2003 F250 Handles Funny?

I think what you may be describing is what is known as crabbing (walking like a crab, not straight ahead.) To check the vehicle you can do one or two things yourself. Both should be done with the front wheels of the vehicle in question, pointed straight ahead. Get someone to drive it. You drive another vehicle behind it. Move side to side and try to sight a line that lays across the rear side and front side of the rear tire. See how closely that line if projected forward, will intersect with the front and rear sides of the front tire on the same side. What you are looking for is an error such as: !________! Front ! !

!________! ! ! Rear

A word to the wise. Never buy ANY vehicle until you have driven behind it during a road test.

I suggest you take it back to the ford dealer to correct the line up if you have that problem . It should be free as it is a 2003 . Good luck . Fox.

The road is crowned, so usually if the rear is spinning it would slide to the right. But not always. This isn't a likely scenario, but just in case here it is. First, make sure both axles have the same gear ratio. They very rarely make factory mistakes on this. Second, I don't know why they order all the 4x4's with LTD slip, but of course they do, and that also causes bizarre handling in low-traction situations. It's really great for doing

Both axles will not have the same ratio if set up properly. The front diff. should be about .01 higher ratio (lower number) than the rear. This helps point the rig front first under power and is the reason for the caution against using 4wd on dry pavement.

True with the above correction.

This is done to maximize the effectiveness of your 4wd while minding the inefficiency of true posi-traction diffs for everyday driving. I don't know your experience level when in comes to off-roading, but I can make a pretty good guess based on your post. I have done extensive 4-wheeling and can tell you that for serious off roading with your daily driver, LS rear diff. is the ticket. Front diffs are best open which is the industry norm. I had a 84 Bronco with open diffs front and rear and got nearly stuck (took about

Very true...snow too, and also in 4wd if you know how to work the wheels. Man that's fun in a deserted parking lot or field! Hehehehe.

If it's traction lock related (LS), it is likely more pronounced in 2wd.

Spike,

Your problem sounds quite normal for a LS rear under power. My advice to you is to go to a deserted parking lot (like a school) next time there is significant snowfall in your area (enough to close said school). Practice handling your truck in different situations. Start off going straight under different levels of power. Then try starting off in a turn, then force it into a spin and practice getting it out. Try using all different power levels to teach yourself the difference between a good and bad move while you're practicing. If you decide you don't like the LS after you've become more familiar with it, make someone's day and swap your LS carrier with the hunter down the street who may have gotten stuck with an open one. As a matter of fact I have a real good friend who might even add a few dollars to the equation to get a hold of your LS carrier for his open. Post back and let me know!

-BunnMan

Thanks, I had LS's before but this Truck just seems more pronounced. Perhaps I should study the theory behind the axles more. I'll keep this one for sure.

Vince