Ultimate Death Wobble Thread
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 176
Likes: 11
Good morning,
2012 F-250 Crew Cab. Deleted 6.7 but stock everything else. Extremely well maintained. 184K mi
Death wobble ie: almost uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and extreme vibration of the front suspension while doing 70-80 mph after small bit of rough pavement started it. Happened 2x
Took it in and replaced stabilizer bar. Tires balanced, rotated and alignment done. Had the truck back less than a week - same issue.
Took it back in - track bar diagnosed as the problem. Replaced it. Tires balanced and alignment done again Had it back 1 day - same issue.
I'm in Houston, TX. Anyone know a good shop that actually fixes this problem?
Thanks,
Chuck
2012 F-250 Crew Cab. Deleted 6.7 but stock everything else. Extremely well maintained. 184K mi
Death wobble ie: almost uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and extreme vibration of the front suspension while doing 70-80 mph after small bit of rough pavement started it. Happened 2x
Took it in and replaced stabilizer bar. Tires balanced, rotated and alignment done. Had the truck back less than a week - same issue.
Took it back in - track bar diagnosed as the problem. Replaced it. Tires balanced and alignment done again Had it back 1 day - same issue.
I'm in Houston, TX. Anyone know a good shop that actually fixes this problem?
Thanks,
Chuck
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 412
From: Washington Coast
How old are your shocks. I had a 08 F 350 4X4 with a 6" lift that developed the death wobble after hitting a rough patch or small bump. Found I had a blown shock and one that was leaking (dual shock setup up front). Replaced them and the world was good.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
Good morning,
2012 F-250 Crew Cab. Deleted 6.7 but stock everything else. Extremely well maintained. 184K mi
Death wobble ie: almost uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and extreme vibration of the front suspension while doing 70-80 mph after small bit of rough pavement started it. Happened 2x
Took it in and replaced stabilizer bar. Tires balanced, rotated and alignment done. Had the truck back less than a week - same issue.
Took it back in - track bar diagnosed as the problem. Replaced it. Tires balanced and alignment done again Had it back 1 day - same issue.
I'm in Houston, TX. Anyone know a good shop that actually fixes this problem?
Thanks,
Chuck
2012 F-250 Crew Cab. Deleted 6.7 but stock everything else. Extremely well maintained. 184K mi
Death wobble ie: almost uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and extreme vibration of the front suspension while doing 70-80 mph after small bit of rough pavement started it. Happened 2x
Took it in and replaced stabilizer bar. Tires balanced, rotated and alignment done. Had the truck back less than a week - same issue.
Took it back in - track bar diagnosed as the problem. Replaced it. Tires balanced and alignment done again Had it back 1 day - same issue.
I'm in Houston, TX. Anyone know a good shop that actually fixes this problem?
Thanks,
Chuck
The other place I would recommend is Axle & Wheel Alignment off 225 in Pasadena. They have done some innovative things for me in the past that worked...we had a F350 flatbed dually that had a bad vibration a typical wheel balance couldn't correct. They spun balanced the entire tire/wheel/rotor assembly while still on the truck and it got rid of it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 2
From: Seneca, SC
2014 SuperCab 4x4...134k. Mine has done it once. I checked everything and the only thing I found was a blown shock. I have bilstein shocks sitting in the garage waiting to be put on this weekend. Never had the death wobble in my 2001 super duty, but a place I was working for at the time that I had the '01 had an F350 dump bed that experienced it often. Not sure what they did to fix the dump bed truck's death wobble. The one time I experienced it in my '14 truck, it was not bad at all, just a slight shaking for a few seconds. Truck needed new shocks anyways. If the shocks don't fix it, then I will move to track bar ball joint. If it still does it, then dual stabilizers it is (Even though they are just a band aid).
I agree, that these trucks can experience this in factory new form. Like said above, parts don't have to be worn out for it to happen.
The only other vehicles I know of that have death wobble issues worse than these trucks are 98-06 TJ jeeps. Had two of them and both of them wobbled like crazy after larger tires were installed. Stopped the wobble in them by replacing steering components with beefier stuff i.e. Grand Cherokee steering parts.
I agree, that these trucks can experience this in factory new form. Like said above, parts don't have to be worn out for it to happen.
The only other vehicles I know of that have death wobble issues worse than these trucks are 98-06 TJ jeeps. Had two of them and both of them wobbled like crazy after larger tires were installed. Stopped the wobble in them by replacing steering components with beefier stuff i.e. Grand Cherokee steering parts.
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Update
Good morning,
2012 F-250 Crew Cab. Deleted 6.7 but stock everything else. Extremely well maintained. 184K mi
Death wobble ie: almost uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and extreme vibration of the front suspension while doing 70-80 mph after small bit of rough pavement started it. Happened 2x
Took it in and replaced stabilizer bar. Tires balanced, rotated and alignment done. Had the truck back less than a week - same issue.
Took it back in - track bar diagnosed as the problem. Replaced it. Tires balanced and alignment done again Had it back 1 day - same issue.
I'm in Houston, TX. Anyone know a good shop that actually fixes this problem?
Thanks,
Chuck
2012 F-250 Crew Cab. Deleted 6.7 but stock everything else. Extremely well maintained. 184K mi
Death wobble ie: almost uncontrollable shaking of steering wheel and extreme vibration of the front suspension while doing 70-80 mph after small bit of rough pavement started it. Happened 2x
Took it in and replaced stabilizer bar. Tires balanced, rotated and alignment done. Had the truck back less than a week - same issue.
Took it back in - track bar diagnosed as the problem. Replaced it. Tires balanced and alignment done again Had it back 1 day - same issue.
