Rubbing front wheel hub assembly

[nscoggi]

Hey everyone. This is my first post here but hoping someone can help. First a bit of background. In April I traded my 2012 Fx4 5.0 (280,000 miles) on a 2023 XLT 4x4 3.5. From day 2 I had concerns about the suspension and ride quality that have only gotten worse. In fact, I prefer to drive my 2012 Smart Fortwo and only drive the truck when extra room is needed. After 7 failed attempts at getting the issue resolved, I’m starting to wonder if maybe the ride quality/handling is just that bad. The dealer always says the truck is operating as designed and that other F-150s on the lot are the same, etc. Even when I pointed out the wheel hub assembly (see attached picture) is rubbing the housing, they respond with “it’s supposed to do that”. If you look at the picture you can see how at the bottom of hub assembly is grinding away, as the other parts are still strait edged as they were from the factory. Does anyone else’s truck do this?? If so is it normal?

Also, has anyone else experienced handling/suspension issues as I have? Are they all that bad? If so what are recommendations to remedy? I’m thinking about aftermarket suspension, but obviously don’t want to spend the extra money on that unless others have seen positive results from doing so.

Any help is much appreciated so thanks before hand!

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[astro_fusion]

That hub part of the IWE assembly that you think is grinding away is not. That is how the part is designed and delivered from the factory.

What are some of your "poor ride" symptoms?

I've got a pretty hard time understanding how a decade old smart car rides better than a modern F150.

7 attempts, go to a different dealer, you're literally insane by definition.

 

[nscoggi]

It is very difficult to explain. I think the most obvious symptoms are an extremely harsh rear end (it feels like it bounces around and wants to change the direction of the truck). Then excessive body roll. The longer/harder you turn the more the truck “slides” around a corner (feels as though it’s sliding at least). Another complaint is the steering feel is different every time I drive it. As in the amount of force it takes to turn the wheel and the feedback felt. Though that’s not really too big of a deal. Figured it’s something to do with software as it doesn’t happen in sport or eco mode.

Haha I may have exaggerated a bit. The smart car by no means drives better, more like as expected for a golf cart with almost 200k on the odometer.

And I’ve been too three different dealers. One acknowledged it felt “funny” but wasn’t enough to go on as they can’t throw parts at it since Covid and limited availability for parts. Told me to that we would continue to monitor to see if the problem progressed. The mechanic also added that a (I forget exactly what it’s called) throttle response controller (plugs in under the dash and can be removed as needed) may alleviate some of my complaints. Not to be confused with a tune as this doesn’t add HP and was told would not void the warranty.

Thanks for the clarification on the part. I’ve never seen that before, or noticed at least. Just trying to rule things out.

 

[astro_fusion]

If your truck has the HD/max tow package it will have a traditional leaf pack for the rear suspension vs the mono leaf and overload spring the non HD trucks get, that could cause additional rear end harshness.

Some trucks also have adaptive steering that you eluded to, it does exactly what you described in corners until you get used to it. Easy one hand turns in parking lots and slow speeds, but firm at highway speed or in sport. If you're accelerating hard enough through a corner, the threshold where the steering assist changes and it does feel like you end up correcting for it throughout the corner.

These trucks are hard to slide unless you've got all the traction controls off, and even then they will try to engage it if you get too sideways for too long. Maybe you mean they push? You turn the wheel more and the truck doesn't respond, just wants to go straight? In my miles with these trucks that seems to be more of the case.

 

[HammaMan]

What's your tire pressure / wheel size? The sponginess you're feeling in turns is a combination of slip angle where the tire's side becomes a part of the contact patch, combined with a soft suspension and lack of swaybar on the rear end. Try taking your front tire pressure up to 40 psi cold. You could go up to 44 psi to see how it goes. Adding a rear sway bar also changes street handling considerably.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

It is very difficult to explain. I think the most obvious symptoms are an extremely harsh rear end (it feels like it bounces around and wants to change the direction of the truck). Then excessive body roll. The longer/harder you turn the more the truck “slides” around a corner (feels as though it’s sliding at least). Another complaint is the steering feel is different every time I drive it. As in the amount of force it takes to turn the wheel and the feedback felt. Though that’s not really too big of a deal. Figured it’s something to do with software as it doesn’t happen in sport or eco mode.

Haha I may have exaggerated a bit. The smart car by no means drives better, more like as expected for a golf cart with almost 200k on the odometer.

