Steering

[jdkinzenbaw]

Guys,

My truck seems like the steering is a lot slower on it than the last Chevy 3/4-ton I had.

There's nothing wrong with it; it functions as designed, but it just seems like the steering turns a lot more slowly, so parking the same size truck in the parking lot is more of a chore than it was with my Chevy.

Anyone else noticed this, or made any changes to their steering system?

Like I say, it's working fine, I'd just like to speed up the steering response a little. It would help on the highway too, in my opinion.

[indy-1989]

TEST DROVE A NEW 2011 CHEVY 1 TON PICKUP, IT STEERED ALOT EASIER THAN MY 2008 F250.

[bigsakius]

i have noticed this too to an extent. I think the reason could be the steering wheel diameter is pretty big compared to my 00 SD and that of a '11 Ram.

[Porthole]

GM's in general have always had a higher power steering assist. Makes steering easier. Some complain that it takes away some of the road feel.

[mook]

my understanding is that its the ratio not the amount of assist.

[mowdoc]

GM has used variable ratio steering for decades. Ford still uses constant ratio steering gear. You are absolutely correct, the Ford requires more turns of the wheel to make a turn than GM does. This will wear your a$$ out in parking lots, barn yards, off roading or any close quarter manuvers.

This is my biggest complaint on the Ford truck. I though I would get used to it but after 8k miles, I have not.

GM also uses an auto locker axle that requires no input from the driver. No switch on the dash to pull, it just happens. This feature really saves on tire wear as my Ford is just about ready for tires at 8k miles!! ( I will admit there seems to be a problem with the 20 inch Michlen tire package) I ran my tires 45k on the GM trucks. It is almost impossible to get going quickly or with heavy trailer without slipping a tire on the Ford unless I manually lock the axle. My GM trucks never spun unless I asked them to.

I still like the Ford Super Duty much better than the GMs I have had but if Ford really wants to kick some butt, they should take another look at the steering ratio and the locking axle.

[jdkinzenbaw]

Originally Posted by mook

my understanding is that its the ratio not the amount of assist.

Exactly. The 2011 have a nice light steering that's not hard at all, it just takes a lot of turning to get it parked in a crowded lot... more so than my Chevy did with the same general wheelbase (crew cab shorty).

Oh well. I can deal with that. What I don't like is the panicky feel of the brakes... Ford should rethink how that's designed. The truck will always stop, but on a busy interstate when one of those $#@%$# little cars whips in front and hits the brakes, it can be hard to stop in time.

Oh well. Maybe the idiots that drive those little cars need to be rear-ended. Problem is, my insurance company would kill me over it.

Just venting...

All the above being said, the rest of this truck is incredible. Love it. Wouldn't go back to a Chevy at this point. Minor nags I can deal with for now. Maybe when the brakes start to wear, I'll find a way to upgrade them.

[jdkinzenbaw]

Originally Posted by mowdoc

GM also uses an auto locker axle that requires no input from the driver. No switch on the dash to pull, it just happens.

I've got the locker switch on my dash, too. If I pull that out, does it continually lock the rear end, or just when it needs it?

I'd be tempted to just leave the switch pulled out but I'll bet it's an all-or-nothing switch, not an auto deal.

[mowdoc]

Nope, you don't want to pull the locker on and drive on good traction. You could do this off road or on snow but if there is good traction, you will damage the axle if you leave it locked. It may be that the locker releases automaticly at speed but when you slow down to make turns and it would lock back up.

As far as the brakes go - - they improve a lot with mileage. My truck had the same panic feel until around 2k miles. They got much better by then and continued to improve as I put miles on the truck. At 8k miles they are as good as the GM brakes. Another thing I notice is they do not "dust" the wheels like Ford brakes have in the past. I believe Ford changed the compound in the pads for less dust and better wear. I think the pads will last a long time because of how long it takes them to "seat".

As I said earlier, the steering is hard to get used to after driving GM for many years. I thought I would adapt, but not yet.

All this said, I'm keeping my Ford, I still like it best.

[jdkinzenbaw]

Well, hopefully mine still have some improving to do. I'm at 9,000 miles on my truck and the brakes still don't hold a candle to what I had on my '05 Duramax. Oh well. I don't really need to stop anyway...