I don't have an alignment yet so I know it's not going to ride perfect but after hitting a bump, the truck started shaking side to side hard until I slowed down. I'm not sure what would cause this, everything looks tight, I can't figure it out.

 

Alignment, worn pivot bushings, could be many things. Camber is probably off quite a bit among other things. Same tires?

 

Same tires. it was fine for 2 days, then it did this twice in less than a mile on my lunch break. I feel like whatever it is will get worse.

 

Park it and start shaking as hard as you can to see if anything shows up unless you have a jack handy.

 

That was my plan of attack. I'm frustrated because I have to get out back to work because it's raining and I can't miss anymore.

 

Shaking out doesn't yield anything out of the ordinary from what I can tell. I may have a radius arm that needs more tightening but I don't see anything out of the ordinary.

Oddly enough, I feel like it looks a little taller now too. Hopefully it was just a fluke.

 

Could it be due to play in the tie rods? My camber changes dramatically based on whether I'm going forward or backward.

My ball joints were replaced about 1000 miles ago so that should be out of the question.

 

There seems to be excess play in the steering wheel too which is why I wondered about that being a possibility.

 

New pitman arm? properly torqued? Absolutely tie rods could be the problem, but you're there, I'm not. LOL Yes camber changes on these trucks fwd/rev.

 

I know it changes, but not this much. I feel like the excessive play could be allowing everything. I just need to take it for an alignment and have them adjust everything properly.

Now to figure out the best place to do it.

I have a hard time trusting anyone in town.

 

I would recommend getting a second person to help you.


With the tires on the ground, start the truck, have your helper move the steering wheel while you look at each steering component as it move under load. It may be something that simply needs tightening or you may find that the steering box itself has some play in it or where it mounts to the frame.

 

F250 with a lift? F350 with a lift? Whose lift kit? Springs only?

Sounds like you have the "death wobble". I'm chasing a the same thing, just mine isn't violent yet.

 

F150 rwd rough country lift.

 

My '52 Ford Panel Truck had the "death wobble" too. Shook so hard before I could pull over that it shook the glasses right off my face! It turned out to be a combination of loose wheel bearings and worn out tie rods.

Clarkebre has the right idea. Following his process may give you some clues as to where to start looking.

 

I'm almost positive it's the tie rods after driving but I don't know what I'm doing when adjusting. There's tons of play in the wheel which suggests they're loose because if I keep tension on it, no wobble.