Ford F-53 Steering & Suspension problems 2003
Suspension/Steering issues, F-53 Chassis, 2003 (Ford F-550 equiv.)
After doing quite a bit of online research, I have found numerous issues/complaints that are common to other F-53 RV chassis owners:
- The vehicle steering wanders, requiring constant steering correction.
- The vehicle swayed excessively when driving over uneven pavement such as in construction zones, detours, etc.
To resolve these suspensions problems, the following is sequential list of the thing that I have accomplished over an 11 year period to completely solve all the above issues:
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At the 2 year old point…..
Installed the Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer to the front axle. Parts: $430 + Labor: 1 ½ hrs.
Installed a Davis TruTrac Bar Steering Stabilizer. Parts: $400 + Labor: 1 ½ hrs.
RESULTS: Much improved, but not near perfect.
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At the 3 year old point…..
Installed the Air Lift - Load Lifter 5000 Air Bag suspension system #57140 & #57410. Parts: $808 + Labor: 4 hrs.
(NOTE: The Davis TruTrac Steering Stabilizing had to be removed to mount the Air Lift bags, subsequently it was found out that this originally was a waste of money)
RESULTS: THE VEHICLE NOW PERFORMED PERFECTLY!
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At the 10 year old point, the original steering/suspension problems returned.
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At the 11 year old point…..
Replaced all six (6) tires. Parts: $3,150 Labor: 1 ½ hrs.
Installed a new BILSTEIN steering stabilizer with mounting kit to the front axle and 4 new BILSTEIN shock absorbers. (The previous Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer has a lifespan) Parts: $622 + Labor: 2 hrs.
RESULTS: Slightly improved, but far from perfect.
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At the 11 1/2 year old point…..
Online, I was able to find a Ford Technical Safety Bulletin….. Ford F-53 TSB #04-11-2, dated 06/14/2004. This TSB addressed the same exact steering/suspension problems. Technically, the TSB changes the geometry of the F-53 sway bar and drop links. The kit/parts were obtained through the Ford dealer and/or ordered online. The Ford dealer performed the installation per the TSB instructions. Parts: $60 + Labor: 2 hrs.
RESULTS: THE VEHICLE NOW PERFORMS PERFECTLY AND FLOATS DOWN THE ROAD! A wheel alignment was not even necessary.
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TOTAL COST FOR ME OVER 11 YEARS: Parts: $5,470 + Labor: 12 ½ hrs. ($1,250 +/-) = $6,750
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC COSTS TO FIX THE ABOVE UNDERLINED ISSUES/PROBLEM(S): Parts: $1,490 + Labor: 8 hrs. ($800 +/-) = $2,290
------------------------------------------------------------------------
After doing quite a bit of online research, I have found numerous issues/complaints that are common to other F-53 RV chassis owners:
- The vehicle steering wanders, requiring constant steering correction.
- The vehicle swayed excessively when driving over uneven pavement such as in construction zones, detours, etc.
To resolve these suspensions problems, the following is sequential list of the thing that I have accomplished over an 11 year period to completely solve all the above issues:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the 2 year old point…..
Installed the Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer to the front axle. Parts: $430 + Labor: 1 ½ hrs.
Installed a Davis TruTrac Bar Steering Stabilizer. Parts: $400 + Labor: 1 ½ hrs.
RESULTS: Much improved, but not near perfect.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the 3 year old point…..
Installed the Air Lift - Load Lifter 5000 Air Bag suspension system #57140 & #57410. Parts: $808 + Labor: 4 hrs.
(NOTE: The Davis TruTrac Steering Stabilizing had to be removed to mount the Air Lift bags, subsequently it was found out that this originally was a waste of money)
RESULTS: THE VEHICLE NOW PERFORMED PERFECTLY!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the 10 year old point, the original steering/suspension problems returned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the 11 year old point…..
Replaced all six (6) tires. Parts: $3,150 Labor: 1 ½ hrs.
Installed a new BILSTEIN steering stabilizer with mounting kit to the front axle and 4 new BILSTEIN shock absorbers. (The previous Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer has a lifespan) Parts: $622 + Labor: 2 hrs.
RESULTS: Slightly improved, but far from perfect.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the 11 1/2 year old point…..
Online, I was able to find a Ford Technical Safety Bulletin….. Ford F-53 TSB #04-11-2, dated 06/14/2004. This TSB addressed the same exact steering/suspension problems. Technically, the TSB changes the geometry of the F-53 sway bar and drop links. The kit/parts were obtained through the Ford dealer and/or ordered online. The Ford dealer performed the installation per the TSB instructions. Parts: $60 + Labor: 2 hrs.
RESULTS: THE VEHICLE NOW PERFORMS PERFECTLY AND FLOATS DOWN THE ROAD! A wheel alignment was not even necessary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COST FOR ME OVER 11 YEARS: Parts: $5,470 + Labor: 12 ½ hrs. ($1,250 +/-) = $6,750
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC COSTS TO FIX THE ABOVE UNDERLINED ISSUES/PROBLEM(S): Parts: $1,490 + Labor: 8 hrs. ($800 +/-) = $2,290
------------------------------------------------------------------------
