Roadmaster Active suspension in a long bed

[travisN000]

It'd be nice if someone made a panhard bar for the trucks. That'd do wonders for keeping the rear end tracking straight and true. I've come up with a neutral geometry if any knows a company that can make them at scale for a reasonable price.

From google:
https://blog.bds-suspension.com/?p=24947

https://www.vasfab.com/product-page/2021-f150-traction-bar-kit

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[HammaMan]

From google:
https://blog.bds-suspension.com/?p=24947

https://www.vasfab.com/product-page/2021-f150-traction-bar-kit

Traction bars hold it front to back, pan hards hold side to side (the better version is called a watts link for some reason). This is an example, but a poor one. A good bar has a proper center pivot instead of creating a curved rotational profile

This is a better design

Leaf springs allow quite a bit of side to side movement of the rear axle when cornering or towing. It keeps the truck planted much better from trailer sway or cornering forces. When trailering in specific it plants the truck much better in sway events as the rear axle movement isn't contributing to oscillation and oscillation inducing feedback.

 

[UGADawg96]

I've developed a squeak from the rear when hitting uneven surfaces and when turning. It sounds like an old ass truck or trailer with old rusty leafs. Not sure if it is the RAS or the pucks on the leafs or something else. Only really notice it when empty, so don't think it is the pucks. Really don't want to remove the RAS to determine if it is that or not. Wondering if anyone else has this issue.

My RAS does this. I contacted them and they said it is NOT normal and suggested I remove it and clean the leaf contact areas thoroughly. They said grease shouldn't be needed, but might help.

Also make sure it is not contacting the ride height sensor by the drivers side leaf (if you have one); after my initial install I had to remove and swap sides to avoid it contacting one of the RAS bolts. RAS suggested moving the the bolt location near the block to effectively shorten the side plates, but I had already removed and swapped sides to the bolt head was facing it and not the threads.

Well, that is exactly it. When I looked down from around the passenger tire side, it looked normal a few days ago... but this morning, I crawled under the bumper and holy sh!t.....

Passenger side:

Driver's side:

yeah, I figure I need to flip them and maybe buy two new sensor mounts at some point. And yes, RAS needs to put some clarifications both in their instructions, but also on their site. I've emailed them with pictures and will let y'all know if I hear back.

Removed the RAS today instead of flipping sides and all the squeak noises are gone when turning over uneven ground. The ride also seems softer/smoother with no load. I may or may not put RAS back on.

 

[Snakebitten]

How tight did you have them set to with truck empty?

On smooth tarmac I could do without them. But I can't avoid a couple of bad roads and another couple of railroad crossings everyday, all of which drive me nuts with the oem double-dance back there.

I don't mind feeling road irregularities. It's not a Buick. But I just want to feel them once, if you know what I mean.

However, NOISE would drive me crazy more. So if RAS starts razzing me, it's going to get stripped and lubed, or whatever it takes to quiet it back down. I've yet to hear anything from it. But I have it set pretty lightly. About 7 turns. Snug enough to stay where it is, but only influencial if the leafs are actually moving up/down.

 

[UGADawg96]

How tight did you have them set to with truck empty?

On smooth tarmac I could do without them. But I can't avoid a couple of bad roads and another couple of railroad crossings everyday, all of which drive me nuts with the oem double-dance back there.

I don't mind feeling road irregularities. It's not a Buick. But I just want to feel them once, if you know what I mean.

However, NOISE would drive me crazy more. So if RAS starts razzing me, it's going to get stripped and lubed, or whatever it takes to quiet it back down. I've yet to hear anything from it. But I have it set pretty lightly. About 7 turns. Snug enough to stay where it is, but only influencial if the leafs are actually moving up/down.

There are a few parking lots around town with nice approach angles that would always make them squeak, but no sound today. Quiet as our Odyssey. And just to make sure, I entered the lot from both sides and exited both ways to test all the articulation.

When setting it during install with the leafs at full hang, I had used the white 25% disc and had it set so there was a little friction, but it went between the coils no issue. After lowering the truck back on the tires, the white disc went between the coils with no friction at all and the black 40% disc didn't fit at all. That raised the back wheel well 1 inch. I have no idea how many turns that was. Install was almost a year ago. https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/ras-w-scales-smart-hitch.7587/post-238862

When we were on a trip back in the fall up to VA, we had to cross a small ditch to park on the side of a road. I think that is when it broke the scales bracket tabs due to axle articulation in the ditch trying to get completely off the road and I think it has squeaked ever since. I recall hearing something pop at the time, looked around, but couldn't see anything odd. It wasn't until later that I noticed the squeaking.

 

[Snakebitten]

That recommended install (thin disc) was ignored since my mission was very different than what the apparatus was designed for.
I really was just wanting to "tune" the leaf/shock relationship with an empty truck. A fairly subtle use of RAS.

About 1/4" lift on the rear.

Of course I can use them for the manufacturer's intended purpose when the truck is being tasked with a heavy burden.

 

[travisN000]

I did finally get around to removing and cleaning the contact points on my RAS, and all the noise is now gone. I've had them off road a few times and so far the dirt hasn't made the noise come back.

When I re-installed mine I went bit tighter, since I have a load in the bad most of the time now. I don't know the exact setting, but the white disc fell right through the spring spaces and now resides inside one of the springs permanently. I think it was pretty close to a mid point between the two discs, but instead of using a disk to make them match I grabbed an old spark plug gap tool to avoid feeding them anymore plastic chips...

 

[HammaMan]

I did finally get around to removing and cleaning the contact points on my RAS, and all the noise is now gone. I've had them off road a few times and so far the dirt hasn't made the noise come back.

When I re-installed mine I went bit tighter, since I have a load in the bad most of the time now. I don't know the exact setting, but the white disc fell right through the spring spaces and now resides inside one of the springs permanently. I think it was pretty close to a mid point between the two discs, but instead of using a disk to make them match I grabbed an old spark plug gap tool to avoid feeding them anymore plastic chips...

Consider cleaning them really well and applying a dry lubricant so as to not attract finer dirt.

 

[UGADawg96]

Well, that is exactly it. When I looked down from around the passenger tire side, it looked normal a few days ago... but this morning, I crawled under the bumper and holy sh!t.....

Passenger side:

Driver's side:

Does anyone know the parts number if I wanted to order these two brackets online ?

 

[UGADawg96]

Does anyone know the parts number if I wanted to order these two brackets online ?

Or does anyone know how to get the part numbers without going up to a parts counter at a dealership ?

 

[Snakebitten]

I'd be happy to look for stampings on the height sensor brackets, if I had them.
My height sensors are built into the shock body in the rear of the truck. So no brackets are necessary.

 

[UGADawg96]

I'd be happy to look for stampings on the height sensor brackets, if I had them.
My height sensors are built into the shock body in the rear of the truck. So no brackets are necessary.

oh, you think my brackets have markings with PNs ? I'll check when I can. Thx!

 

[Snakebitten]

oh, you think my brackets have markings with PNs ? I'll check when I can. Thx!

Mostly just wondering.
Parts often have something stamped on them, or a tag of some kind.

 

[UGADawg96]

Mostly just wondering.
Parts often have something stamped on them, or a tag of some kind.

I'm at work, but found this in Travis' pic earlier in this thread. Does this help ?

 

[Snakebitten]

It certainly indicates there information stamped on the bracket.
I'm guessing we will need to take one off the truck and get full disclosure?

Looking for a format matching a Ford part #
Something like xxxx xxxx xx

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