Hey guys, I appreciate you dropping in and offering any advise possible. Here's a brief timeline of the truck:
7/2014 - Purchased 2014 6.7L F250 Lariat FX4 CCSB.
1/9/2015 - Installed no name 2.5” spacer leveling kit. (33k miles)
2/3/2018 - Installed 35x12.5x20 Toyo AT2s. (75k miles)
8/2018 - Installed ReadyLift 5” rear block kit for extra rake while towing. (81k miles)
6/2/2021 - Removed no name level. Installed ReadyLift 2.5” spacer level w/ sway bar drop brackets, track bar drop bracket, Fox 2.0 Shocks, and Fox 2.0 IFP Steering Stabilizer. (116k miles)
This is where the bad luck begins..
5/25/2022 - My uncle borrows the truck to haul his 26’ boat to the lake for Memorial Day weekend. It’s about a 170 mile trip each way. (129k miles)
6/3/2022 - The following weekend I join and haul said empty trailer back for him. During this trip I am starting to think the steering is somewhat loose.
6/6/2022 - After feeling very loose on way home from work I crawled under truck and to my surprise the steering stabilizer bolt on the passenger side that screws into the mount connected to the frame had come out. The shock was still connected to the drag link and hanging in place fully extended sticking out past sway bar drop bracket. At the same time I noticed a bunch of oily residue on the underside behind the fan and dripping all over steering linkage.
6/8/2022 - Purchased new bolt from Ford and had the off-road shop who installed new level and shocks reinstall the steering stabilizer. They said the shock was fine and not leaking. “No alignment needed.” The leak was from above somewhere in engine.
6/9/2022 - Took to Ford dealership to have inspected. Replaced a leaking vacuum pump seal and belt. CAC pipe had small crack and wanted to replace. I declined, if i had to replace might as well go with the S&B Cold Side Intercooler Pipe and install myself for same price.
6/14/2022 - Truck steering still not driving as should. Felt like slight pull to left and loose in general. Rolled it over to the Hibdon tire next to my work for an alignment check. Service advisor tells me I need to replace some warn out parts therefore no alignment was done. Said it needs a new track bar bushing and drag link. Said can't just replace bushings and ball joints for some reason..
I crawled under the truck to verify while I had someone quickly turn the wheel back and forth. I can confirm the track bar bushing has noticeable play. As well as the drag link ball joint connected to the pitman arm.
I'm thinking about having the following installed: new OEM drag link, remove RL track bar drop bracket, re-install Ford factory track bar bracket, install Carli adjustable track bar, install Carli 2.5" coil springs, and install Carli (SPC) 2* caster shims.
Questions:
1. Have you ever heard of a steering stabilizer bolt just falling out after being in place for 1 year/12k miles?
2. What is the average or estimated life span of the steering components on these 11-16 trucks?
3. Since I'm replacing 2/3 steering components should I look into replacing the tie rod ends assuming they'll be going out shortly?
4. If so, use OEM or go with MOOG, etc.?
5. Any other pointers/recommendations?
7/2014 - Purchased 2014 6.7L F250 Lariat FX4 CCSB.
1/9/2015 - Installed no name 2.5” spacer leveling kit. (33k miles)
2/3/2018 - Installed 35x12.5x20 Toyo AT2s. (75k miles)
8/2018 - Installed ReadyLift 5” rear block kit for extra rake while towing. (81k miles)
6/2/2021 - Removed no name level. Installed ReadyLift 2.5” spacer level w/ sway bar drop brackets, track bar drop bracket, Fox 2.0 Shocks, and Fox 2.0 IFP Steering Stabilizer. (116k miles)
This is where the bad luck begins..
5/25/2022 - My uncle borrows the truck to haul his 26’ boat to the lake for Memorial Day weekend. It’s about a 170 mile trip each way. (129k miles)
6/3/2022 - The following weekend I join and haul said empty trailer back for him. During this trip I am starting to think the steering is somewhat loose.
6/6/2022 - After feeling very loose on way home from work I crawled under truck and to my surprise the steering stabilizer bolt on the passenger side that screws into the mount connected to the frame had come out. The shock was still connected to the drag link and hanging in place fully extended sticking out past sway bar drop bracket. At the same time I noticed a bunch of oily residue on the underside behind the fan and dripping all over steering linkage.
6/8/2022 - Purchased new bolt from Ford and had the off-road shop who installed new level and shocks reinstall the steering stabilizer. They said the shock was fine and not leaking. “No alignment needed.” The leak was from above somewhere in engine.
6/9/2022 - Took to Ford dealership to have inspected. Replaced a leaking vacuum pump seal and belt. CAC pipe had small crack and wanted to replace. I declined, if i had to replace might as well go with the S&B Cold Side Intercooler Pipe and install myself for same price.
6/14/2022 - Truck steering still not driving as should. Felt like slight pull to left and loose in general. Rolled it over to the Hibdon tire next to my work for an alignment check. Service advisor tells me I need to replace some warn out parts therefore no alignment was done. Said it needs a new track bar bushing and drag link. Said can't just replace bushings and ball joints for some reason..
I crawled under the truck to verify while I had someone quickly turn the wheel back and forth. I can confirm the track bar bushing has noticeable play. As well as the drag link ball joint connected to the pitman arm.
I'm thinking about having the following installed: new OEM drag link, remove RL track bar drop bracket, re-install Ford factory track bar bracket, install Carli adjustable track bar, install Carli 2.5" coil springs, and install Carli (SPC) 2* caster shims.
Questions:
1. Have you ever heard of a steering stabilizer bolt just falling out after being in place for 1 year/12k miles?
2. What is the average or estimated life span of the steering components on these 11-16 trucks?
3. Since I'm replacing 2/3 steering components should I look into replacing the tie rod ends assuming they'll be going out shortly?
4. If so, use OEM or go with MOOG, etc.?
5. Any other pointers/recommendations?
