Intermittent Rubbing When Turning

[LakeRun21]

Hi All,

Truck: 2021 F150 2.7L Lariat 4WD

I’ve been experiencing this for 3 winters now. It feels like intermittent rubbing in the steering wheel when turning at low speeds. Maybe a faint rubbing sound. Only seems to happen when temps are under 45 degrees. It’s not every time I turn, but it seems to be occurring almost daily in the winter.

I called my dealer and they said it’s not IWE because 2021+ are electronic and not vacuum. They also won’t do anything unless I can replicate it for them. Unfortunately, the one time I tried with a tech in the truck I wasn’t able to reproduce the behavior.

Any ideas what the issue is? Should I just ignore it?

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[Porpoise Hork]

Check the front fender liners. One is likely tweaked a little bit and is hitting the tire causing the rubbing sound.

 

[LakeRun21]

Check the front fender liners. One is likely tweaked a little bit and is hitting the tire causing the rubbing sound.

The rubbing only occurs during the winter, so I’m not sure how it would be the fender liners. They seem to be in normal condition.

 

[Boen]

Possibly colder weather the plastic is more stiffer , Just a Idea

 

[md2000]

On my 2024 both front fender liners came slightly bent in that at over 75% turn the wheels would grab the corner and rub. Sounded like I was dragging a box under the truck. I had enough and just drilled a small hole and black zip tied that thing. Lame fix for a brand new spendy truck but beats dealing with Ford dealer in the interim…..

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi All,

Truck: 2021 F150 2.7L Lariat 4WD

I’ve been experiencing this for 3 winters now. It feels like intermittent rubbing in the steering wheel when turning at low speeds. Maybe a faint rubbing sound. Only seems to happen when temps are under 45 degrees. It’s not every time I turn, but it seems to be occurring almost daily in the winter.

I called my dealer and they said it’s not IWE because 2021+ are electronic and not vacuum. They also won’t do anything unless I can replicate it for them. Unfortunately, the one time I tried with a tech in the truck I wasn’t able to reproduce the behavior.

Any ideas what the issue is? Should I just ignore it?

Hello! Send us a private message with your VIN and current mileage. Allow me to see what I can do to assist. Thanks!

 

[Porpoise Hork]

The rubbing only occurs during the winter, so I’m not sure how it would be the fender liners. They seem to be in normal condition.

Mine does it too in winter below 40F and only when the wheels are at full left lock. When I investigated it the source was from the passenger tire slightly rubbing the lower part of the fender liner. Once it heats up to 45-50F it stops rubbing because the liner expands causing it to shift slightly and the tire no longer rubs against it.

Have someone get in and turn the steering wheel and roll forward when it starts rubbing have them stop the truck and poke your head up in there and see what's rubbing. Or go a few weeks without washing it and look for the spot where it's rubbed.

 

[Kanuck]

My winter tires would rub on a tight turn and my summers would not. Both sets were factory size....265/70/R18's. I found the beefier side lugs of the winters would rub on the inner fender liner when turning hard left or right. I would turn tight to lock and then back the wheel off a 1/4 turn...problem solved.

 

[FLPB]

Dealer replaced my fender liner for the same reason. Front passenger liner was deformed on the front left side causing the stock tire to rub at full lock left in reverse.

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