Steering - Steering Wheel Oscillation After Wheel Impact
TSB 07-10-1005/28/07
STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION
FORD:
2005-2007 F-Super Duty
This article supersedes TSB 07-5-7 to update the Parts.
ISSUE
Some 2005-2007 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit steering wheel oscillation (back and forth motion), immediately following front or rear wheel impacts (i.e. pavement joints, frost heaves, rough roads, etc.). Steering wheel motion is typically in the range of +/- 5 degrees, and typically dampens out in fewer than five oscillations. This condition occurs mostly on F-250/F-350 4X4 vehicles, and is more evident on trucks equipped with a gas engine.
ACTION
Refer to the following Service Procedure to minimize the steering wheel oscillations on impacts, however, there may be some remaining minor oscillation which would be considered normal.
SERVICE PROCEDURE SUMMARY
1. Set tire pressure and road test vehicle to evaluate vehicle before proceeding with further repairs. If issue is resolved, do not proceed with the rest of this TSB.
2. If concern still exists, install a new steering damper (frame-mounted bracket and steering damper assembly on F-250/F-350 4X4 applications only). For F-250/F-350 4X2 and all F-450/F-550 applications, inspect damper for leaks and replace if necessary, torque steering and suspension fasteners per Workshop Manual (WSM).
3. If concern still exists, check front alignment and reduce front caster.
4. Replace redundant control steering wheel (if equipped and vehicle built prior to 10/8/2004).
VEHICLE INSPECTION - TIRE PRESSURE
1. Set tire pressures as indicated on the vehicle label (located on driver's door label).
NOTE
SETTING TIRE PRESSURE TO DOOR SPECIFICATION IS ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURES IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. LOWERING TIRE PRESSURE WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE WORSE.
ROAD TEST
1. Ask customer what type of road surface and speed generates the steering wheel oscillation.
2. Road test vehicle on similar road surface and speed, to gain a feel for the customer's issue.
3. If no issues are identified during the road test, do not proceed with the rest of this TSB.
STEERING DAMPER
INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT AND
STEERING/SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE
CHECK
F-250/F-350 4X4 Applications:
1. Remove existing steering damper and frame attachment bracket.
2. Replace steering damper and frame mounting bracket with steering damper and frame bracket.
3. Attach steering damper to frame bracket and torque bolt to 76 lb-ft (103 N.m).
4. Assemble bracket and shock assembly to the frame with attachment bolt retainer pointing to rear of vehicle. Torque frame bracket nuts to 59 lb-ft (80 N.m).
5. Attach other end of shock to the steering drag link and torque to 66 lb-ft (90 N.m).
6. Install damper bolt cap to assure a friendly surface for the battery cable in case of casual contact.
NOTE
CHECK SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT TO THE FRAME BRACKET AND DAMPER ASSEMBLY TO ENSURE THAT BATTERY CABLES ARE NOT CONTACTING BRACKET/BOLTS/DAMPER. ALSO, VERIFY THAT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES HAVE CLEARANCE TO THE DAMPER DUST SHIELD.
F-250/F-350 4X2 And All F-450/F-550
Applications:
1. Wipe down and inspect the steering damper. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to cycle the steering damper and inspect for leaks.
a. If leaks are present, install a new steering damper.
Steering/Suspension Fastener Torque Check (4X2 And 4X4)
1. Check torques on the following steering and suspension fasteners and adjust to specification as required (see following Table).
NOTE
ADJUSTING TORQUE ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION FASTENERS IS VERY IMPORTANT IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. FASTENERS THAT ARE IMPROPERLY TORQUED WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE WORSE.
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND REDUCE FRONT CASTER
NOTE
OSCILLATION ISSUES RESOLVED BY WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE WARRANTED FOR 12/12 ONLY, REGARDLESS OF OTHER STEPS PERFORMED.
Measure wheel alignment. Verify that front caster, camber, and total toe are within specification. Adjust as required. Refer to the WSM, Section 204-00 for complete alignment specifications.
REDUCE FRONT CASTER
^ Note the current front caster.
^ Use alignment adjustment bushings to reduce front caster by 0.5 to 0.75 degrees. The caster setting may be at the lower end of the specification as long as the vehicle drives smoothly. Do not put caster setting below the lower specification limit. Use alignment adjustment bushings.
