What is the most common part that causes the Death Wobble? I'm pretty
sure now, after discussion the issue with a few folks, that what I'm
experiencing is the fabled Death Wobble.

Now what I need to know is, what might be the cause so I can direct a
shop to check key components to determine the source of the issue and
not try to milk me with 50 things they "think" might be the cause.

If possible, could you rank the list of "Checksums" from Least Expensive
to Most Expensive? Thanks,

 

Mines wobbling pretty badly when I'm at freeways speeds on a curve with bumpy pavement. Scary actually.

I thought all it involves in putting in a new stabilizer. Haven't tried it yet.

My factory Rancho shocks were shot by 36K. I just put in a new set of real Ranchos and it's a world of a difference. I would surmise the stabilizer is equally shot.

 

I might be in that same boat. I have 80k on my 2008 truck now and I've
never replaced the Shocks or the Stabilizer. Cash is tight in the family budget
right now and I'm lucky enough that I typically drive locally at 45/mph or
less. So I have time to burn. So my plan is to first rotate the tires and
get them balanced and aligned. As the front tires are wearing and the
back tires look good.

Then get new shocks and install them myself. That should keep down on
the cost and I don't believe replacing shocks requires much more talent
than unbolting/bolting a nut or two.

As for the Stabilizer, I hear it is inexpensive and easy to install. If so, that
will be phase 3 in my hopes to address this issue which has happened
twice in the last 2 weeks when I've been at highway speed. Once I
slow down, the wobble goes away and doesn't reappear.

 

I have found tires to be part of the culprit. I swapped my 295/65/20 Nitto Trail Grapplers for some stock 18s with continentals to make a 1000 mile round trip towing. I have a bump that is pretty rough on the way to work where death wobble was present with the stock continentals. No death wobble with 20" Trail Grapplers.

 

just installed the procomp dual steering stabilizer, wobble is gone. install was easy. cost was 125 delivered to my door. i have an 08 f250 cc 4x4 with 62000 miles.

 

Thanks for the tip. Got any pictures?

 

sorry, no pics.

 

I'm not sure what the death wobble is. If you are speaking if the steering play that seems to be present in most super dutys (at least on both of mine) I would check the steering box. It can be adjusted but requires an inch pound torque wrench. At least it did on my 7.3L. However the best solution was a rebuilt steering box from Red Head. They are on line, located in Oregon I think. A bit pricey but worth it.

 

Trust me. If/When you encounter it, you'll know.

Just imagine driving down the highway, listening to tunes, and pondering
about who to vote for in the election. Then out of the blue, the whole front
of your truck starts shaking like you just hit 50 speed bumps at 65/mph.
Trust me, if it happens, you'll be like me, saying WTF was that... lol

Fast forward to the 1min30sec mark in the video. This is somebody who
recorded the Death Wobble.

Ford F-250 "Death Wobble" - YouTube

 

I'm surprised there's no recall on this. I can imagine getting into an accident if it gets too severe

 

Wow, that is ugly. I've never encountered that in 12 years of super duty driving. How many miles on that truck and how wide spread is the problem. If it's wide spread enough the DOT would be interested. It looked like the shocks were missing (LOL) or at least not doing anything. But it has to be more than that going on. The truck in the video looked to be a 2 wheel drive, does it also happen to 4wd? Also it's a gasser, does it happen to diesels, does the extra weight on the front make a difference? Seemed that a bump on the road there started the bouncing then the front wheels just fed off each other. Very wierd and I've been on FTE for 10 or 11 years and I don't think I've seen that before. I've heard the term "death wobble" but didn't know what it meant.

 

Few things to consider. A stabilizer is really only going to mask whatever issue you have.

It would not be a bad idea to check your castor on your front axle and make sure it is within factory spec. An alignment shop could check that for you. Also, track rods are notorious for feeling tight meaning you can grab it with your hand and it feels tight. In actuality there may be some play in the joint. Kind of hard to actually check it without replacing it.

It is also good just to jack up the front end and give everything a nice tug. Check out your wheel bearings, ball joints, steering box play/drag link, and maybe look at your bushings/joints in the radius arms.

 

Know what you mean I had a 06 and it was terrible, I tried new tires shocks and dual stealing stablizers no help. I sold it but I heard bd diesel has a fix
Found this article
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techart...h_wobble_cure/

 

My 6.0 had a worse death wobble than my 6.4 but nothing like the video. Added a leveling kit added to the problem until the track rods were adjusted for the added height. My 6.4 has the wobble, like a shudder that runs through the entire truck from going into a slight turn and hitting a bump, sometimes just hitting a bump.

 

Just heads up to those that have never experience death wobble, it can happen on all sorts of vehicles!

Buddy had a jeep cherokee with really worn steering components and if you hit a bump just right it would get the wobble...a good jerk of the steering wheel would stop it.

It makes sense if you know the science behind it, just a harmonic issue that can occur when there is to much play in the linkage between the opposite wheels.