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Pinpoint Test A : Abnormal Steering Wheel Oscillation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

  1. A1 CHECK AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT

    NOTE: Inspect for aftermarket modifications to the wheels, tires, steering, suspension and chassis. Remove any oversized wheels and tires, lift kits, leveling kits, wheel spacers, steering kits or other non-OEM suspension components from the vehicle as these components can directly contribute to this condition.

    • Inspect for aftermarket modifications to the wheels, tires, steering, suspension and chassis.

    Are any aftermarket components installed (Oversized wheels and tires, lift kits, leveling kits, wheel spacers, steering kits or other non-OEM suspension components)? 

    Yes  RETURN the vehicle to the customer and advise the vehicle needs to be returned to the factory configuration.
    No  GO to  A2

  2. A2 CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURES AND TIRE CONDITIONS

    • Check the tire pressures. Refer to Vehicle Certification (VC) Codes REFER to: Identification Codes . Check the tires for uneven/abnormal wear. Refer to Symptom Chart: Tire Wear REFER to: Wheels and Tires .

    Are the tire pressures and tire conditions OK? 

    Yes  SWAP the tires and wheels from a known good unit and RETEST. If the concern is still present, GO to  A3
    No  ADJUST the tire pressures to the specified pressure or INSTALL new tires as necessary.

  3. A3 ROAD FORCE BALANCE THE TIRES AND WHEELS

    • Using the Hunter Road Force 9700 Series Wheel Balancer or equivalent, verify that each tire does not exceed more than 35lbs of road force with pressures at 60 to 65 psi or 45lbs of road force with pressures at 70 to 80 psi. REFER to: Wheels and Tires .

    Does any tire and wheel assembly exceed the road force specification? 

    Yes  Use the match mounting process to help reduce excessive road force and retest. If the road force still can not be reduced by match mounting the tires, replaced the suspect tire and or wheel and RETEST. If the concern is still present, GO to  A4
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  GO to  A4

  4. A4 CHECK FOR STEERING DAMPER LAG/LASH

    • Inspect the steering damper for signs of fluid leakage.

    • Remove the steering damper and place the steering damper in the vertical position so the tapered stud is at the top and the bushing is at the bottom.

    • Place a socket extension or screw driver through the bushing of the steering damper and stand on it.

    • By hand, slowly extend and compress the damper 2-3 cycles. Check for lag/lash at the fully extended position and the half damper travel position.

    Is any leakage noted or lag/lash greater than 5mm is observed? 

    Yes  REPLACE the steering damper and RETEST. REFER to: Steering Linkage Damper - F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550, 4WD . If the concern is still present, GO to  A5
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  GO to  A5

  5. A5 CHECK THE SEALING BOOTS

    • Inspect the condition of all sealing boots on the steering linkages and track bar. Check for any components with signs of damage (tears, cuts, holes) to the sealing boots.

    Is any component or sealing boot damage noted? 

    Yes  REPLACE the damaged component(s) as necessary and RETEST. If the concern is still present, GO to  A6
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  GO to  A6

  6. A6 CHECK THE TRACK BAR BALL JOINT AND BUSHING

    • Inspect the track bar ball joint and bushing for lash and any boot seal, cuts or tears.

    Is any lash or damage present? 

    Yes  REPLACE the track bar ball joint and/or bushing and RETEST. REFER to: Track Bar Ball Joint . REFER to: Track Bar Ball Joint - Vehicles With: Integral Ball Joint . . REFER to: Track Bar Bushing . If the concern is still present, GO to  A7
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  If no damage is present, have an assistant turn the steering wheel left and right rapidly (Key On, Engine OFF) and inspect for side-to-side track bar ball joint and/or bushing movement. The full weight of the vehicle should be placed on the wheels when performing this procedure. Listen for any popping or knocking noise indicating end-play in the ball joint. Next inspect for vertical movement of the track bar relative to the axle as shown in the WSM, Front Suspension - 4WD under ball joint inspection > step 10 through step 12. Per the WSM, replace the ball joint if more than.025" of end-play is measured. REFER to: Track Bar Ball Joint . REFER to: Track Bar Ball Joint - Vehicles With: Integral Ball Joint . If no deflection is noted, remove the bolt securing the track bar to the frame-mounted bracket and inspect the bushing for cracking or damage. If any damage is noted, replace the bushing. REFER to: Track Bar Bushing . Verify the bolt is torqued to 550Nm with the vehicle at a curb position when reinstalled. RETEST. If the concern is still present, GO to  A7
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.

