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Severe Vibration

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Old Dec 13, 2012 | 09:44 PM
  #1  
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Severe Vibration

Hi Folks,

I have a 2005 F-250 with about 90K miles on it. In the past few weeks it has developed a severe vibration when hitting a bump in the pavement. The thing becomes uncontrollable, the steering wheel shakes and it seems like the whole truck is twisting from front to back. It only quits when I hit the brakes and slow down to around 15 MPH or so. I've searched the internet and seen plenty of people with the same problem but have not found any answers. I'm getting ready to take it into Ford but would like to be armed with a little bit of info before I go.
Thanks in advance!
 
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 12:08 AM
  #2  
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From: Lebanon, OR
Sounds like what they call the Death Wobble. Basically an oscillation in the front suspension that's uncontrolled. I saw a youtube vid where a guy put dual steering stabilizers on and dual shocks on each front wheel. He had a before and after gopro of the results. Looked like he cured it.

Edit: I found it.

I'd get under there why you have a buddy turn the steering wheel around to see if you have a bad tie rod or drag link. I'd check the track bar etc as well. If it's a recent issue you might have just finally worn something out.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 05:12 AM
  #3  
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TSB
07-10-10
STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION
Publication Date: May 10, 2007

FORD:
2005-2007 F-Super Duty
This article supersedes TSB 07-5-7 to update the Parts.

ISSUE:

Some 2005-2007 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit steering wheel oscillation (back and forth motion), immediately following front or rear wheel impacts (i.e. pavement joints, frost heaves, rough roads, etc.). Steering wheel motion is typically in the range of ± 5 degrees, and typically dampens out in fewer than five oscillations. This condition occurs mostly on F-250/F-350 4X4 vehicles, and is more evident on trucks equipped with a gas engine.

ACTION:

Refer to the following Service Procedure to minimize the steering wheel oscillations on impacts, however, there may be some remaining minor oscillation which would be considered normal.

SERVICE PROCEDURE SUMMARY

Set tire pressure and road test vehicle to evaluate vehicle before proceeding with further repairs. If issue is resolved, do not proceed with the rest of this TSB.
If concern still exists, install a new steering damper (frame-mounted bracket and steering damper assembly on F-250/F-350 4X4 applications only). For F-250/F-350 4X2 and all F-450/F-550 applications, inspect damper for leaks and replace if necessary, torque steering and suspension fasteners per Workshop Manual (WSM).
If concern still exists, check front alignment and reduce front caster.
Replace redundant control steering wheel (if equipped and vehicle built prior to 10/8/2004).
VEHICLE INSPECTION - TIRE PRESSURE

Set tire pressures as indicated on the vehicle label (located on driver's door label).
NOTE: SETTING TIRE PRESSURE TO DOOR SPECIFICATION IS ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURES IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. LOWERING TIRE PRESSURE WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE WORSE.
ROAD TEST

Ask customer what type of road surface and speed generates the steering wheel oscillation.
Road test vehicle on similar road surface and speed, to gain a feel for the customer's issue.
If no issues are identified during the road test, do not proceed with the rest of this TSB.
STEERING DAMPER INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT AND STEERING/SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE CHECK

F-250/F-350 4X4 Applications:

Remove existing steering damper and frame attachment bracket.
Replace steering damper and frame mounting bracket with steering damper and frame bracket.
Attach steering damper to frame bracket and torque bolt to 76 lb-ft (103 N-m).
Assemble bracket and shock assembly to the frame with attachment bolt retainer pointing to rear of vehicle. Torque frame bracket nuts to 59 lb-ft (80 N-m).
Attach other end of shock to the steering drag link and torque to 66 lb-ft (90 N-m).
Install damper bolt cap to assure a friendly surface for the battery cable in case of casual contact.
NOTE: CHECK SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT TO THE FRAME BRACKET AND DAMPER ASSEMBLY TO ENSURE THAT BATTERY CABLES ARE NOT CONTACTING BRACKET/BOLTS/DAMPER. ALSO, VERIFY THAT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES HAVE CLEARANCE TO THE DAMPER DUST SHIELD.
F-250/F-350 4X2 And All F-450/F-550 Applications:

Wipe down and inspect the steering damper. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to cycle the steering damper and inspect for leaks.
If leaks are present, install a new steering damper.
Steering/Suspension Fastener Torque Check (4X2 And 4X4)

Check torques on the following steering and suspension fasteners and adjust to specification as required (see following Table).

Torque Specification
Description Lb-ft Nm
Damper nuts (F-250/F-350 4X2) 59 80
Damper-to-bracket (F-250/ F-350 4X4) 76 103
Damper-to-drag link 66 90
Drag link-to-pitman arm nut 129 175
Inner tie-rod end nuts 85 115
Outer tie-rod end nuts 85 115
Track bar bracket-to-frame nuts and bolts 129 175
Track bar-to-track bar bracket bolt 406 550
Track bar-to-axle nut 185 250
Radius arm-to-axle bolts 222 300
Radius arm-to-bracket nut 222 300

NOTE: ADJUSTING TORQUE ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION FASTENERS IS VERY IMPORTANT IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. FASTENERS THAT ARE IMPROPERLY TORQUED WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE WORSE.
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND REDUCE FRONT CASTER

NOTE: OSCILLATION ISSUES RESOLVED BY WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE WARRANTED FOR 12/12 ONLY, REGARDLESS OF OTHER STEPS PERFORMED.
Measure wheel alignment. Verify that front caster, camber, and total toe are within specification. Adjust as required. Refer to the WSM, Section 204-00 for complete alignment specifications.

