We have had more than a dozen Super Duty F250 and F350 trucks over the years. Waiting on our F450 to arrive presently. Not one DW on any of them, ever. Of course our old company Dodge's had DW included from the factory at no extra charge.

 

Two wrongs don't make a right.
This early death wobble is very troubling to me.
My hope was to buy a 2020, but if this issue, and a slew of other ridiculous problems
aren't addressed, I'm looking elsewhere.

 

Having had 3 dodge trucks with DW, I fully understand. I also have a really hard time understanding why a $70k+ truck brand new or very near should be having problems with the steering linkage and / or incorrect caster set as a result of inability to set caster (poor design) or part degradation.It is not difficult to properly set up a live solid axle to perform well for at least a couple hundred thousand miles. And there is no way that tie rod ends or other components should wear badly enough in 10k miles to induce DW. Much as I really like the ford superduty trucks, this is a problem that we should not be reading about IMHO. There are 2 groups of issues that really ruin an owners experience: DW or other front end issues, and electrical problems.

Of course, out of the thousands of trucks ford has sold, the percentage of trucks with DW is likely minute but we read about them on forums so it sounds very pervasive when in fact it really is not. Which does not help the guy who has a new $70k truck sitting in the driveway that is so bad no one wants to drive it in fear of safety.

 

2017 Lariat 4X4 6.7L - 17,500 miles. Happened to me twice just yesterday... First time was at 60mph on flat/straight State Highway, second time was at 70mph on Interstate going over a bridge on a curve (no load & no trailer). Second event was much more pronounced than the first, possibly due to the additional 10mph? Had to slow to under 30 and pull off and out of traffic before it stabilized. Calling the dealer armed with the 18-2268 TSB info. Love my truck, but don't want to experience this in heavy traffic.

 

Report it....
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

 

Thanks for posting this. I completed your survey. My truck is a 2018 F250 special ordered in November, built in January 2018. It is a Long Bed, 4x4 King Ranch Crew cab with most options including FX4 off-road package, locking diffs, but I do have the 18" wheels and tires. It is the Diesel 6.7. This is my 3rd super Duty (had very similarly equipped King Ranches 2008, and 2013). I have owned 9 brand new Fords in my lifetime (starting with an '89 mustang, the latter 8 I have ordered. 2 mustangs, 4 F150's, 3 F250's. This is the first one that has been scared me.

I have had the wobble, loaded, pulling bumper pull utility, goose-neck, and unloaded. Always rough pavement, but could be just a replaced tube or expansion joint, mostly in the 20-50 degrees Fahrenheit, always over 50mph. You NEVER can predict when it will happen (or won't). I am on my 3rd stabilizer, no modifications to truck, 18" wheels, never made any adjustments to caster/toe/camber by dealer. Always told me about tires, Tires started wearing prematurely from beginning, but they are Goodyear wranglers (not my favorite tire). Problems started at or around 15,000-18000 miles, stabilizer never fixes problem. Could put stabilizer on one day and have DW next.

I have entered a formal complaint with Ford. This might be my last Ford, as much as it pains me to say...

 

I posted this in another DW thread. But I wanted to post here as well. I called Fox earlier this week and asked "WTF?" as their website say that the PS 2.0 IFP (985-24-001) only fits up to the 2016 model year, but other websites (like 4WP) show that it fits up to the current model year. They said initially that 985-24-001 did not fit the 2017+ because there was a bushing installed on the rod that limited the travel. They found that the bushing wasn't required and have since removed the bushing and that 985-24-001 will indeed fit on the 2017+. However, I informed them that their website did not reflect this. He said he would look into it, but I'm not certain they will fix their website.

