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1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

Rough Ride cause?

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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 10:37 AM
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Default Rough Ride cause?

Okay so I own a 1999 F150 XLT Supercab 4.6 V8. Got the truck 3-4 weeks ago, rough ride for sure. Got the lower front ball joints changed out, new sway bar links, and an idler arm replaced, which was the bulk of my noise issues in the front end. But I still have a rough ride, especially around 35-45 MPH and when at interstate speeds. It has 3 aftermarket Eagle alloys with some very used mud tires AND the driver's side front wheel is the spare tire rim with a new-ish all-terrain tire. Could this be my issue (maybe a balance issue)? Or am I looking at maybe bad U-joints or something?

Thanks!
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 10:52 AM
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Generally a "rough" ride on these trucks is caused from over cranking the torsion bars causing the suspension to be too "tense"

The things you listed would cause more of a vibration or wobble.
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:52 AM
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Can you explain how cranking the bars would make it "rough riding"? I just don't understand if the vehicle weight stays the same its only adjusting ride height
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:53 AM
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^youre putting more tension on the bars...happened when i cranked the bars on my ranger
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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But how? The weight on the bars stays the same
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 11:59 AM
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yes but cranking the bolt adds tension on them which then equals a stiffer ride because you are making them stiffer
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 12:01 PM
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But by turning the actual t bar it rotates the a arm to ride higher not stiffer
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 12:39 PM
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Have you ever rode in a truck with the tbars maxed out..?
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 12:49 PM
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^i have haha...rides like a brick
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 12:50 PM
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LOL ... sometimes can't take an answer for what it is..to the OP try some new shocks after you get new rubber.
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