Hey everyone, I'm pretty new here but loving it so far! Question: I've got a 2010 XLT Crew cab. I bought it used and I believe it has a leveling kit. My problem is many times when I am driving and hit a bump or go over a bridge transfer the steering goes out. By that I mean if I am turning to the right and hit a bump the truck will jump left. Anyone have any similar problems or know of any fixes? Thanks in advance!
-J

 

Check the sway bar end links, tie rod ends, and ball joints. Then try getting the alignment checked.

 

And if you have a spacer leveling kit throw that junk in the garbage where it belongs before you start to have more serious problems.

 

He never said what size it is, so it could be one that is an acceptable height.

 

I'm not sure what size/style leveling kit it is, I bought the truck from a dealership with the kit already installed by the previous owner. I've been debating taking the leveling kit off and getting a real lift kit. But I don't want to have to buy a kit and get bigger tires, sometimes I think a truck looks off if it is lifted and the tires arent big enough. Do you guys think a lift kit would solve the problem?

 

Did you check all the steering components? And what do the angles for the ball joints and tie rods look like? A picture of those would be helpful.

 

I was below the acceptable height and it tore my front end all to hell. Iy's not just the size, it is also the articulation and operations within OEM components. IE upper control arms, lower control arms, and so on....

IMO take the spacers off! They are bad news and I will never recommend them to anyone.

 

PERFECT


I think you have a bad lower ball joint. My truck is doing this and they are the only components that are not brand new in the front. Our Local shop confirmed that my lower driver side is bad so I'm replacing them once they arrive via mail.

 

Didn't you run a 3" leveling kit before you switched to the 1.5" AS one? Couldn't that have already set all the problems in place and you just finally noticed them after the 1.5" install?

I'm well aware of how suspension geometry and articulation works. I just find it odd that your literally the only person on this site who seems to have a front end torn apart only from a 1.5" spacer, but I guess it's what they say, every truck and driver is different.

 

yes I did run a 3 inch for about 5K miles and that may have been the start to all of it. It developed the upper control arm and coil spring contact damage. This is when I knew the kit was way too much. So I decided on the 1.5 AS because it had the curve and it was one of the smallest lifts. I still had the same problem with the upper control arms and coil springs.

I decided to run the lift kit anyways because I really could not find any negative comments about it. I figured it would be fine if so many others are running them with no problems.

I'm not trying to bash anyone or criticize you in anyway. I doubt I'm the only person on the site to have problems with this style leveling kit. I believe others keep quiet about it to justify having it or not hearing others complain about them so the think it's just normal.

I've learned a lot about these lifts and I knew taking it off was the best thing for my truck.

OP try this test in order to see if you have bad lower ball joints.

 

1st post sums up how I feel these spacer kits work. http://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewt...?f=69&t=100329

 

Awesome, thanks for the info guys! Internet is down and I am moving into a new house right now so my time is pretty limited so I think I will just take it back to the dealer while its under warranty and have them check it out. Might get that factory trailer brake controller installed while its there!

Also I tried to pull a fast one on the ol lady the other day... "Baby, I keep reading on the forum that the spacer kit on my truck could really mess it up. I might have to get a lift kit so my suspension doesn't get messed up." "That sounds like a good idea dear." - worked like a charm!!!!