Unstable steering E350

[NCMODELA]

Hi all. I have a 2011 E350 EB with 24k miles. It wants to wander all over the place and I feel like I’m always chasing it. Like I have brand new mud tires on it. It gets real bad when I get a specific distance behind a semi truck. It wags all over the place. It’s like when you roll a rear window down and you hear the womp womp womp from the wind. The van literally goes side by side in that pattern. If a semi truck comes up on me the back end feels like it breaks loose. It’s almost like I’m towing a trailer with no sway control.

I have been told that these need 5+ degrees of caster. I read to get the Ingalls 59400 bushings but they don’t look like they are available anymore. Any suggestions?

[saline]

Buffeting from following a semi and dealing with the pressure wave coming off of the front of one are always noticeable. But, it sounds like you have something else going on. Is it a 4x4? If so what kind? How are you loaded?

[NCMODELA]

Hi. It’s not a 4x4. Stock E350 15 passenger van. Not loaded with anything. It has 23k miles on it so all suspension stuff should be tight. 10 ply tires aired to 55/75. Ironton tires.

[mikracer]

I would take it to a good alignment shop and ask them to max out the caster and check the other specs and even ball joint play.

[NCMODELA]

Ok. Correct me if I am wrong but I read these come with fixed caster bushings that are non adjustable and that was why I needed the Ingalls one?

[TomsBeast]

A few other things to add to the list to check:
Rear axle U bolts
Lug nuts for tightness
Tire pressure (with a different tire pressure gauge than the one you used last)
Pitman arm nut

[Phish]

Mine was the same. I got the front end done and it was an incredible difference. I have a 4x4 quigley and it was night day with the handling.

[Orv]

Make sure they check the toe. I've had two E-series vans now that had their road manners greatly improved by a toe adjustment. Some alignment books give a really wide range that allows for toe-out, but in my experience there has to be a small amount of toe-in for them to track properly.

[Komrade]

This thread may have alternative Moog parts compatible with your van. Please note, tapatalk posted whole note, I meant to share link. Nonetheless, part links below.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...5&share_type=t


Threads found on caster adjustment on this forum

This one talks about getting shofter arms
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...lved-8390.html

This one talks about getting caster really high (6-7). Very informative read, although the poster has high lift (6")
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...r-19400-3.html


Also, this is a very long but worthwhile read (on another forum). The thread is mostly about steering stabilizer (adapted off an E450), but it talks about increasing caster to 5% for maximum comfort (e.g. post #508 and beyond)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-fix-34.html

post #517: Alignment bushings that might be needed to help with increasing caster: NAPA 158986 or Moog 8986 or Ingalls 594s

post #525: caster does not affect tire wear. Only camber and toe

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...reversing.html

Having too little positive caster will manifest itself as "loose steering" and "wandering" at highway speeds.

Ford ships the E series with +3 to +4 degrees of caster. You want to add 2 degrees to have +5 to +6 degrees. Google "E350 Handling" or "E350 Caster" for lots of info.

Estimating caster w/o going to the shop
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...al-camera.html

At this point I am somewhat "sold" on the caster idea, provided all other parts are in good shape.

Other link
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/ind...?topic=78950.0

Couldn't find on Ingalls, but found recommended Moog K8986 parts on amazon. Ordered them and will bring them to alignment shop. Can always return if not needed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C560IE/

[NCMODELA]

Ok. Thank you. I’m addition I already have the rear seat bar added too. I had a 12 passenger same year and it was never this bad. I didn’t know if it was because it was a EB