Death Wobble experience
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
One thing that is clear, there is likely not one single solution to the wobble. There's probably a root cause and then failure of other parts of the system that allow it to happen. Poor alignment, worn shocks, bad tires will all need to be corrected. If Lex sees some improvement with the stabilizer and alignment change but still feels like something is off, we'll keep working on it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
It looks like it came from this thread (post #14). Dangerous Front End Problem - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com
I agree with you. There are a number of possible root causes for this issue. I have experienced this in a Jeep and it is something that will scare the crap out of you when it happens.
Finding someone who is knowledgeable in the geometry and functionality of the front components will find the cause. In the case of my Jeep, it was the steering dampener. Other components can be involved like bushings, wheel alignment, etc.
I agree with you. There are a number of possible root causes for this issue. I have experienced this in a Jeep and it is something that will scare the crap out of you when it happens.
Finding someone who is knowledgeable in the geometry and functionality of the front components will find the cause. In the case of my Jeep, it was the steering dampener. Other components can be involved like bushings, wheel alignment, etc.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 52
From: Sacramento Delta, CA
Kid, if your truck is new, find a lawyer who can guide you how to comply with the Lemon Law in your state and make Ford buy back your truck from you. Some trucks never have death wobble. Yours will never be that truck. Once you have death wobble you will never trust your truck again. Driving down a snow and icy grade and have a DW occur, and not be able to control whether or not you are in your lane or in the opposing traffic lane, and you will know what I mean. Your dealer does not care about you. Ford does not care about you. Your government does not care about you. Some Fords have this problem. Your truck is new. It should be Ford's problem - not yours. Ford will "try" to fix it under warranty until your Lemon Law statute of limitations runs out. Only a lawyer can solve this problem for you. Lawyers fix problems that your dealer, Ford, and your government don't want to fix. And your time is running out for a Lemon Law action.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Kid, if your truck is new, find a lawyer who can guide you how to comply with the Lemon Law in your state and make Ford buy back your truck from you. Some trucks never have death wobble. Yours will never be that truck. Once you have death wobble you will never trust your truck again. Driving down a snow and icy grade and have a DW occur, and not be able to control whether or not you are in your lane or in the opposing traffic lane, and you will know what I mean. Your dealer does not care about you. Ford does not care about you. Your government does not care about you. Some Fords have this problem. Your truck is new. It should be Ford's problem - not yours. Ford will "try" to fix it under warranty until your Lemon Law statute of limitations runs out. Only a lawyer can solve this problem for you. Lawyers fix problems that your dealer, Ford, and your government don't want to fix. And your time is running out for a Lemon Law action.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 52
From: Sacramento Delta, CA
I left it off intentionally, because I didn't want readers to think I was advertising for business, and because the focus should not be on me, the messenger, but on the message - which should've been your focus.
The kid has a $40,000 design defect which he didn't create and he shouldn't be expected to solve. If you haven't had DW on a narrow curvy two-lane mountain road and can only attack the messenger, you have nothing to contribute. Unfortunately, My 2007 4x4 is out of the Lemon Law limitations period. I posted because of my repeated personal experience with death wobble. These are my first posts on this forum. If you don't want me to contribute, stand up and say so.
People need to take off their rose-colored glasses. Customer loyalty is naive and foolish. If you have a great Ford, keep it and be happy. If you have one which could kill you and the family driving toward you in the opposing lane, use the law to make Ford buy it back before the dealer - who knows the Lemon Law inside and out - stalls the you until the limitations period expires.
The kid has a $40,000 design defect which he didn't create and he shouldn't be expected to solve. If you haven't had DW on a narrow curvy two-lane mountain road and can only attack the messenger, you have nothing to contribute. Unfortunately, My 2007 4x4 is out of the Lemon Law limitations period. I posted because of my repeated personal experience with death wobble. These are my first posts on this forum. If you don't want me to contribute, stand up and say so.
People need to take off their rose-colored glasses. Customer loyalty is naive and foolish. If you have a great Ford, keep it and be happy. If you have one which could kill you and the family driving toward you in the opposing lane, use the law to make Ford buy it back before the dealer - who knows the Lemon Law inside and out - stalls the you until the limitations period expires.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Well boys, I for one drove over 50,000 miles before this issue arose. Happened 4 times in the last week. Something suddenly changed and unfortunately the stock ranchos are generally accepted as being cosmetic and not truly "SD".
I drove over 150,000 miles on an '08 with none of this.
Obviously it is hard to point to a specific cause, part, design function.
We will lick it. I have new shocks coming and will do my best to report good info.
I drove over 150,000 miles on an '08 with none of this.
Obviously it is hard to point to a specific cause, part, design function.
We will lick it. I have new shocks coming and will do my best to report good info.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
I left it off intentionally, because I didn't want readers to think I was advertising for business, and because the focus should not be on me, the messenger, but on the message - which should've been your focus.
The kid has a $40,000 design defect which he didn't create and he shouldn't be expected to solve. If you haven't had DW on a narrow curvy two-lane mountain road and can only attack the messenger, you have nothing to contribute. Unfortunately, My 2007 4x4 is out of the Lemon Law limitations period. I posted because of my repeated personal experience with death wobble. These are my first posts on this forum. If you don't want me to contribute, stand up and say so.
