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has anyone else heard bout this flaw?

5.0Flareside

5.0Flareside

GingaNinja
14,463
384
La Vergne, TN
i was talking to a friend bout his new 09 F150 and i asked if he had notice any flaws he said yeah a pretty big one also. the right rear tire sticks out bout 3/4's of an inch further than the left rear. i looked and he wasnt kidding it was really noticable. he said he took it to the dealership and said they couldnt do anything cause Ford hasnt recognized it as an issue yet. so has anyone else heard bout this issue? i was just wondering if it was common or not.
 

Dirky

1,320
82
Perhaps its a factory offset to keep all the bearing caps/needle's in the universal joint moving...

The way you describe it sounds like the offset is major, but 3/4" wouldn't be that noticeable. An alignment shop should make sure the front and rear wheels are tracking properly. Does the truck "dog tail" when he drives it (rear end pulls to a side?)
 
5.0Flareside

5.0Flareside

GingaNinja
14,463
384
La Vergne, TN
Eagle-460 said:
Perhaps its a factory offset to keep all the bearing caps/needle's in the universal joint moving...

The way you describe it sounds like the offset is major, but 3/4" wouldn't be that noticeable. An alignment shop should make sure the front and rear wheels are tracking properly. Does the truck "dog tail" when he drives it (rear end pulls to a side?)
Click to expand...
no it drives just fine. and on some other forums i was looking this up and it appears it is very very widespread. one guy had his truck at the ford dealership and Ford sent out someone and he realigned the bed and that made the truck look like it was dog tailing. and lots of other people are taking there trucks to dealerships and they are saying nothing is wrong with the truck. its insane. sounds like a HUGE!! design screw up.
 
john112deere

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
405
central Vermont
nflfreak43 said:
its insane. sounds like a HUGE!! design screw up.
Click to expand...

Why?

Assuming everything else lines up right, what's it matter if the rear axle is slightly offset?
 
blacksnapon

blacksnapon

Moderator
Staff member
9,461
301
waynesville,mo.
Think about the dynamics of the suspension, how it moves and flexes. The springs are mounted with bolts and bushings. The springs will torque and flex with the loads that change as the terrain changes. 3/4 to an inch side to side movement wouldnt be unusual. The movement has to be in there because if it were tighter, squeaks, rattles, and excessive wear would happen. All of the manufacturers build in this "flaw". Ever follow behind a Chevvy pickup with the bed lower on one side than the other? Because the Ford's frame is so much stiffer, it needs more of this movement to soften the ride. It wont cause any undue problems.
 
polarbear

polarbear

just growing older not up
12,878
607
Boring, Oregon
blacksnapon said:
Think about the dynamics of the suspension, how it moves and flexes. The springs are mounted with bolts and bushings. The springs will torque and flex with the loads that change as the terrain changes. 3/4 to an inch side to side movement wouldnt be unusual. The movement has to be in there because if it were tighter, squeaks, rattles, and excessive wear would happen. All of the manufacturers build in this "flaw". Ever follow behind a Chevvy pickup with the bed lower on one side than the other? Because the Ford's frame is so much stiffer, it needs more of this movement to soften the ride. It wont cause any undue problems.
Click to expand...

We had one Suburban where the left side was about 1/4" higher than the right. Really noticed it because it had barn doors. Same story- Chevy rep even looked at it "normal." If it doesn't affect the reliability or driveability, and falls within factory norms, it's not even considered a flaw.

Think back on that other horrible flaw in the '04 and '05's- the dreaded "bed shake." Never mind that it's normal, had lotsa owners up in arms,
 
emtzach

emtzach

i get paid to do this
542
28
Woodburn Indiana
Think back on that other horrible flaw in the '04 and '05's- the dreaded "bed shake." Never mind that it's normal, had lotsa owners up in arms,[/QUOTE]

my 05 did that bad especially on I5 near the dome in tacoma concrete slabs of road:rotz:
 

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