Anthony
2017 F-250 Lariat

 

Death Wobble Fixed:

As I am no longer under warranty, I replaced my steering stabilizer with a Fox IFP 2.0 stabilizer in my driveway for $160. Then, I took it to an independent truck alignment shop and told them to reduce the caster as much as possible. Ford recommended reducing it to the minimum of about 1.8. My Truck seemed to have about 4.5 on each side from the factory (which was acceptable, but high.) So the 17's and 18's may have been set with too much caster from the factory before the problem was discovered. The Shop did it for $100 in parts (Two caster bushings) and $120 Alignment and $100 in labor costs. Bringing it to $320 total. Ford was back ordered on caster bushings @ $90 Each, back ordered on the stock steering stabilizer and quoted me about $800 for their fix. So far, replacing both the steering stabilizer (although the old one was not too bad off) and reducing the caster seems to have worked as I cannot replicate the previous DW.

 

Hmmm not sure how reducing caster can possibly fix DW. All my trucks that have had DW, I had to move caster adjustment to 5*+ -and- most importantly, find and replace worn steering parts (most notably the track bar) but also worn TREs to resolve the problem. Never reducing the caster.

 

Plus the welding on the Lewis built pieces is just gorgeous. Wow. Beautiful craftsmanship for sure.

 

Why I was wondering if there is not a complete replacement for the steering components in the front end like Synergy makes for the dodge trucks. Guess not. I have not found any online. Wish Lewis built would make a complete replacement for everything but the axle in the ford front ends. Radius arms forward. Sell with some good King pintops or Fox etc.

 

I am not sure either, but Ford released a TSB for the 17s and a TSB for the previous generation recommending a reduction in caster. The previous generation TSB clearly details the caster reduction. However, I have read of multiple other people who have increased their caster also with good results too, what ever works I suppose. I also viewed the DW youtube video by Bill Hewitt who goes over caster reduction to cure the DW. He does a good job of going over the importance of caster reduction and why it worked for their trucks. Additionally, I agree the track bar can become worn and contribute to the problem. Many people have had their track bars upgraded and it has helped solve the problem. In my instance, my track bar was not loose or worn so I did not replace it. Time will tell if it needs to be replaced too. I tow a 5th wheel and mostly only do highway driving. Safe travels!

 

Edited:

I have to figure out which questions to ask.. The caster/camber, shims, cams.. all confusing.

I'm obviously already taking steps to try to prevent DW from ever happening with these parts to be installed (some already in hand):

Fox ATS SS
Lewis Built track bar
Fox 2.0 shocks.

Should I consider camber adjustability (cams, bushings, shims) on a stock suspension F350 with Plow Prep and an upgraded track bar or just sit tight if and until I get DW?
Been trying to get out in front of this in case DW happens so I don't have to do a bunch of research while afraid to drive my truck. When I need it, I need it.
I'm finding caster cams, camber cams/bushings/shims... yeah, I'll read the entire thread again if I have to.

https://performancetruckproducts.com...h_query=caster

https://www.carid.com/icon-vehicle-d...&url=102360082

 

My questions to Performance Truck Products:

CARLI SUSPENSION CASTER CAM -2.0* F250 / F350 4X4
CARLI SUSPENSION CASTER CAM -1.0* F250 / F350 4X4

"Are these to be used only with Leveling Kits or can they be of benefit on stock height F350 (Snow Plow Prep springs) with upgraded adjustable track bar? If so, how do I know which to use, 1* or 2*?
Depending on who you read the caster on these Fords should be either increased to 5*or decreased to minimum. Forgive my ignorance but are these cam for only decreasing caster?"

And the reply:

I think it would be best to contact Carli directly with those questions, we do not have that much experience with those parts, first hand.

Thanks
Nate Dwyer
Customer Service
Performance Truck Products

 

Just experienced this Saturday. 2017 F250 XLT. Stock, no mods. 19,000mi. Going between 60 and 70. Hit a bridge joint and thought I'd broken something. Slowed and pulled off the road. Smoothed out around 30mph. I appreciate all of the posts on this forum regarding this. Truck goes in Thursday to be checked out. Service guy seemed very knowledgeable about it. Thanks for the TSB info. Folks on this forum are great. Thank you all.