I'm in Houston, TX. Anyone know a good shop that actually fixes this problem?
Thanks,
Chuck
Driver side shock was bad so replaced them. Drove it for two days and guess what? It's back. The last shop said if it starts up again, it might be the tires. They look great but who knows? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm leaning towards adding a dual stabilizer after market kit but I hear that's just a band-aid. I'm driving to Florida from Houston this Thanksgiving and really need this problem fixed! Please help!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
UPDATE:
Driver side shock was bad so replaced them. Drove it for two days and guess what? It's back. The last shop said if it starts up again, it might be the tires. They look great but who knows? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm leaning towards adding a dual stabilizer after market kit but I hear that's just a band-aid. I'm driving to Florida from Houston this Thanksgiving and really need this problem fixed! Please help!
Driver side shock was bad so replaced them. Drove it for two days and guess what? It's back. The last shop said if it starts up again, it might be the tires. They look great but who knows? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm leaning towards adding a dual stabilizer after market kit but I hear that's just a band-aid. I'm driving to Florida from Houston this Thanksgiving and really need this problem fixed! Please help!
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Did the stabilizer and shock already,, at my wit's end
Chuck, see my post above. In my opinion the steering stabilizer shock creates this issue. I had a 97 2wd that did it when fairly new and Ford put a new shock that solved it for a bit only to return. On my now 00 4wd I have never had the wobble and don't have a shock on it.
The steering stabilizer bar and shock have been replaced. I checked on Pruitt & Son but don't think they are in business anymore. The place off of 225 is far from me and after 3 shops - all highly rated, I think it's time to take it to the dealer. God help me.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
Good morning,
The steering stabilizer bar and shock have been replaced. I checked on Pruitt & Son but don't think they are in business anymore. The place off of 225 is far from me and after 3 shops - all highly rated, I think it's time to take it to the dealer. God help me.
The steering stabilizer bar and shock have been replaced. I checked on Pruitt & Son but don't think they are in business anymore. The place off of 225 is far from me and after 3 shops - all highly rated, I think it's time to take it to the dealer. God help me.
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Removing the shock
At this point I'm willing to do anything up to and including praying to the four winds. I have to admit I'm dubious about removing part of the original truck suspension. I used to have an 01 and never had an issue with that one but the truck got stolen so here I am.
It's at the dealer now getting checked out. I'll keep you posted.
Chuck
It's at the dealer now getting checked out. I'll keep you posted.
Chuck
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
At this point I'm willing to do anything up to and including praying to the four winds. I have to admit I'm dubious about removing part of the original truck suspension. I used to have an 01 and never had an issue with that one but the truck got stolen so here I am.
It's at the dealer now getting checked out. I'll keep you posted.
Chuck
It's at the dealer now getting checked out. I'll keep you posted.
Chuck
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thank you
I had a diesel mechanic at Bayou City Ford, then moved to Tommy Vaughn Ford, tell me years ago with the 97 to remove the shock...problem solved! It may or may not help you, but what do you have to loose at this point. Pruitt is still there btw...
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Your Page Title Goes Here
Thanks for your help. Sorry if I seem snarky, I'm just really frustrated and taking lots of fire from the wife.
Thanks again,
Chuck
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
I'll let you know after I see what the dealer says. If it doesn't fix it I'll follow your advice and see what happens. Maybe a dumb question but you wouldn't recommend an after-market dual stabilizer kit, either?
Thanks for your help. Sorry if I seem snarky, I'm just really frustrated and taking lots of fire from the wife.
Thanks again,
Chuck
Thanks for your help. Sorry if I seem snarky, I'm just really frustrated and taking lots of fire from the wife.
Thanks again,
Chuck
Trailering
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Seems to be a lot of fixes associated with new caster bushings, and my fix is not different. I put in 1 degree bushings. Total caster is now 3.5 deg on either side.
Truck has 204,000 miles on it and it needs new parts. I had no idea buying a used ford may involve the death wobble. Even the two aftermarket steering stabilizers weren't a red flag to me when I bought it.. seems now like they should have been!
I've been documenting my DW fix. You can follow along to my YT videos.
Truck has 204,000 miles on it and it needs new parts. I had no idea buying a used ford may involve the death wobble. Even the two aftermarket steering stabilizers weren't a red flag to me when I bought it.. seems now like they should have been!
I've been documenting my DW fix. You can follow along to my YT videos.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 94
If my truck had death wobble I’d do a quick inspection, access and most likely do a front end rebuild. To make it go away. Some guys said they took the truck in for this, than that, than this....mechanics love fixing 1 thing at a time so they can collect more $. Yea new part looks good we are almost there bring her back next week and we can replace 1 more part hope to get her dialed in. A while back my track bar looked fine but the truck went wide to side on the highway that’s how I knew it was worn. Don’t need be scared of 400ftlbs the way to get it off is 3/4 drive with long extension supported on a jack stand. Than stand on the ratchet grab the truck give her hell. My truck lifted on 35’s has gone from 5 inches of play in the wheel easy way limited to 50mph top speed in the middle of a hurricane evacuation to driving like the ranger. My rebuild was a bit more extensive than most as I had to do the steering colum as well. Aka dropped in a full assembly and saved the pain and suffering of replacing the 3 bearings, clock spring, and trans shifter bracket replacement. Essentially transforming 3 Jobs into 1. I’m no alignment expert but have been told plenty of times we did the best we could with the suspension conditions/do you want us to try xyz is worn. Based on that it seems adjusting caster without the front end proper may lead a long chase.