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Old 07-26-2021, 08:45 PM   #1
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Red face FR3 No On-Center Feel

New 2021 FR3 30DS with some 600 miles by me. I am constantly correcting the steering as there is no on-center feel to the wheel. It's very fatiguing to drive, but I'll need to get another 2500 miles to get home. It feels like a lack of caster or toe-in to me. I will say semis push me around very little versus the Forester MBS 2801WS we had previously. It does appear to have the heavy front and rear sway bars.

I am curious if a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer would help. I don't know how these work. Thoughs/opinions welcome.

John C
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Old 07-27-2021, 07:05 PM   #2
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I added a Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer and it made a huge difference to keeping the wheels centered. There are a few different manufactures of these products and I am pretty sure each will perform well.
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Old 07-28-2021, 09:23 AM   #3
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I also added a Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer, in addition my alignment from the lot was completely off-center and FORD performed a free alignment under warranty.
Being so new, I'd take it to an authorized Ford Center have them check the alignment out, should be free/or covered under warranty. (they installed the Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer for me at the same time. That was not free.
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Old 07-28-2021, 12:35 PM   #4
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I had the same issue driving our 2020 FR3 30DS home from the dealer. First check your tire pressure. Ours was about 80-82 psi from the dealer, I use 92-94 psi and it makes a significant improvement. I also added the Safe-Plus steering stabilizer. Very easy to install for about $500. Once the stabilizer is adjusted properly it keeps the steering centered. I now can relax and drive one handed on highways although most times I use both hands.
We also had a broken king pin in the passenger front wheel. The Ford dealer replaced the king pin and re-alighted the front end all under warranty.
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Old 07-29-2021, 01:12 PM   #5
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Wheel alignment

Quote:
Originally Posted by JOhn_R_C View Post
New 2021 FR3 30DS with some 600 miles by me. I am constantly correcting the steering as there is no on-center feel to the wheel. It's very fatiguing to drive, but I'll need to get another 2500 miles to get home. It feels like a lack of caster or toe-in to me. I will say semis push me around very little versus the Forester MBS 2801WS we had previously. It does appear to have the heavy front and rear sway bars.

I am curious if a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer would help. I don't know how these work. Thoughs/opinions welcome.

John C

Our FR3 was so far out of alignment 34 degree's toe fought with the coach all the time , now that it's aligned I can let go of the steering wheel and it tracks straight.



I found a Truck alignment center that did the job in an hour but 300.00 well worth it.

and a lot less sway
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Old 07-29-2021, 07:38 PM   #6
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Thanks for all the insights. I'll start with the alignment and proceed to the Safe-T-Plus as required. It will be a month before I get home where I can schedule things.

John C
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Old 07-29-2021, 08:04 PM   #7
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Just another +1 for the SafeTPlus stabilizer...it will help settle you in the center AND it will make driving less fatiguing, Help control during a front tire blowout and make the big rigs that blow by you even less noticeable.
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Old 08-02-2021, 05:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JOhn_R_C View Post
New 2021 FR3 30DS with some 600 miles by me. I am constantly correcting the steering as there is no on-center feel to the wheel.

John C
We did the alignment and it helped a little bit. I added a roadmaster steering stabilizer and it helped a bit more. Making sure that the tires are neither overinflated or underinflated is another good move.
-Cliff
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Old 08-02-2021, 06:15 PM   #9
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I don't have an FR 3 I have a Sunseeker and I can tell you that alignment was a tremendous improvement. I had similar handling issues as you have. Unfortunately I fought it for 17,000 miles.
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