Front end shake
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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Front end shake
So it is starting to get on my nerves. On my 04 F250 seems more and more my front end is loosening up giving it a wobble or shake. My my SD does have 180,000 miles so im sure that plays a role. Has anyone replaced tie rod ends or anything else under the front end that may fix this wobble I seem to have?
Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 35
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From: North Central WA Cascades
Does it happen mainly when you apply the brakes? If the rotors have a warped or uneven surface, the front end will shake or shimmy on braking, sometimes a lot, even though everything else is tight. Just had this issue on my '02.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,272
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From: Cincy area
My truck has always rode "loose". It'll skate across the road through heavy bumps. I chalk it up to being a large heavy truck and I almost like the ride. Im used to off road riding so I believe thats why I dont mind so much. You may consider a shock upgrade. Bilstiens seem to be a popular choice as well as replacing worn suspension compenents like you said.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,447
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From: South Jersey
my 04 F350 shakes through heavy bumps just like quad racer said his 08 does. I again say its because its a huge heavy seven thousand pound truck, since i have new tires, ball joints, dual steering stabilizers, new front leaf springs. Its just what happens when you have heavy duty solid axles and leaf springs made to work hard. Put two to three thousand pounds in the bed, and i guarantee it will ride smoother then a GM!
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Would new tie rod ends, an aliment and maybe a two shock stabilizer help fix the loose front end?
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From: laporte in
Your best bet is to jack the front up an try wiggling the wheel side to side and up and down while you or someone looks at the ball joints and tie rods. You will know if they are bad because the parts will look loose basically
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
The non serviceable tie rod and track bar ends are the problem. At 101,000 miles mine was getting very annoying. Just had to have all the tie rod ends and the lower track bar joint replaced. Cost was around $1,400. On my '08, the only new parts available were OEM. So once again, non serviceable. Whatever happened to the good old days of zerk fittings?
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Very good point. I remember my old 95 Chevy Silverado going to get an alighment a few years ago and at the shop they wiggled my front tires around pointing everything out that moves needs to be replaced as far as ball joints and such. They couldnt even do the alighment cause of all the slack.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,447
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From: South Jersey
put the front axle on jack stands and pry up the tire to check the ball joints, then try to turn them and see if the tie rods are loose. After that lay down in front of the truck, have someone you trust start the truck and turn the wheel back and forth while you look for any play in the front end components. You know that the Ford steering box's SUCK and get play so bad that two inches of steering wheel movement doesn't move the front tires correct?
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