Steering Damper to stop wheel jerking.

[TDGFordGuy]

Everytime I hit a large bump with my 2013 EL on only one side of the truck, the steering wheel wants to jerk out of my hand and the truck tries to change lanes.

Anyone know of a steering damper that will fit?

I've owned 2 other 3rd Gens and they didn't drive like that.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Everytime I hit a large bump with my 2013 EL on only one side of the truck, the steering wheel wants to jerk out of my hand and the truck tries to change lanes.

Anyone know of a steering damper that will fit?

I've owned 2 other 3rd Gens and they didn't drive like that.

I don’t know if a steering damper will fit - but I’d bet you have some type of front suspension problem (worn or damaged parts). Are your tires inflated to the recommended pressure? Have you modified or “lifted” the suspension?

 

[TDGFordGuy]

I don’t know if a steering damper will fit - but I’d bet you have some type of front suspension problem (worn or damaged parts). Are your tires inflated to the recommended pressure? Have you modified or “lifted” the suspension?

You mean those 40" Micky Thompsons will change how it handles?

 

[TDGFordGuy]

I don’t know if a steering damper will fit - but I’d bet you have some type of front suspension problem (worn or damaged parts). Are your tires inflated to the recommended pressure? Have you modified or “lifted” the suspension?

But seriously, maybe damaged /worm lower ball joint? I get a strange clunk noise if I go over bumps while turning left from the front right side.

 

[Yupster Dog]

But seriously, maybe damaged /worm lower ball joint? I get a strange clunk noise if I go iver bumps while turning left from the front right side.

Check your swaybar links.

 

[07navi]

Ball joints will do that.

 

[Expedition Dave]

Take it to professionals to replace your worn, broken or damaged parts. Then you can add your 10 inch coil spring lift, 80 inch mudders, and rear wheel steering damper

 

[ExplorerTom]

3rd gens have a rack and pinion steering system, therefore no place for a steering damper.

Fix those balls joints.

 

[TDGFordGuy]

3rd gens have a rack and pinion steering system, therefore no place for a steering damper.

Fix those balls joints.

Well, There's a couple companies that make a bolt on for same year F150. But they all say won't fit the Exp as a bolt on. Tempted to buy one through Amazon and check fitment. Drilling a coupke holes in the k rail is no biggie. But if total not fit, then can return to amazon.

But ya, sounds like I need to take to a good front-end shop. Those are hard to find in SF's East Bay Area.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I’ve never seen a damper on a rack and pinion. Not even sure where it would go.

 

[TDGFordGuy]

Not lifted. Just the Limited Edition metalic Gray for 2013. Not really sure how Limited the paint color was cause my 2013 Taurus is the same color and it was a fleet vehicle owned by CA DMV.

 

[Jeremygsu]

How worn are your shocks?

My '15 was doing this badly with 68k on the clock and stock shocks. I recently swapped to new KYB Excel G struts/shocks at 68k and it virtually eliminated the problem unless the bump is real bad then it still does it a little bit.

 

[07navi]

How worn are your shocks?

My '15 was doing this badly with 68k on the clock and stock shocks. I recently swapped to new KYB Excel G struts/shocks at 68k and it virtually eliminated the problem unless the bump is real bad then it still does it a little bit.

Sounds like a band aid, it shouldn't jerk with worn out shocks.

 

[TDGFordGuy]

Ok, did some snooping on the Ford-Truck Enthusiast forums; found pics of dampers on R&P F-150 that were lifted. Dropping the lower A arm made room for the damper. Not so in my stock 4x4 Exp. Even if I could mount it (possibly) there just isn't enough vertical clearance between the steering arm and the lower A-arm if the wheel was shoved up to full-travel stop position. It would be risky to have it crammed in there. There's a little front-end shop down the street; I'll get my 1st estimate. Then to a shop in the next town that has a that city's vehicle maintenance/repair contract. Then the the bend-me-over Dealer.

 

[TDGFordGuy]

Take it to professionals to replace your worn, broken or damaged parts. Then you can add your 10 inch coil spring lift, 80 inch mudders, and rear wheel steering damper

Should look something like this after those upgrades:

 

[ExplorerTom]

Steering dampers are for fixing issues with LARGE, heavy tires. If you’ve got problems with small tires, you’ve got other issues.

 

[07navi]

Steering dampers are for fixing issues with LARGE, heavy tires. If you’ve got problems with small tires, you’ve got other issues.

I agree, dampers would just mask the problem.

 

[Expedition Dave]

This thread is beginning to feel...

 

[Jeremygsu]

Sounds like a band aid, it shouldn't jerk with worn out shocks.

There are a number of complaints of this with brand new Expeditions on the Gen 4 section so I don't know what would cause it. Can't imagine worn out steering dampers on new ones, but many are complaining of prematurely worn out shocks, some as little as 7k on them getting replaced. Seems to align?

 

[TDGFordGuy]

There are a number of complaints of this with brand new Expeditions on the Gen 4 section so I don't know what would cause it. Can't imagine worn out steering dampers on new ones, but many are complaining of prematurely worn out shocks, some as little as 7k on them getting replaced. Seems to align?

Sounds like struts are a quick simple way to start. If the bump steer persists, I'll check ball joints/linkage, then on to R&P unit. Have air-ride on the rear (which I personally love) so only 2 struts to replace.