  7. A7 CHECK THE SECTOR SHAFT ARM DRAG LINK

    NOTE: By design, there is a 1 to 2 degree rotational movement present in the drag link that will be observed as 1-2 mm of vertical movement when pushing on or rotating the tie rod offset (turnbuckle adjuster). This movement is characteristic due to the internal spring design (shown below) and should not be considered as a bad joint.

    • Provide a solid mounting location for a dial indicator and using the dial indicator measure axial lash of the ball joint (Both axial and radial lash are related, a measurement of axial will also serve as a surrogate for radial lash).

    • Compress the ball joint with a pair of adjustable pliers.

    Is the axial lash greater than 0.025"? 

    Yes  REPLACE the drag link. RETEST. REFER to: Sector Shaft Arm Drag Link - F-250/F-350/F-450/F-550 . If the concern is still present, GO to  A8
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  REPEAT this test for the outer drag link ball joint. If the axial lash is greater than 0.025", replace the drag link outer. RETEST. REFER to: Front Suspension . REFER to: Tie Rod End . If the concern is still present, GO to  A8
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.

  8. A8 CHECK THE TIE ROD

    NOTE: By design, there is a 1 to 2 degree rotational movement present in the tie rod that will be observed as 1-2 mm of vertical movement when pushing on or rotating the tie rod offset (turnbuckle adjuster). This movement is characteristic due to the internal spring design (shown below) and should not be considered as a bad joint.

    • Provide a solid mounting location for a dial indicator and using the dial indicator, measure axial lash of the tie rod ball joint (Both axial and radial lash are related, a measurement of axial will also serve as a surrogate for radial lash).

    • Compress the ball joint with a pair of adjustable pliers.

    Is the axial lash greater than 0.025"? 

    Yes  REPLACE the tie rod. RETEST. REFER to: Tie Rod End . If the concern is still present, GO to  A9
    If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  GO to  A9

  9. A9 CHECK THE BALL JOINTS FOR EXCESSIVE DEFLECTION.

    • Inspect the upper and lower ball joints for excessive deflection. REFER to: Suspension System .

    • Provide a solid mounting location for a dial indicator and using the dial indicator, measure deflection of the ball joint(s) (Both axial and radial lash are related, a measurement of axial will also serve as a surrogate for radial lash).

    Is the deflection greater than 0.025"? 

    Yes  REPLACE the ball joint(s). RETEST REFER to: Ball Joint . If the concern is still present, GO to  A10
    No  GO to  A10

  10. A10 CHECK THE SHOCK ABSORBERS

    • Raise the vehicle on a frame lift (no weight on the wheels).

    • Remove the lower shock mount attachment from the axle.

    • Manually extend and compress the shock absorber with the upper mount still attached to the frame.

    Is constant resistance felt during this test? 

    Yes  GO to  A11
    No  REPLACE the shock absorber(s) RETEST. REFER to: Front Shock Absorber . If the concern is still present, GO to  A11

  11. A11 CHECK THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT

    Is the wheel alignment within specification? 

    Yes  If the alignment is within specification and the steering wheel oscillation concern is still present, utilize the appropriate alignment bushings to adjust the individual casters as low as possible while still remaining within specification and maintaining a cross-caster of.5 degree less on the left side. Toe in should be set to.05 degrees per side + /-.25 degree and RETEST. If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
    No  ADJUST the alignment as necessary. Utilize the appropriate alignment bushings to adjust the individual casters as low as possible while still remaining within specification and maintaining a cross-caster of.5 degree less on the left side. Toe in should be set to.05 degrees per side + /-.25 degree and RETEST. If the concern is resolved, RETURN the vehicle to the customer.
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