People need to take off their rose-colored glasses. Customer loyalty is naive and foolish. If you have a great Ford, keep it and be happy. If you have one which could kill you and the family driving toward you in the opposing lane, use the law to make Ford buy it back before the dealer - who knows the Lemon Law inside and out - stalls the you until the limitations period expires.
The kid has a $40,000 design defect which he didn't create and he shouldn't be expected to solve. If you haven't had DW on a narrow curvy two-lane mountain road and can only attack the messenger, you have nothing to contribute. Unfortunately, My 2007 4x4 is out of the Lemon Law limitations period. I posted because of my repeated personal experience with death wobble. These are my first posts on this forum. If you don't want me to contribute, stand up and say so.
People need to take off their rose-colored glasses. Customer loyalty is naive and foolish. If you have a great Ford, keep it and be happy. If you have one which could kill you and the family driving toward you in the opposing lane, use the law to make Ford buy it back before the dealer - who knows the Lemon Law inside and out - stalls the you until the limitations period expires.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Well boys, I for one drove over 50,000 miles before this issue arose. Happened 4 times in the last week. Something suddenly changed and unfortunately the stock ranchos are generally accepted as being cosmetic and not truly "SD".
I drove over 150,000 miles on an '08 with none of this.
Obviously it is hard to point to a specific cause, part, design function.
We will lick it. I have new shocks coming and will do my best to report good info.
I drove over 150,000 miles on an '08 with none of this.
Obviously it is hard to point to a specific cause, part, design function.
We will lick it. I have new shocks coming and will do my best to report good info.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
I may have missed it in your posts but just clear up, you haven't changed or added anything before this started. Also, did you hit anything, pot hole, etc. that might have damaged something? This is most likely, from what I have researched not experienced, is either damage or loose front end component or failure. The easy and quick checks are balance and rotate tires and do an alignment.
I do agree with the poster on your confidence in the vehicle afterwards. If you have ever experienced it, you will always be concerned that the ugly lion will come out of it's cage again - and at the wrong time.
A shop that understands the design can troubleshoot and repair it.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Guys, as a friendly reminder, this is a technical forum and is not the place for legal advice. While I appreciate the well-intentioned advice we need to stick to the issue at hand rather than potential legal action.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
In my case, I do not recall any event that would have caused damage to the front end suspension components. No high speed shattering potholes, just the occasional idle through the woods or driving over a curb or two snaking a trailer through a hospital parking lot (I work in hospitals across the SE quadrant of the U.S.)
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
In my case, I do not recall any event that would have caused damage to the front end suspension components. No high speed shattering potholes, just the occasional idle through the woods or driving over a curb or two snaking a trailer through a hospital parking lot (I work in hospitals across the SE quadrant of the U.S.)
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
I own a 78 Bronco with coil springs and a track bar. Similar design to our 2011's, I have had D/W several times with it and the problem has been track bar related every time. Worn bushing or a loose bracket. I finally welded the bracket to the frame because I could not keep it from coming loose. That and changing the bushings once a year solved my problem.
The best way to check mine was with the truck off, I would have someone turn the wheel back and forth. I could see the body moving over the axle when something was loose or worn.
I checked out the link posted earlier and it seems that guy came up with a good fix. Not sure if the 2011's are the same problem or not. I could not find a price on his website. Any good fab shop could make what he did and it should not be too expensive.
The best way to check mine was with the truck off, I would have someone turn the wheel back and forth. I could see the body moving over the axle when something was loose or worn.
I checked out the link posted earlier and it seems that guy came up with a good fix. Not sure if the 2011's are the same problem or not. I could not find a price on his website. Any good fab shop could make what he did and it should not be too expensive.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 852
Likes: 12
From: Kentucky
went under the truck this morning to investigate my death wobble problems. Everything seemed tight, but the track bar has some play in it? Is this a normal amount of movement? I don't think a steering stablizer is going to help because all it does is mask the wobbling problem. I'm really interested in that aftermarket track bar. Does anybody have a 2 cents on that? I've noticed that my steering wheel wants to shake back and forth a lot after every bump, its like the death wobble wants to start, but it calms down. I have not hit any bad bumps nor much off roading. The only thing I have changed on the truck is the shocks and steering stabilizer in a effort to help the death wobble.
(Sorry for the yelling, my wife could not hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.)
YouTube - ‪Cause of death wobble?‬‏
(Sorry for the yelling, my wife could not hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.)
YouTube - ‪Cause of death wobble?‬‏
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
went under the truck this morning to investigate my death wobble problems. Everything seemed tight, but the track bar has some play in it? Is this a normal amount of movement? I don't think a steering stablizer is going to help because all it does is mask the wobbling problem. I'm really interested in that aftermarket track bar. Does anybody have a 2 cents on that? I've noticed that my steering wheel wants to shake back and forth a lot after every bump, its like the death wobble wants to start, but it calms down. I have not hit any bad bumps nor much off roading. The only thing I have changed on the truck is the shocks and steering stabilizer in a effort to help the death wobble.
(Sorry for the yelling, my wife could not hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.)
YouTube - ‪Cause of death wobble?‬‏
(Sorry for the yelling, my wife could not hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.)
YouTube - ‪Cause of death wobble?‬‏
I have to wonder if this has anything to do with the truck being dumped into a ravine a couple months ago. I wouldn't think it would, but at the same time this death wobble thing isn't a common thing.