REDUCE FRONT CASTER

Note the current front caster.
Use alignment adjustment bushings to reduce front caster by 0.5 to 0.75 degrees. The caster setting may be at the lower end of the specification as long as the vehicle drives smoothly. Do not put caster setting below the lower specification limit. Use alignment adjustment bushings.
F-250/350 4X4:

5C3Z-3B440-CCC (0.5 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-DDD (0.75 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-EEE (1.0 degree bushing)
F-450/550 4X4 and 4X2:

5C3Z-3B440-HHH (0.5 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-JJJ (0.75 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-KKK (1.0 degree bushing)
F-250/350 4X2:

5C3Z-3B440-C (0.5 degree busing)
5C3Z-3B440-D (0.75 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-E (1.0 degree bushing)
For All 4X4 and for F-450/550 4X2:

Rotate the alignment adjustment bushing so that the bushing hole is in the 45 degree forward and inboard position. (See Figure 1)



Figure 1 - Article 07-10-10

This should lower the caster, while keeping the camber within the specification range. If the camber is not in the specification range than rotate the alignment adjustment bushing as needed.
The final caster and camber settings must be within the specification limits.
Maintain the current front camber, cross-camber and cross-caster settings as close as you possibly can.
Adding weight behind the rear axle lowers the rear of the vehicle, which decreases the frame angle, which in effect increases caster.
For All F-250/350 4X2:

Observe the camber position of the alignment bushing that is currently in the truck and attempt to maintain that position while moving the caster position forward in the truck.
The final caster and camber settings must be within the specification limits.
NOTE: CASTER SETTING IS VERY IMPORTANT IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. INCREASING THE CASTER SETTING WILL MAKE THIS ISSUE WORSE.
REPLACEMENT OF REDUNDANT CONTROL STEERING WHEEL - Vehicles Built Prior To 10/8/2004 Only

NOTE: THE REPLACEMENT STEERING WHEEL WILL CONTAIN THE REDUNDANT CONTROLS.
Remove driver air bag assembly. Refer to WSM, Section 211-04 for complete instructions.
Remove the steering wheel.
Install new steering wheel.
Reinstall driver air bag assembly.
Re-set clear vision as required.
NOTE: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO SECTION 211-04 OF THE WSM FOR COMPLETE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE STEERING COLUMN.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
5C7Z-3600-ABA Redundant Control Steering Wheel Asy (King Ranch Tan/Peb)
5C7Z-3600-CBA Redundant Control Steering Wheel Asy (Charcoal Black)
5C3Z-3B440-C F-250/350 4X2 (0.5 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-D F-250/350 4X2 (0.75 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-E F-250/350 4X2 (1.0 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-CCC F-250/350 4X4 (0.5 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-DDD F-250/350 4X4 (0.75 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-EEE F-250/350 4X4 (1.0 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-HHH F-450/550 4X4 and 4X2 (0.5 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-JJJ F-450/550 4X4 and 4X2 (0.75 degree bushing)
5C3Z-3B440-KKK F-450/550 4x4 and 4x2 (1.0 degree bushing)
W520117-S441 Nut - Hex - RH Thread
W706196-S439 Bolt
7C3Z-3E652-C Bracket
5C3Z-3E651-B Steering Damper (F-250/F-350 4X2)
8C3Z-3E651-C Steering Damper (F-250/F-350 4X4)
5C3Z-3E651-D Steering Damper (F-450/F-550)
W711570-S300 Bolt Cap
NOTE: LABOR OPERATIONS IN THIS TSB CAN BE CLAIMED TOGETHER.
NOTE: OSCILLATION ISSUES RESOLVED BY WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE WARRANTED FOR 12/12 ONLY, REGARDLESS OF OTHER STEPS PERFORMED.
WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
071010A 2005-2007 F-Super Duty: Check Tire Pressure, Road Test To Verify Repair, Concern Resolved, Return To Customer (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 0.4 Hr.
071010B 2005-2007 F-Super Duty: Check Tire Pressure, Road Test To Verify Repair, Concern Not Resolved, Check Steering Damper Replace If Necessary, Verify Proper Torque On Steering Components, Road Test If Concern Is Resolved Return To Customer (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 1.4 Hrs.
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 250/350 4X2 DUAL REAR WHEEL: Check And Adjust Front Wheel Alignment, This Labor Operation Can Be Claimed With Operation B Only (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 1.9 Hrs.
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 250/350 4X2 SINGLE REAR WHEEL: Check And Adjust Front Wheel Alignment, This Labor Operation Can Be Claimed With Operation B Only (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 1.5 Hrs.
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 250/350 4X4 SINGLE REAR WHEEL: Check And Adjust Front Wheel Alignment, This Labor Operation Can Be Claimed With Operation B Only (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 1.8 Hrs.
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty 250/350 4X4 DUAL REAR WHEEL: Check And Adjust Front Wheel Alignment, This Labor Operation Can Be Claimed With Operation B Only (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 2.1 Hrs.
071010C 2005-2007 F-Super Duty F450/550 4X2/4X4 DUAL REAR WHEEL: Check And Adjust Front Wheel Alignment, This Labor Operation Can Be Claimed With Operation B Only (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 2.3 Hrs.
071010D 2005-2007 F-Super Duty With Redundant Steering Control Built Prior To 10-8-2004: Replace Steering Wheel, Includes Time To Depower And Repower The Supplemental Restraints System Can Be Claimed With Operation A Or B (Do Not Use With 1007D, 3001A, 3001A1, 3001A6, 3600A) 0.7 Hr
DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
(Operation A) NPF 82
(Operation B) 3E651 42
(Operation C) FRONT W6
(Operation D) 3600 42
 
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 06:51 AM
  #4  
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Thanks guys!
I'm going to check a few things this weekend before taking it to Ford. Especially the steering damper.
 
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