded: tinted automotive glass, cab slider, tilt out rear windows, carpet, brake light, colormatched Silver Frost Metallic ('97 F150). $850

 

I had the "middle steering shaft" or other similar steering shaft piece (I don't exactly remember what it is called), 3 times on my 97 f150 (various mileage points), and once on my 99 (at about 9,000 miles). I could feel a slight "clunk" (not audible) through the steering wheel (especially when the wheel is turned slightly such as pulling into a driveway and hitting a small bump, sewer grate, etc.) . I don't believe there is a permanent fix for this. I think I also remember when Car and Driver first tested the 97 f150 in 1996 that they had to have the steering shaft fixed.

I don't know if this is the same thing, but I hope it helps.


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Eric
2000 Expedition XLT Dk Torreador Red, 5.4, c/c grp, tow-pkg, 3.55 L/slip,cast wheels,OWl tires. Previously.....
'97 F150 SC XLT,Bright Red 4.2 auto 3.55ls tow pkg
'99 F150 Lariat SC 5.4 4x2 3.55ls Tow-pkg Oxford White/Harvest Gold/ARE Hard Tonneau.

 

Hey ERIC A i never thought of checking the steering shaft joints mine when you hit a bump or anything it will feel real loose through the steering just like yours is doing. tell me? did it quit doing this after you had it fixed? or could you still feel it a little bit? it is driving me nuts. SPYDOG is having the same problem as me and is suppose to have it checked this week by FORD cant wait to here what FORD told him i just hope it is not the usual answer (ITS NORMAL) oh how i hate to here that! i will try to climb under there tomorrow and check my steering shaft out? that is if i am still able and my belly dont get in the way after eating all that turkey thanks a lot for the info HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO ALL

 

Yes, it did go away after getting it fixed.. it almost feels like a loose control arm bushing or control arm, but the "loose item" is in the steering shaft. I only had it replaced once on my 99, but traded shortly after that. It was replaced 3 times on my 97. Another way to describe it would be as if your steering wasn't "new-truck" tight anymore. You can feel a clunk over certain types of bumps, but not during regular turns or lane changes. I think vertical movement of the front wheels makes you feel the clunk. It's hard to describe, and I don't know if it's what you have, but it's worth a try.

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Eric
2000 Expedition XLT Dk Torreador Red, 5.4, c/c grp, tow-pkg, 3.55 L/slip,cast wheels,OWl tires. Previously.....
'97 F150 SC XLT,Bright Red 4.2 auto 3.55ls tow pkg
'99 F150 Lariat SC 5.4 4x2 3.55ls Tow-pkg Oxford White/Harvest Gold/ARE Hard Tonneau.

 

ERIC A guess what? i got under the truck today and had my dad move the steering back and forth. and sure enough it is the steering shaft u joint it is wore and it makes a clunking sound when the wheel is moved. i would have never thought of looking there? it is located right were it connects to the steering gear box! this is were all that looseness is coming from. the feeling i am getting is the same as you described! I have a FORD dealer down the street WABASH FORD wich is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week they have it! its $74.95 as many as you have went through it sounds like this wont be the last i will be buying? hopefully a aftermarket CO. will come out with a good strong made replacement? OH well!! its only money? maybe i will get my insanity back after i fix it? this thing is driving me nuts! THANKS A MILLION BUDDY KEEP ON TRUCKIN

 

F-trucks, can you please keep us inform how the install went and how long did it take?
I got a feeling I'm going to be changing mine soon.Thanks in advance.

 

no problem. glad I could help. I hope that clears up your clunk

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Eric
2000 Expedition XLT Dk Torreador Red, 5.4, c/c grp, tow-pkg, 3.55 L/slip,cast wheels,OWl tires. Previously.....
'97 F150 SC XLT,Bright Red 4.2 auto 3.55ls tow pkg
'99 F150 Lariat SC 5.4 4x2 3.55ls Tow-pkg Oxford White/Harvest Gold/ARE Hard Tonneau.