Drive Quality Question

Discussion in 'Raptor Maintenance' started by digitalarchitect, Oct 6, 2020.

Car Parts
  1. digitalarchitect

    digitalarchitect Member

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    Hi all,

    New to me raptor owner here (2018 with 40k miles) and had a question about the drive quality you experience with yours.

    Took the truck for the test drive before I bought it and thought it rode great. Completed the purchase and headed home.

    After driving it for a few days though the novelty has worn off quickly. The ride quality does not seem that great, and when on the highway I'm feeling some vibrations in the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and seat at speed - even when going slow. Compared to what I'm reading I thought it's supposed to be smooth.

    Took it to get rebalanced today and that seemed to help a bit, but I think the tires are already cupped and may need replacing.

    I'm wondering if I'm just too perceptive of the bumps? It feels like I'm going over gravel even on smooth pavement.

    Anyone in the Salt Lake City area with a Raptor willing to take mine for a spin and let me know how it compares? Would love to know if I'm off base.

    Thank you for your help! I want to love this dream car of mine badly, but I can't just yet.

    Cheers,
    digitalarchitect
     
  2. Vikes91

    Vikes91 Well-Known Member Military

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    I've been told by tire shops the BFGs can be tricky to balance. I had a truck previous to the Raptor that I fought with that for over 2 years. Then they realized one of the rims was slightly bent from the get go.
     
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  3. bravo3eco

    bravo3eco Full Access Member

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    If the tires had a weird treadwear, why wasn't an alignment done?
     
  4. digitalarchitect

    digitalarchitect Member

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    Thank you for the responses!

    I've been reading the same in a lot of forum posts - that even if a balance is done they may not be right. I think I may take it to a different shop and check/rotate all the tires. The front have definite cupping along the inner edge, and the back two look fine.

    An alignment wasn't done because the dealer who sold me the vehicle coordinated with a shop to balance the tires as that was the thought for the initial issue. At this point, I'm keen to just buy new tires, get them balanced on my stock wheels, ensure the rims aren't bent, chuck em on and get an alignment done so I can sleep easy. I'm just afraid of putting $1k+ in on a truck I just bought that may not fix the issue - but I made the bed I need to sleep in it.

    Took it out again tonight and I can feel the suspension working over bumps and holes, but it's at the micro level where I'm getting vibrations all the time that make the car undriveable. Dealership said this is what trucks do...but I've owned F150's before and I never had an issue like this.

    I have a few neighbors in my garage that have Raptors. May ask them if I can take a spin around the block with them and do a comparison.

    Any other feedback or advice is welcomed! I keep hearing about how great the drive quality is, but sadly mine is lacking. Found this thread earlier as well which describes something akin to what I'm experiencing.

    https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/is-it-my-tires.60467/

    Thanks all!
    digitalarchitect

    Found this thread as well. Watch a man delve into insanity - I feel like I may experience the same. https://www.f150forum.com/f118/2018-steering-wheel-vibration-shake-hwy-speeds-437904/
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
  5. bravo3eco

    bravo3eco Full Access Member

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    Your problem is 100% an alignment issue. Get that done, then put the poorly worn/cupped tires on the back. Problem solved.
     
  6. digitalarchitect

    digitalarchitect Member

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    Hi @bravo3eco. Thank you for the recommendation. Just came back from the shop - performed the alignment, rebalance to all 4 tires, checked all bushings, and rotated the cupped tires to the rear. Drove it around a bit, and the issue still persists.

    Not sure what else to do at this point. I'll try to take another Raptor out for a test drive and see if it vibrates similarly, and if it does I'll chalk it up to the drive quality. If it's better, I have more recon to do.

    Only thing left I can imagine causing vibrations like this are wheel bearings and suspension. Road quality does determine vibration amount, so I don't think it's driveline related.

    Thanks for all the help - will update as I know more.

    Cheers,
    digitalarchitect

    IMG_20201007_181324.jpg
     
  7. UtahRaptor

    UtahRaptor New Member

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    Hey,

    Fellow SLC area owner. I could check yours out and we can go for a spin in mine if you want?
     
  8. digitalarchitect

    digitalarchitect Member

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    That'd be great! I'll DM you and we can arrange a time. Thanks for your help!

    Matt
     
  9. Turning Blue

    Turning Blue New Member

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    You may need to get the shocks rebuilt. I've heard of many who need it done around 40k to 45k miles who do. If the previous owner(s) drove it hard off road, that may be what's needed. Good luck!
     
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  10. UnstableReaction

    UnstableReaction Active Member

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    The only time I experienced a problem like this was when I swapped my Tundra rims for some Moto Metal aftermarket. I tried to balance shot them 4 times before I gave up and lived with some roughness. I would not think stock rims would have the same issue.
     
  11. Aandrews109

    Aandrews109 Active Member

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    This may sound silly, but I haven't seen where anyone mentioned tire air pressure. Not sure if you're running OEM KO2's that are Load range C or maybe some replacements in E-Range. Every time I go to a tire shop, they always over inflate the tires. I'm running 38 psi front and 32 rear on my '19 Raptor and am getting very even wear and no drivability issues. Truck actually rides better than my '13 Super Crew.
     

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