Well I guess it finally happened to me... 2017 F350 KR SRW LWB 21500 miles
Over the last 1000 miles or so I had noticed a little shimmy in the steering wheel when I'd go over a road cut, or a patch, or some small pot holes. Well today I hit one and at around 75 on the interstate and the steering wheel just went freaking bizerk. I tried to just grab it and hold it still to no avail. Eased on the brakes and tried to get to the shoulder with traffic bearing down on me. At 45 mph it still hadn't let up.. as I hit the shoulder at around 40 it finally quit shaking.

My 2012 (same truck, but Lariat) truck with 105k on the clock never did this once. It freaked me out a bit.

Guess I'll be going to the dealer tomorrow.

 

Truck is bone stock, no lift or leveling kit...

 

Dual steering stabilizers will prevent that.

 

I experienced it 3 times in my 2018 F250 6.7. The dealership changed the steering damper about a month ago and it didn't fix the problem. I had the death wobble today and went by the dealer. They said the death wobble doesn't exist. Told me i would have to drop it off next week. So, I contacted an alignment shop in town to have them look at the casters. I've read this is the only way to fix the issue. Stabilizers won't make the issue go away. My death wobble only happens when i cross bridges.

 

Did you tell them about the TSB # 18-2268?

 

and what caster did you set it to?

 

they know, the steering damper is part of the service bulletin. I've been told that they will replace that first and if the problem still exist they will check they other parts.

 

I haven't taken it to the alignment shop yet. I just got off the phone with the ford dealer and they are going to look at it again in the morning. I have an appointment with the alignment shop on Monday.

 

It's a geometry issue, and stabilizers only put a bandage on a larger issue. In a properly setup front end, you dont need a stabilizer to prevent death wobble.

What most are finding is with the funky factory geometry, the second that factory parts start to wear, the wobble presents itself.

Putting more caster in the front end, along with replacing any worn parts usually cures death wobble.

 

For you guys experiencing this - what are the determining factors to know if I'm at risk? I've got the 2017 F350 DRW 6.2L gasser with snowplow/camper package with ~13,500 miles. I carry loads all the time and have gone over significant frost heaves and bumps - never even had a blip as far as what you folks have described.

 

Please report it to NTHSA and fill out the survey. While this is not official nor scientific the data points are not "invalid only partial. Alaska Warbird seems like a crap shoot at this point to determining odds...

https://goo.gl/forms/FDqrvFMQfUmRvrSV2

I will post an updated results doc later today this one is about two weeks old.

 

I concur ^^^ My 17 CCLB had "shimmy" and after 2 new drag links and 3 road force tests it was determined 3 out of the 4 tires were bad- yeah! New Tires! I wanted to go with 35s and my dealer comp'd me a $850 check to use on the tires of my choice (not purchased/installed through Ford).

Notice I said 2 new drag links above? I was informed they come in different lengths??? Who'd a thunk that? The "shorter" one was maxed out and the mechanic put on a longer one. Apparently that didn't work, so another one was put on. How many drag link versions do they have? It's a mere parts-swap game at best as these solid axle front ends are all different.

Eventually, I will be putting on a Carli leveling kit but will add their trac bar. I had their 2.5 Pintops on my 2011 CCSB and loved it! Just wish I would have taken it off prior to selling- they're sure proud of their work ($$$). I'll pay again- sometimes, you actually do get what you pay for!

 

cool - keep us posted, always curious what shops recommend on the caster for DW

 

How much is more - I see people all over the place with numbers from 3*-5*+
I am currently at ~3.5* with a 2.5" level with adjustable RA and Trackbar on 37's. I do not experience anything weird going over bumps so far.

 

thats what they did on mine. Slapped a stabilizer on it and said it was good.