My 2011 F250 Lariat has suddenly developed the dreaded death wobble at 31K miles. Truck is stock with factory 20" tires but I have swapped out the steering stabilizer and shocks with a Rancho single-stab and Rancho 9000 shocks.

First trip to Ford they told me they only had one front end guy there that day, but somehow my truck was done in just a few hours with the diagnosis that everything was fine and that the steering stab was the problem. 4wheelparts checked out the truck and did warranty out the steering stab as it was faulty. This did not fix the problem at all.

Brought the truck back to Ford and this time they kept it for a week after I complained a bit. Ford did a front end alignment, adjusted the casters, and road force balanced the wheels. I was charged for this work as this was not a warranty issue and this was "just a result of these super duty trucks and the solid front axle". Death wobble was presented as just something extra you get but was not in the brochure. Ford again pointed the finger at the Rancho stabilizer and shocks as the problem. They wanted to replace them all with OEM, again at extra cost.

Now I did examine the Rancho single stab that is only a week old and sure enough it was pretty easy for me to compress and extend compared to an OEM. The shocks were cited as way too soft and they did feel quite bouncy after riding in a loaner truck for a week. I was thinking they went soft and I just did not realize it. When I got home I crawled under the truck and noted they tech had adjusted the shocks all the way to the softest setting. While it was in the shop at Ford also they called and asked me how to adjust the shocks, I was rather surprised at this. They did the exact opposite of what I told them.

I'm going back to 4wheelparts to see about having this new stabilizer warrantied out again and have them examine the shocks also. I am currently not experiencing death wobble but I have the shocks set at the firmest ride. They should not need to be so hard when running empty. The original Rancho replacements were done 15K miles ago, the second stabilizer again is just a week old.

I cannot say I am a very happy customer right now. Ford and Rancho are testing my faith. If I have to replace another Rancho component this soon, I think it will be with another brand. I am not replacing shocks every 15K miles and the weak stab that is one week old is just disappointing. Ford's explanation that this condition is just to be expected and accepted along with the failure to actual work the problem from the start has pretty much made my mind up on purchasing an ESP.

 

Have had good luck with the Bilstein 5100 shocks and steering stab. I will not ever purchase an FX4 again, nor buy any Rancho product as they allowed Ford to put their name on the crap shocks that came on the FX4 package.

 

At 31,000 miles, I'm guessing your stock tires are getting marginal. Try replacing those, some claim it's these tires that are the problem.

 

I am assuming you are experiencing the Steering Oscillation that seems to trigger when crossing bumps (like bridge expansion joints) especially if you are in a left radius at speeds around 45-55 mpg?

Ford replaced my front steering stabilizer and it took care of my oscillations at 35,000 miles. I replaced the FX4 shocks at 50,000 with the Rancho 9000 and have them set at mid range and I have not had any problems.

The truck now has 78,000 miles and the problems have not returned.

I also am assuming your truck has a lift. hence you asking 4wheelparts to get involved. Could it be something from the lift causing the problem?

 

No lift. I purchased the Rancho stuff at 4wheelparts but they did install the second stabilizer on warranty. My shocks were set at 7/5 prior. Ford returned the truck with them set at 1/1. I have them set now at 9/9 and no wobble yesterday even over rough bumpy roads but today a small bit of wobble over a minor bumpy patch of road.

 

Death wobble is gone! 4WP removed the Rancho 9000s and replaced with Bilestein 5100s, kept the Rancho single stabilizer and added a ProComp dual stabilizer. Truck rides like brand new now and no wobbles even over rough uneven road surfaces that used to set off the tremors.

 

congrats! I myself didnt have this death wobble but horrible wheel hop, the 5100s fixed that