I have a 2003 F450 Ford with a custom made Aluminum flatbed. I carry a 2008 Arctic Fox 990 Truck Camper. I have new 19.5 tires, new swaybar links, and had the front end checked. I have problems with the truck wandering as we go down the road. Opinion on shocks helping reduce wander. it feels like I get a lot of side to side sway. I would think a F450 would be sprung heavy enough to not have side to side sway. Help appreciated.

or it could be that after so many miles some things have worn out creating slop.I have over the past few years replaced the upper and lover ball joints, the tie rods bushings and links, axle seal, steering damper and next of the list of stuff wearing out and needing replacing the steering box and power steering pump. But then again the 120,000 miles on the truck have all been towing or hauling heavy of some fairly bad roads so I expect it to take a toll on my 2003 F350

You have two separate problems then: wandering and side to side sway? Did you have this problem before or after the 19.5" tires? I've read lot's of comments about brand new 19.5" tires wandering a little when new and gradually that issue fades away. If the tires are at proper air pressure they should greatly reduce any tire related sway. This is just my opinion that I've noticed with car tires. If a tire has deep longitudinal grooves, like most 19.5" front steer tires do, the car will wander if the road has rain grooves cut in the road.

Have a look at your steering shock and get a good replacement. They wear out and just become an empty rod. Replacement with a good Rancho unit made a huge difference in mine.

I just had my upper and lower ball joints replaced. Much tighter control. The bottom joints had about 1/8" slop in them and freely rattled. The uppers weren't that bad but at 170K I changed them. All the other components were in good condition. If your tires have traction type tread, that could contribute. Are your tires inflated equally? Did you get a full front alignment? Toe in/out, camber, Steering wheel centered. Also, I once had a truck with tires that were a bit wide for the rims. They wore the center of the tread down but also always felt not quite right on the road.

Front end parts all checked and all tight, tie rod ends, Ball joints, sway bar links, shocks are original 120,000 miles and the steering damper has not been changed the steering box has not been adjusted. The tires are original size for a F450 and have 2500 miles on them now. Not sure about the side to side sway just seems like going down the road at 60 mph and the truck will wander and sway around on road,

Wandering Ford | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

dadwolf2
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
You have two separate problems then: wandering and side to side sway? Did you have this problem before or after the 19.5" tires? I've read lot's of comments about brand new 19.5" tires wandering a little when new and gradually that issue fades away. If the tires are at proper air pressure they should greatly reduce any tire related sway.

This is just my opinion that I've noticed with car tires. If a tire has deep longitudinal grooves, like most 19.5" front steer tires do, the car will wander if the road has rain grooves cut in the road.
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Apr 13, 2014
or it could be that after so many miles some things have worn out creating slop.

I have over the past few years replaced the upper and lover ball joints, the tie rods bushings and links, axle seal, steering damper and next of the list of stuff wearing out and needing replacing the steering box and power steering pump. But then again the 120,000 miles on the truck have all been towing or hauling heavy of some fairly bad roads so I expect it to take a toll on my 2003 F350

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Wandering Ford

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