F-250/350 4X4:
^ 5C3Z-3B440-CCC (0.5 degree bushing)
^ 5C3Z-3B440-DDD (0.75 degree bushing)
^ 5C3Z-3B440-EEE (1.0 degree bushing)
F-450/550 4X4 and 4X2:
^ 5C3Z-3B440-HHH (0.5 degree bushing)
^ 5C3Z-3B440-JJJ (0.75 degree bushing)
^ 5C3Z-3B440-KKK (1.0 degree bushing)
F-250/350 4X2:
^ 5C3Z-3B440-C (0.5 degree busing)
^ 5C3Z-3B440-D (0.75 degree bushing)
^ 5C3Z-3B440-E (1.0 degree bushing)
For All 4X4 and for F-450/550 4X2:
^ Rotate the alignment adjustment bushing so that the bushing hole is in the 45 degree forward and inboard position. (See Figure 1)
^ This should lower the caster, while keeping the camber within the specification range. If the camber is not in the specification range than rotate the alignment adjustment bushing as needed.
^ The final caster and camber settings must be within the specification limits.
^ Maintain the current front camber, cross-camber and cross-caster settings as close as you possibly can.
^ Adding weight behind the rear axle lowers the rear of the vehicle, which decreases the frame angle, which in effect increases caster.
For All F-250/350 4X2:
^ Observe the camber position of the alignment bushing that is currently in the truck and attempt to maintain that position while moving the caster position forward in the truck.
^ The final caster and camber settings must be within the specification limits.
NOTE
CASTER SETTING IS VERY IMPORTANT IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. INCREASING THE CASTER SETTING WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE WORSE.
REPLACEMENT OF REDUNDANT CONTROL STEERING WHEEL - Vehicles Built Prior To 10/8/2004 Only
NOTE
THE REPLACEMENT STEERING WHEEL WILL CONTAIN THE REDUNDANT CONTROLS.
1. Remove driver air bag assembly. Refer to WSM, Section 211-04 for complete instructions.
2. Remove the steering wheel.
3. Install new steering wheel.
4. Reinstall driver air bag assembly.
5. Re-set clear vision as required.
NOTE
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO SECTION 211-04 OF THE WSM FOR COMPLETE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE STEERING COLUMN.
Parts Block
NOTE
LABOR OPERATIONS IN THIS TSB CAN BE CLAIMED TOGETHER.
NOTE
OSCILLATION ISSUES RESOLVED BY WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE WARRANTED FOR 12/12 ONLY, REGARDLESS OF OTHER STEPS PERFORMED.
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
071010A 2005-2007 F-Super Duty: 0.4 Hr.
Check Tire Pressure, Road
Test To Verify Repair,
Concern Resolved, Return
To Customer (Do Not Use
With 1007D, 3001A,
3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A)
071010B 2005-2007 F-Super Duty: 1.4 Hrs.
Check Tire Pressure, Road
Test To Verity Repair,
Concern Not Resolved,
Check Steering Damper
Replace If Necessary,
Verity Proper Torque On
Steering Components,
Road Test If Concern Is
Resolved Return To
Customer (Do Not Use
With 1007D, 3001A,
3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A)
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 1.9 Hrs.
250/350 4X2 DUAL REAR
WHEEL: Check And Adjust
Front Wheel Alignment,
This Labor Operation Can
Be Claimed With Operation
B Only (Do Not Use With
1007D, 3001A, 3001A1,
3001A6, 3600A)
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 1.5 Hrs.
250/350 4X2 SINGLE
REAR WHEEL: Check And
Adjust Front Wheel
Alignment, This Labor
Operation Can Be Claimed
With Operation B Only (Do
Not Use With 1007D
3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6,
3600A)
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 1.8 Hrs.
250/350 4X4 SINGLE
REAR WHEEL: Check And
Adjust Front Wheel
Alignment, This Labor
Operation Can Be Claimed
With Operation B Only (Do
Not Use With 1007D,
3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6,
3600A)
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 2.1 Hrs.
250/350 4X4 DUAL REAR
WHEEL: Check And Adjust
Front Wheel Alignment,
This Labor Operation Can
Be Claimed With Operation
B Only (Do Not Use With
1007D, 3001A, 3001A1,
3001A6, 3600A)
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 2.3 Hrs.
F450/550 4X2/4X4 DUAL
REAR WHEEL: Check And
Adjust Front Wheel
Alignment, This Labor
Operation Can Be Claimed
With Operation B Only (Do
Not Use With 1007D,
3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6,
3600A)
071010D 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 0.7 Hr
With Redundant Steering
Control Built Prior To
10-8-2004: Replace
Steering Wheel, Includes
Time To Depower And
Repower The
Supplemental Restraints
System Can Be Claimed
With Operation A Or B (Do
Not Use With 1007D,
3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6,
3600A)
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
(OPERATION A) NPF 82
(OPERATION B) 3E651 42
(OPERATION C) FRONT W6
(OPERATION D) 3600 42
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