First time death wobble
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
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From: Cheboygan Mi
Its not aligment
In most cases, eliminating tires, worn parts, etc, it is negative caster causing the problem, through all the parts and money ya want at it, it will resurface again until that axle is rotated in the correct axxis, yes they do come from the fact that way, where close enough works and a cpl thousand are built everyday
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
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From: Cheboygan Mi
Key word on your truck, adjustable radius arms, they are the fix, Put a leveling kit and 35s on my jeep and it was a handful to keep going straight, downright scary, lift kit said no other mods necessary, b s , i measured pinion angle and was way off 4+ caster, i got some adjustable locating arm brackets and got it right at 4+. 80mph and you can take hands of steering wheel, if you choose. lol. any easy fix if i get this wobble, ill skip the dealership for a correct fix, but i suppose the adj rad arms arent cheap?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 7
I am not an engineer, or even more mechanically inclined than the level of a mediocre backyard mechanic, so here’s my input.
If increasing the caster settings fixes the geometric alignment, why hasn’t Ford tested this and incorporated the new settings in their builds? It sounds like a fairly easy fix, with no real downside. It’s cheaper than throwing parts at it, would lessen the risk for lawsuits, and would create goodwill with the owners.
If increasing the caster settings fixes the geometric alignment, why hasn’t Ford tested this and incorporated the new settings in their builds? It sounds like a fairly easy fix, with no real downside. It’s cheaper than throwing parts at it, would lessen the risk for lawsuits, and would create goodwill with the owners.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 767
Likes: 78
From: NC
I hope my wife isn't driving when it happens on mine. So far so good, no wobble, but I don't want to be the first one to die from it. Too bad it has to come to that before they'll react and just fix it in a recall.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Cheboygan Mi
Me not engineer either, lol hell can barely spell it, I don’t know the answer, Jeep wranglers are the same way, some shake some don’t, some are so close to neg caster that adding a 100 lb winch to the front sets up the wobble. It’s seems to be the solid axle vehicles and not much of a caster degree window, not sure if this part of the assembly line is man or machine. Steering stabilizers have a function, bump steer mostly and off roading but i would look for the cause of the wobbling first,
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 42
Likes: 3
Well it put a little fear in me after that ride. Hoping to get in to the dealer tomorrow. Dealer down the road has a 2018 Platty equipped just like mine... may have to go talk. Sounds like it's hit or miss if you get the wobble or not...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Cheboygan Mi
Adjustable control arms
It is my belief that there is no way the dealer can adjust the caster, hence the steering stabilizer miracle, and alignment b s , the correct fix is adjustable radius arms, There is limited if any possible adjustments on stock radious arms. For some reason there is enough factory tolerances during build that it’s close enough.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Cheboygan Mi
It’s def a nail biter, I remember the death wobble on my 82 Suzuki gs 1100E at 120 mph, either ya had the ***** to throttle through it or back off and hope it didn’t spit ya off. Either way time to check your shorts, ��
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 555
I am not an engineer, or even more mechanically inclined than the level of a mediocre backyard mechanic, so here’s my input.
If increasing the caster settings fixes the geometric alignment, why hasn’t Ford tested this and incorporated the new settings in their builds? It sounds like a fairly easy fix, with no real downside. It’s cheaper than throwing parts at it, would lessen the risk for lawsuits, and would create goodwill with the owners.
If increasing the caster settings fixes the geometric alignment, why hasn’t Ford tested this and incorporated the new settings in their builds? It sounds like a fairly easy fix, with no real downside. It’s cheaper than throwing parts at it, would lessen the risk for lawsuits, and would create goodwill with the owners.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
thats a tank slapper. death wobble is for 4 wheeled vehicles.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Cheboygan Mi
Tank slapper
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Cheboygan Mi
Pinion angle
since theres really no adjustment to ford axles they would have to either put caster bushings in every truck or make a new welding jig or make adj radius arms. some form of adjustment is the best way imo. but you have to becareful with rolling the axle back as you dont want the pinion pointing down to much.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
i used to get tank slappers tell i replaced my steering head bearings.