I recently purchased a 2000 F150 Flareside, 5.4, ext cab. Just hit 2k miles and I love it, the only problem is the steering. It doesn't really wander, it just doesn't stay centered in road and requires numerous corrections (more than I think it should). I lowered front tire pressure to 26 PSI (per tag inside door) and that helped some, but it is still a bit annoying. Anyone else experience this problem? Any fixes? Thanks.

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You should have the dealer check the alignment - apparently you are entitled to a free one before 12,000 miles (so I've heard). Some people have said that when they chain the truck to the transporter, they really crank it down to the extreme, which can throw the alingment off.

One of my friends always has the alingment shop set the caster at the maximum allowed within the range, as he says this helps straight line stability.

 

Thanks for the info, I will try that and see what happens.

 

Howdy Lariat,

Mine does the same thing, around 70 plus mph it is very difficult to drive. I took mine to the dealer, had an alignment done. Truck is still difficult to drive I'll be taken it back again. Also have a vibration at 70 mph plus. Had the tires rotated and balanced. Something is not right, way to many corrections. Not as noticable below 55 mph.

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2000 F-150 Lariat, Flareside, Black, SC, FOxFO, 5.4L, 4R70W TranZ, 3.55 Limited Slip Rear Axle, Garmin Street Pilot Color GPS, Bed Rug, ExTang Saber Tonno, CatchALL Floor Mat's, VentShade Visors, Limo BLaCK Tint'd Windows, PIAA Platinum Super White Headlight Bulbs, FLoWMaSTer 40 Series MuFF, SuperFReaKiN - FLiPCHiP Cal'd for Regular and Premium FueL

Soon..............

AiRaID FIPK, F-1 HooD, P305/75/R17 BFG KO's, 4" Body LiFT

[url=www.tnugent.com/[/url]



[This message has been edited by LoNE WoLF (edited 05-10-2000).]

 

A vehicle with excessive toe-out \\-// will be all over the road -- with no real feel of control.

Excessive toe-in //-\\ causes a 'twitchy' feel, where you seem to over-correct easily, since as you steer left, the vehicle unloads the left wheel which causes the right wheel to steer the vehicle even more to the left, where you over-correct back to the right, etc.

"Just-Right" is ever-so-slightly toe-in for 2wd, with ever-so-slightly toe-out for front-wd. I prefer straight-ahead (-?, +0).



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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 AW-Disc, 3.73LS, Skid, 7700# HD Towing, Chrome LT-245, Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, keyless, Toreador Red, called "Nick"

 

Lone Wolf - Thanks and let me know what fixes it (and what doesn't). Sounds like the same problem but I don't have the vibe thing.

Y2K - So I would have excessive toe-in?

 

Howdy Lariat,

Well here is what I determined, Started messing with the truck the other day as I waZ driving down the road and noticed that the vibration would diminish if I moved to the right or left side of the lane I waZ traveling in.

Started thinking, Oh No' Lowered my tire presure from 50 psi cold (max cold inflation) all the way around to 40 psi cold. Door sticker states 35 psi cold all the way around. I have Goodyear Wrangler AT/S Tires I think 265/75/R17.

I found that the truck now tracks better, does not require constant corrections and the vibration I was experiencing has greatly diminished. (with the lower psi the tire absorbs more) I was surprised, I usually run BFG's on my trucks and found that they handle better with the higher psi, as well as increase mpg's. I'm going to try 35 and see what happens. It must just be a GooDyeaR ThanG!......I also plan to take a look at the steering gear freeplay.

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2000 F-150 Lariat, Flareside, Black, SC, FOxFO, 5.4L, 4R70W TranZ, 3.55 Limited Slip Rear Axle, Garmin Street Pilot Color GPS, Bed Rug, ExTang Saber Tonno, CatchALL Floor Mat's, VentShade Visors, Limo BLaCK Tint'd Windows, PIAA Platinum Super White Headlight Bulbs with XTra Technology, FLoWMaSTer 40 Series MuFF, Mobil 1 5W-30 and Motorcraft 820-S Filter, SuperFReaKiN - FLiPCHiP Cal'd for Regular and Premium FueL,

Soon..............

AiRaID FIPK, Expedition Front and Rear Sway Bars, F-1 HooD, P305/75/R17 BFG KO's, 3" Body LiFT

www.tnugent.com/

 

Hmmmm....That's odd, we basically have the same truck but your door jam tag says 35 all the way around? Oh I see, yours is 4X4? That must be the difference. I'm still waiting to take mine back in to get it checked. Might as well wait for my 3k oil change, it's getting pretty close and I hate to give up my truck anymore than is necessary. Thanks for the info.

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2000 Lariat Flairside Supercab, 5.4, 3.55LS, towing package, captains chairs and cd changer,

 

I have a 4x4 too and the alignment was off. Take it to the dealer b4 12k miles. It still is troublesome w/ steering because the tire is wide. 275/60 I think.

Robert

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99 F150 Xtracab 4X4 XLT
5.4 liter Flairside
3.73 gears
all stock for now

 

I've got a 4x4 as well and the recommended psi is 35 all the way around. However, when I take it in to the dealer for service work they always seem to bump it up to 40 or 42 all the way around.

I've found that the higher psi's do help with the handling a bit. I try to keep them at low to mid 40's.

 

Check your steering gear adjustment screw on top of the steering gear box it takes a allen head wrench and a wrench! when it is tightened to much it will cause the wheels to wander and will not return back to center position when the wheel is turned or moved! if it is to loose it will have slack in the steering it takes a few tries to get it right a alighnment shop should be able to adjust it for you for a reasonable price if you dont want to attempt it your self