Death Wobble??? Anyone know how to fix?

[Mr.Watson]

I was just driving on the highway this afternoon doing abot 75 hit a slight bump and the steering wheel and truck shuttered and wobbled uncontrolably. I have an 05 xlt 250 4x4. Is anyone familiar with this happeing and is there something that can be done to correct it? I slid across two lanes and luckily no one was next to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ryan

[Hengines]

Check for play in your drag link, I would bet that is the problem. I had a truck doing that to me and that straightened it up. Or it could be your wheel bearing, Ford had a problem with them.

[DCSpecial]

Is the truck stock or lifted?

[rmosso1]

The doctor is in:
I looked at your gallery of photographs. First photograph of a rancho shock. Second photograph of rear axle, rancho shocks. Ford used Rancho shocks for at least 2005 and 2006.
Suggestion: Replace rancho shocks immediately. also replace the vibration dampner. Not too many will argue, replace with Billstein shocks. Billstein does not make the vibration dampner, Monroe does. This will solve your problem Mr Watson, but you might divulge how many miles on odometer for others to chime in.
Good luck.

[Mr.Watson]

Thanks for the quick replies, my truck is a Stock 2005 f250 ext cab 4wd with about 27k on it

[1buzzbait]

the tsb has slight adjustments to be made but the most glaring is to make sure yer tire pressure are at what is on the door jamb,i doubt yer "shimmy shock" is bad unless it is leaking,go with tire pressure 1st, gotta good gauge?--

[JaybirdT]

I had this happen on my 2006 regular cab 250 but I went skidding right off the highway.They picked it up and flatbedded it to the dealership as I refused to drive it.They had it for 10 days and wouldnt tell me what they did but when I got it back it drove great.The servc manager told me they changed the stabilizer and a fiew other parts but wouldnt tell me what they were.Believe it or not the air pressure makes a huge difference,I had a leak in the front tire and knew right away as the truck began to wobble some.For whatever reason these trucks drive worse with softer tires try putting them at the factory pressure and see what happens.

[capn kirk]

not rancho ford made but painted to look like rancho

[rmosso1]

Originally Posted by capn kirk

not rancho ford made but painted to look like rancho

Look at his gallery. Clearly I read RANCHO and you say they were painted? When he gets his RANCHO shocks off he will be able to play them like an accordion. I had the same problem in my 2005 F-350 and solved it with new Billstein shocks. It is truly amazing that no fatal accidents have occured as a result of this problem. If so, I think there would have been a recall.

[mnpowerstroke99duty]

I had the ball joints on the drivers side dry out [originals non-greasable] and every once and awhile the thing would go all over the road. They felt tight no movement at all. I replaced them no more problem.When I put a tough country leveling kit in the front I replaced the shocks with Rancho RS9000X adjustable shocks.If I set them to #1 the truck wonders a little bit, but on #3 perfectly straight.

[Mr.Watson]

I was thinking about putting in a leveling kit, seems like this might be the time to do so. Any suggestions on the set up and what are your thoughts on a stering stabilizer, I really don't want this to ever appen again. Thanks

[redford]

Here's a partial list of what owners have done to fix the death wobble problem. One or more off of this list will fix the problem.

New shocks
New steering damper
Tire pressure
Tighten suspension bolts
New tires
New ball joints
New drag link
New tie rod ends
Alignment

[WildWildWest]

There is quite a difference in the '05 and up front end suspension (coil over) verses the '04 and previous and as others have said in different posts, the factory steering stabilizer is crap - replace it with a new one - lots of brands available - they seem to wear out quickly. The coil over suspension provides better ride and shorter turnig radius, but seems to be prone to the "death wobble" more than previous trucks possibly due to a little more front to back movement in the axle?

The "Rancho Branded" shocks are just that, Ford made with a Rancho brand name - also crap. Get Bilstein's or better all around. Proper tire pressure is important, but it depends on the tires. I run 50 PSI all around on my BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A with no problems, but I have a gas engine so there is much less weight on the front end and there seems to be more trouble with this in the diesels due to added weight on the front end. Raising your tire pressure to spec has helped many.

Edit: redford's covered the extras.

[rmosso1]

If you are still under warranty you can spend a few days of your life and take it to a Ford Dealership, or look in this forum for the tsb that covers the death wobble. I have read and re read the tsb several times. You can do it, or believe me when the first thing to do is to put correct air pressure in tires and send the customer home with a pat on the back. Normally a three day procedure. (i.e. Honest it says almost that in engineering language)
I looked at your gallery and saw the rancho shocks. Further I presumed you have a diesel 6.0.
Redford and Wild Wild West are right on, but if you want to solve the problem immediately, put the air in tires and put new shocks on the front (3). Two front shocks and the stablizer.
Your probelm will go away. Oh, change the rear shocks also, as they will be bad, not as bad as the fronts.

[colden]

I have an 05 350 6.0, it had a terrible death wobble. I replaced the steering stablizer shock for 40$ at Napa and it took care of that problem1