Derekf150

Maybe everyone is over thinking this problem. I experienced somewhat of the same rattle/looseness in the steering when going over bumps and associated it with the suspension. I went with fox 2.5 coilovers in the front and 2.0 in the rear along with hellwig anti sway bars front and rear. No more steering rattle not to mention the improved ride and handling. It's an expensive route, but it had to be done, or ride around in a truck I wasn't happy in. Everyone changes shocks, but overlooks the front spring and related bushings. Fox 2.5 coilovers addresses all of that, specifically for the lighter aluminum body. The 2.0 is set up for the heavier older bodies.

Derekf150

I looked into this a bit more. It is a know fact that the stock shocks suck and everyone changes them. Someone else characterized the ride perfectly... They said the truck was over sprung and under shocked. That is exactly how it felt. I went from stock to Bilstein 5100's front and rear... Immediate results. No more rear end hop.. Front was also better but I still had that loose/rattle over bumps. The front shock assembly dampens road vibration and sends what is left two places, up the top mount into the body and down the bottom into the steering. Putting a better shock helps, but you are still left with the spring and more important, the top rubber spring mount. I think this is where all the loose, mushy, rattling when hitting bumps comes from. If you compare a stock shock assembly to coilovers, coilovers get rid of the cheap rubber and use polyurethane. Rubber is naturally loose, polyurethane is firm and solid. I came from a BMW and Porsche background, and the first thing we do in suspensions is upgrade all bushings to polyurethane for a firm solid feel. Don't confuse solid and firm with rough, two different things. Solid and firm gets rid of loose and rattly. The fox 2.0 replaces the top rubber mount with polyurethane and the 2.5 goes a step further and uses an articulating bearing setup that eliminates that loose rattling sensation all together. The spring rate of the 2.5 is also specifically designed for the newer f150. I'm not pushing fox, other coilovers manufacturers use polyurethane, All I'm saying is my experience driving stock, to Bilstein 5100 with stock springs, to a complete new coilover setup (just happened to be fox) eliminated that loose rattling sensation going over bumps. I believe the source of this rattling looseness is that cheap stock top rubber spring mount.

dvcspl

Me as well. Only turning left.. even a SLIGHT left pull of the steering wheel will get this noise/rattle. Drives me insane.

meceres

Can the rubber mounts be replaced? By any chance do you have a part number or a better rubber mount part no. That we can replace them with?

JS21

I have a 2016 F150 Lariat that I purchased new last year. I too started getting the vibration in the steering wheel and pedal since about 10,000kms on the truck. I brought it in today (@ 20,000kms) and did a test ride with a tech. He felt the vibration in the steering wheel and pedal as well. I only notice this when coasting around town at lower speeds (i.e. 30-75 km/hr). He then told me to shift it to 4A mode and after about 3 seconds the vibration disappeared entirely. He then told me to shift it back to 2 wheel drive and boom there is the vibration again. I turned it back to 4A and after 3 seconds it disappeared again. He said it was a common problem in the trims that have the 4wd auto mode (4a) when the hubs do not fully disengage in 2wd and cause a grinding type vibration.

After searching other threads, this is a common issue with these systems. I believe 4auto is only available on the Larait trim and higher which explains why the XL and XLT trims might not have this issue.

Anyways long story short, the service manager said that because the vibration and noise is not loud enough or easy to diagnose exactly where it is coming from, I need to drive my $60k+ (CAD) vibrating truck until the issue gets worse...........

I dont even know what to do at this point.

Owltalk2u

There are two major threads to the issue of a "rattle" sound in the steering column. Ford does not want to address this issue, it appears, as it began in the new model 2011 F-150's, regardless of model or engine or options. I can't say all trucks are affected, only that there are 1,000's.

Here is where the first thread started in the earlier years:

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/steeri...4150/index217/

Bought my F150 Lariat super crew in Sept of 2011. It's totally stock except for new tires. My rattle appeared around 30K. The link above will show there are 1000's of us F150 owners, probably more that won't post issues, so Ford has a major problem. Their tech people on these boards are just here to listen, they can't fix this. Without digging too deep into threads I know it's still occurring in the 2016 year models, don't recall seeing it in the 2017's. No one on these 2 threads has reported a FIX.

Owners (and some dealers) have replaced what appears to be EVERY piece connected to the front suspension / steering units. Noise goes away for awhile, only to return in a couple 1000 miles. Many owners / dealers suspect it's the EPAS steering rack, made in China, totally sealed so repairs can't be made.

Just wanted to connect the thread for the earlier models to the newer thread.

Tarheelinms

Recently bought a 2015 SCrew FX4 Lariat with ~40k miles. After owning for about 2 Days I noticed a vibration in what feels like the steering column. Feels like it’s coming from behind where my left knee sits while I’m driving. I notice that it only occurs between about 1200-1400 RPM which makes me think it’s a harmonic thing, but it can be quite obnoxious when the radio isn’t on. I tried what a previous poster said about jiggling the steering wheel when the truck is off and I can reproduce a similar noise (although much slower). It is different than the knocking that some people are experience while turning. My problem occurs at specific RPMs while driving straight. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ixj159

So I’ve been lurking this thread for the past 2 months - signed up just to make this post.

purchased a 2015 screw mid-August with 17k miles. After two days of driving it, noticed the rattle referenced this throughout this thread.

Like others.... annoyed as all hell. I liked my trick but wanted to “love it”

like others.... took in to dealer - acknowledged the rattle and said “this is just how trucks drive”

like others.... tried to self diagnose, tightened every bolt I could find both around the steering under the hood and under the steering column - no help.

Finally bit the bullet and purchased the Billstein 5100s ($369 for all 4, $400 to install and align - I put backs on myself, set fronts at 1.26” lift)

PROBLEM SOLVED

I’ve got 400 miles on my new shocks in varying weather (from 50 to 83 degrees, because like others there was some sort of temperature In which the rattle would be more noticeable). I can also attest the ride is SOOO much better. Must more smooth and SUV like and the awful roll when getting on/off freeway ramps is gone.I ordered the Hellwig rear sway bar too - hasn’t came yet but will install next week and comment on any additional benefit with this on top of the billsteins.

I didn’t get my used front shocks back but when I took the backs off myself I noticed the first 3/4”-1” of compression when pushing together with your hands was clunky before the shock kicked in - I suspect that at least part of this issue causing the rattle (and the bouncing rear end also common)

At the end Of the day Ford should be ashamed. I dropped over $1,000 to fix this myself which is total bull****. The rattle was so annoying it was a safety issue too (for me at least) because I was paying more attention to trying to figure out WTF was triggering it when driving than paying attention to the road like I should be.

hope this helps someone. If your in a position to drop the cash just do it.

hotfx2

So glad to hear this! I purchased the 4 bilstein 5100 shocks this past week and looking to get installed in a few weeks, I really hope this helps!! Keep you all posted as well.

mjlepak

I have a 2015 that I purchased new in Feb of 2015. I have this rattle/hum. I get comments all the time about it and my sunroof rattle from my passengers.

You can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel as well as hear a audible hum. I can make the sound disappear or diminish by pushing and pulling hard on the steering wheel in opposite directions. It is the worst and most often in the 50-60mph range.

Mine is a 2015, platinum, super crew, 3.5 eco. It was taken to the dealer for both noises while under warranty. Neither issue was ever properly fixed and I now have 70k on my truck. It is very annoying but I have had to learn to live with it.