Death Wobble
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Death Wobble
I've searched & read a lot of stuff on the FTE & it seems as though anything & everything causes the death wobble.
My case is like this. 90% of my miles are pulling a gooseneck trailer with approx 25000 lbs (total weight). The wobble has happened twice & both were very severe. 107000 miles on truck with no mods on suspension. Tires have about 25% left with Michelins. It has been a while since rotation & balance on tires, but wear is very even & good. This has just started within the last month. Have not noticed anything happening with truck. Both places the wobble occurred was on some bad roads around Raleigh NC.
Any help would very appreciated.
David
My case is like this. 90% of my miles are pulling a gooseneck trailer with approx 25000 lbs (total weight). The wobble has happened twice & both were very severe. 107000 miles on truck with no mods on suspension. Tires have about 25% left with Michelins. It has been a while since rotation & balance on tires, but wear is very even & good. This has just started within the last month. Have not noticed anything happening with truck. Both places the wobble occurred was on some bad roads around Raleigh NC.
Any help would very appreciated.
David
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
I've searched & read a lot of stuff on the FTE & it seems as though anything & everything causes the death wobble.
My case is like this. 90% of my miles are pulling a gooseneck trailer with approx 25000 lbs (total weight). The wobble has happened twice & both were very severe. 107000 miles on truck with no mods on suspension. Tires have about 25% left with Michelins. It has been a while since rotation & balance on tires, but wear is very even & good. This has just started within the last month. Have not noticed anything happening with truck. Both places the wobble occurred was on some bad roads around Raleigh NC.
Any help would very appreciated.
David
My case is like this. 90% of my miles are pulling a gooseneck trailer with approx 25000 lbs (total weight). The wobble has happened twice & both were very severe. 107000 miles on truck with no mods on suspension. Tires have about 25% left with Michelins. It has been a while since rotation & balance on tires, but wear is very even & good. This has just started within the last month. Have not noticed anything happening with truck. Both places the wobble occurred was on some bad roads around Raleigh NC.
Any help would very appreciated.
David
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Death wobble is an indication something is wore out and has excessive play enabling the wheels to oscillate independently of the steering wheel. As said above, get your ball joints and tie rod ends checked out.
As far as adding additional steering stabilizer, that would be a band-aid and just masks the problem that already exists allowing it to worsen creating a larger risk of complete failure.
As far as adding additional steering stabilizer, that would be a band-aid and just masks the problem that already exists allowing it to worsen creating a larger risk of complete failure.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Death Wobble
Took it to my Ford dealer & they replaced the steering damper. They also balanced my front tires. That seems to have fixed it for now. Truck has not shook since then.
David
David
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 162
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How is the trailer load balanced? That is some weight, and even a 5'er/ GN with an unbalanced load can affect the steering.
Also I agree that the dealership put a bandaid on it and you most likely still have an issue.
Also I agree that the dealership put a bandaid on it and you most likely still have an issue.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Jasper, Texas
My '03 2wd with halfway worn michelins would get the DW after hitting minor bumps. Replaced front shocks, checked front end components; no help. Replaced tires with cheaper tires no more DW.
My '05 4wd never has DW.
From what I've read, the DW is a result of improper "Caster". SDs do not have caster adjustment. For example, when you get the shopping cart with the wobbling wheel. The wheel assembly is bent back enough not allowing the wheel to track properly but causing a woble.
I have seen a kit online to add caster adjustment to SDs. I believe this mod will solve the DW problem.
My '05 4wd never has DW.
From what I've read, the DW is a result of improper "Caster". SDs do not have caster adjustment. For example, when you get the shopping cart with the wobbling wheel. The wheel assembly is bent back enough not allowing the wheel to track properly but causing a woble.
I have seen a kit online to add caster adjustment to SDs. I believe this mod will solve the DW problem.
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