Well, just thought I would post an update, the good and bad.

Bought new in summer of 2010.

Only problems when new were related to the shiift flare on the tranny. After a year, when ford had a fix, I had the dealership replace 3 solenoids and reprogram the tranny. All good.

Last year, the front end developed the "death wobble" once or twice, scared the crapola out of me. I replaced the tires that were worn, and replaced the shocks and steering stabilizer.

Came back from a scuba trip a month ago, and found a puddle of oil coming from the rear main seal of the engine. Truck had sat for a week or so after a big road trip.

Took the truck on vacation this past week, had a 1500lb popup camper on, and towed a snowmobile trailer full of 4 dirtbike and 5 bicycles. Had a KTM65 kids mx bike on the front receiver hitch mount too.

Developed the death wobble/shimmy multiple times on the trip. Looks like I need to replace the trac bar, it has play in it.

Don't know if I should just replace with oem parts for $150 or buy one of the super anti wobble trac bars from readylift or another source for $600+.

Suspension is stock, tire size stock 17" wheels,....

Kinda disappointed to have both suspension wear issues and a leaky rear main seal at only 59,xxx miles. I have owned two previous F350s, a K2500 and a E350. I have felt that this truck is the best of them all, but these issues are disappointing.

 

Death wobble? Explain!

 

For the price of these new trucks I would be pissed off bad to have to do anything but routine maintenance if I bought a new truck.
I really thank you guys that have gone out & spent big money for these new vehicles. Everytime I think a new truck might be nice I come on the newer truck boards & sanity returns real quick. Thanks.
NOTE: Its not just Fords it is any of them.
I'll keep my cheap junk. Hell, I'm pissed off that I have had to spend $1500 this year on my 95 Ford F150 4x4 with 140,000 that I bought for $2800.

Craig

 

4wd? or 2wd? does the "death wobble" happen to the 2wd also?

 

Death wobble is when your front tires start shaking uncontrollably while you are driving. I always add aftermarket steering stabilizers to my rigs as I also always run bigger rubber. Are you able to re-bushing the trac bar with some polyurathane parts??

 

the 2wd have one more part than the 4wd it's an idler arm, but if the idler arm become loose, it will happen.

 

My 2000 2WD F350 did it, it ended up being a crappy set of Kelly tires on the front, new tires no more death wobble.

Before you start spending money on front end parts jack up each front tire and give it a spin and see if its round and make sure the tread is running true.

Denny

 

Probably gonna sound stupid but make sure your front tires are at the factory recommended pressure. Dodge 4x4's are famous for death wobble as well and most times it is people trying to soften up th ride by lowering the front tire pressure according to the service manager at the Dodge dealer where I took my 2500 Megacab for service when I had it.

 

I agree, I had the same issue on my 2011 F-250 and it was the Fx4 rancho shocks that were bad/gone, Ford would not replace them under warranty, and I was under the 36K miles still.

 

Did it with the old tires, now doing it with the new. Same for shocks and steering stabilizer. The trac bar has some play in it at the passenger side mounting location. Mine is a 4wd. Running tires at recommended pressures, as I have been running loaded.

Must be the combo of stiff front end springs and certain load conditions along with road conditions and some natural frequency of my truck. While I have used my truck aggressively, I am a little bummed to have these problems so early.

 

On my '08 I replaced the track bar when it had play in it. I wouldn't do it again, I think it was a waste if money. If my new truck has the wobble, I will just replace the bushings.

 

55,000 miles No issues yet.......

 

I put 62K on my 2011 before I sold it and never had the issue. Rubber was BFG M/T mostly good condition and replaced Rancho shocks with Bilsteins at about 15k....