And I’ve been too three different dealers. One acknowledged it felt “funny” but wasn’t enough to go on as they can’t throw parts at it since Covid and limited availability for parts. Told me to that we would continue to monitor to see if the problem progressed. The mechanic also added that a (I forget exactly what it’s called) throttle response controller (plugs in under the dash and can be removed as needed) may alleviate some of my complaints. Not to be confused with a tune as this doesn’t add HP and was told would not void the warranty.

Thanks for the clarification on the part. I’ve never seen that before, or noticed at least. Just trying to rule things out.

can’t compare the ride of a TRUCK with an empty bed with that of a car with a 200k wore out suspension.

if you want a car ride, sell the truck

However…..that axle seal deal is BS they aren’t all like that. That crap isn’t right. Your dealer is blowing smoke in your backside

 

[Ricksc]

Add a rear sway bar and better shocks

 

[NMMIKE]

I added Bilstein gas rear shocks and it stops the rear end from bouncing around. Search and U will see a lot about these shovks

 

[nscoggi]

If your truck has the HD/max tow package it will have a traditional leaf pack for the rear suspension vs the mono leaf and overload spring the non HD trucks get, that could cause additional rear end harshness.

Some trucks also have adaptive steering that you eluded to, it does exactly what you described in corners until you get used to it. Easy one hand turns in parking lots and slow speeds, but firm at highway speed or in sport. If you're accelerating hard enough through a corner, the threshold where the steering assist changes and it does feel like you end up correcting for it throughout the corner.

These trucks are hard to slide unless you've got all the traction controls off, and even then they will try to engage it if you get too sideways for too long. Maybe you mean they push? You turn the wheel more and the truck doesn't respond, just wants to go straight? In my miles with these trucks that seems to be more of the case.

If your truck has the HD/max tow package it will have a traditional leaf pack for the rear suspension vs the mono leaf and overload spring the non HD trucks get, that could cause additional rear end harshness.

Some trucks also have adaptive steering that you eluded to, it does exactly what you described in corners until you get used to it. Easy one hand turns in parking lots and slow speeds, but firm at highway speed or in sport. If you're accelerating hard enough through a corner, the threshold where the steering assist changes and it does feel like you end up correcting for it throughout the corner.

These trucks are hard to slide unless you've got all the traction controls off, and even then they will try to engage it if you get too sideways for too long. Maybe you mean they push? You turn the wheel more and the truck doesn't respond, just wants to go straight? In my miles with these trucks that seems to be more of the case.

thanks for the reply. I don’t believe mine has the Max towing package. There is just the one that spans the full length with a helper in the middle. I attached a pic to be sure. And yes push would be a better description of the cornering feel. It definitely doesn’t instill much confidence on corner entry.

 

[nscoggi]

What's your tire pressure / wheel size? The sponginess you're feeling in turns is a combination of slip angle where the tire's side becomes a part of the contact patch, combined with a soft suspension and lack of swaybar on the rear end. Try taking your front tire pressure up to 40 psi cold. You could go up to 44 psi to see how it goes. Adding a rear sway bar also changes street handling considerably.

Tires are 275/65/18. Cold pressure is 35 psi. I’m going to try increasing the pressure as you suggested and see if that makes a difference. On the topic of tires and Contact patch, I just had another alignment done at the dealer. I attached the spec sheet. Not really sure what the norm on these trucks is but it was a bit out of spec.

 

[nscoggi]

can’t compare the ride of a TRUCK with an empty bed with that of a car with a 200k wore out suspension.

if you want a car ride, sell the truck

However…..that axle seal deal is BS they aren’t all like that. That crap isn’t right. Your dealer is blowing smoke in your backside

That was my thoughts too initially. Weird thing is Both the driver and passenger side are worn away in the same spot, which would make you think maybe it is as designed. Just have absolutely no clue what the purpose could be.
And I know I know. Get a truck expecting a Cadillac, but I’ve driven 4x4 f-150s since I started driving. 99, 07, and 2012. All great trucks so I don’t think I’m expecting too much out of it, but then again it’s the first brand new vehicle I’ve owned so not saying that isn’t a possibility.

 

[LFRoss]

And yes push would be a better description of the cornering feel

Seeing as you’ve had multiple ford trucks in the past I assume you are driving in 2hi correct? Not 4hi. You mentioned your last truck had 4auto which is not the same.
I have a crew cab 4x4 and have never felt like the truck pushes through a turn

 

[jhelrey]

The ball joint looks like it's loose.

 

[Sean80]

Mine looks exactly like the one in the photo

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

The ball joint looks like it's loose.

nope, all look like that. It’s pressed in from the bottom. It’s seated at the bottom.

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