So My wife and I had some issues that we listed with our 2018 5.0 XLT and booked it in for those to be addressed and to get a synth oil change done (it was just over 9000km). Advised them of the rattle from the transmission, rough downshift when its cold out (we let the truck warm up and don’t punch it or anything like that until we see the trans is warmed up). A bit of a whine when it was warming up, sounding like a diesel when cold, steering wheel making some noise when turning (thought maybe it was the clockspring).



Dropped the truck off Monday afternoon and was supposed to be ready for Tuesday but found out the left strut had to be replaced (I guess it was defective from the factory and was part of the reason for the noise) so they held onto it until Thursday. Picked it up and they got everything done except for the slight noise in the steering wheel that they didn’t have time to get done (which is ok as it mostly went away) and they figure it could be a trim piece that needs to be adjusted so we will take it back later on in April but they didn’t change us for the synth oil change and tire rotation due to taking longer then expected. We could have grabbed a rental but didn’t need it as we have a second vehicle. The TSB seems to have fixed our rattle like the TSB said which I know some folks have complained that it didn't work.



Good service and kept us in the loop with what was going on but I will say the truck feels 1000% better now. Everything just feels tight and the way it should feel IMO.

 

That's good to hear. The Ford factory shocks (or, dampers, as they're also known) aren't much to begin with. I did drive an '18 XLT rental, though, and I noticed some improvement. Still, they're inexpensive at best. That's how they can save a dollar or two which amounts to millions considering how many F150s are built.

If, after 15,000 - 20,000 miles (whatever kmeters that is) you find the truck's body roll when cornering or the nose dive when braking, or the rear axle hop over uneven road surfaces is bothering you, step up to a set of good, aftermarket shocks. A good "damper" is the black art of suspension tuning, and one such as Bilstein can improve your truck's driving dynamics in ways you cannot imagine.