fx4f-150

Guys i have a big problem. Glad i caught this thread but theres so many answers. I have a 2011 fx4 that i just put bilstein 5100s on to level. The shocks rode great for a week now all of a sudden im getting the popping in the wheel. Notice it most when i put but both hands on and flex my arms on it a little.. Im freaking out!! Will ford cover this issue? I dont think its the leveling. Also with the temperature thing, today was one of the warmest days this year so far. I dont know what to do

theApoc

The general consensus seems to be that this is cause by a problem with the lubrication in the steering rack(the part number can be found in multiple posts), however, there has never been an official answer from Ford and pretty much every who has had this part replaced(some people multiple times), say that the problem is fixed for a while but in time, especially in higher temperatures, the nibble/pop/rattle felt when holding the steering wheel returns.

It is NOT your leveling kit, not if you are having the same issue as the countless people such as myself who did not make that modification. As of today there does not appear to be a permanent solution and there has been no real word from Ford. My advice is to read through the first 20 or so pages of this thread, you will find lots of reference and the actual part numbers(i think there are pics on page 23). I would take as much information as possible to your dealer and see if there is anything they can do. Maybe if enough dealers start to complain a REAL solution for this issue with be found.

Good luck, welcome to the board.

wernst

Well after 2 months and 1326 miles, my second rack has started to develop the popping again. Truck was perfect and felt great after the second rack was installed.. There is no question in my mind that Ford F150 2011 models and newer are being built with defective racks. http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2011_F150_EPAS.pdf

For all potential F150 owners, don't buy these trucks until Ford addresses their problem with this rack. DON"T BUY UNLESS A POPPING/THUMPING in your steering wheel is okay with you.

I too went to the dealership when my truck first started doing this (1600 miles on odometer). They told me they had never heard of this issue. In my opinion, there are too many trucks with this issue for Ford to have no knowledge of it.

Brownb2110

Is there anyone around the Atlanta area dealing with this issue and has addressed it with a dealership? I am going to take my truck in and would prefer to take it to a dealer that has already fielded complaints on this issue.

Wiseguy29

Guys make sure you call "ford" not just a dealer and file the complaint. Ford will log this and follow up with the dealership and you to make sure it's been fixed. This will be the only way for a permanent fix.

Brownb2110

Deleted

Brownb2110

I have the same truck(about 1,600mi) and started having the same issues around 600 mi. If you don't mind, what did they say/do when you took it to the dealership?

fx4f-150

Have had shaft replaced and now there doing the rack today. Let you know what happens

Gradall

Be prepared for possibly one or more "replacement racks" there is an updated rack that is only identified by a certain date code. (I'm not sure what or where the code is) I'm on my third rack and the first one (factory installed) was the old part number. The next one was also the old part number before the new part was released. The next one was a new rack with the updated part number but a bad date code. Now she's in the shop waiting for an updated date coded rack. Hopefully this will end the thumping.

Brownb2110

That is good to know....first time I've heard that they've identified a bad date series. I filed a complaint with Ford and they communicated that they were not aware of any issues. Hopefully this issue is not new news to the dealer I am taking it to.