Caster and Wobble
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 298
Likes: 5
Caster and Wobble
Got some info about caster setting affecting front end wobble at highway speed. Dealer says "factory setting on the 18s and 19s are different than previous years". Ford trying to cure problem, with little success. Claims at max caster setting now, anymore will be in "Red Zone", what say u guys?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,502
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If you find yourself in upstate NY and want a driveway measurement let me know. I’m a non-interventional alignmentologist. I got my degree from idonttrustdealers U.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
I had some "wobble" issues after I levelled and increased caster. I increased caster to 3.8/4.2 after I lifted the front 1.5in and noticed some unsettled wobble in the front end when hitting bumps. I dropped it down about 1/1.4 deg on L/R and it significantly reduced that "wobble." I never had the stock caster measured pre-lift but I'm guessing it was around 2/2.5 L/R so I'm fairly close to stock caster at this point.
So while there are many/many posts suggesting that more caster is better (myself thinking the same) the result was that more caster in my set up was not appropriate. There could be some other factor involved that is causing the issue but my shocks, stabiliser and track bar are all new and upgraded. Maybe there is a little play in the ball joints/steering end links that caused the issue to present itself (25k miles on the truck).
Good luck.
So while there are many/many posts suggesting that more caster is better (myself thinking the same) the result was that more caster in my set up was not appropriate. There could be some other factor involved that is causing the issue but my shocks, stabiliser and track bar are all new and upgraded. Maybe there is a little play in the ball joints/steering end links that caused the issue to present itself (25k miles on the truck).
Good luck.
New User
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
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I've got less than 3000m on my 2019 F250 CC SB (no mods) and have already been experiencing death wobble. I'll be getting in touch with my local shop and inquiring of the TSB out there for it. Crazy to think this design has been around as long as it has and they don't have it fixed.
I've also filed a complaint with the NTSB.
I've also filed a complaint with the NTSB.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 395
Likes: 95
What are you using to get your specs? Are you aligning your truck yourself? Very interested in not having to take my truck to people who don’t care.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
I took my truck in for the same thing, about 5k miles on it. The Service Mgr and tech drove it, came back with "no Problem Found" but since there was a TSB out they went ahead and replaced the sway bar and dampener. They refused to do the adjustments based on the TSB showing me where it said it could not be done further if there were any aftermarket parts on the front of the vehicle. I have a Weston brush guard. If I wanted it done I would have to remove it and return.
The parts did make a difference but I will take the truck to a local shop that specializes in alignment and suspension work if I feel it gets worse. I have never been happy with a dealer performed alignment.
The parts did make a difference but I will take the truck to a local shop that specializes in alignment and suspension work if I feel it gets worse. I have never been happy with a dealer performed alignment.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
My '17 F250 is my first Super Duty with coil spring front suspension and I have not (yet) experienced the dreaded DW. Had leaf springs in the front of the '01 and '05 Excursions, and in the '75 and '78 FJ40 Landcruisers. The SD pickups switched to coil spring front end in 2005 (Excursion did not since that was its last model year), and I don't recall hearing of DW on the pre-2005 pickups. I may not have been paying attention, but do any of you recall DW on those pickups with leaf spring front ends?
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2018
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I took my truck in for the same thing, about 5k miles on it. The Service Mgr and tech drove it, came back with "no Problem Found" but since there was a TSB out they went ahead and replaced the sway bar and dampener. They refused to do the adjustments based on the TSB showing me where it said it could not be done further if there were any aftermarket parts on the front of the vehicle. I have a Weston brush guard. If I wanted it done I would have to remove it and return.
The parts did make a difference but I will take the truck to a local shop that specializes in alignment and suspension work if I feel it gets worse. I have never been happy with a dealer performed alignment.
The parts did make a difference but I will take the truck to a local shop that specializes in alignment and suspension work if I feel it gets worse. I have never been happy with a dealer performed alignment.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,502
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digital magnetic level
Caster camber gauge:
Cheap toe plates:
Measuring castor requires turning your wheels left and right to 20 degrees for the measurement. Shops have steel turn tables that the wheels rest on for this. I’m instead jacking the vehicle up but maintaining the proper level. When I finish the new garage I’ll probably buy some turn plates...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
Measuring castor requires turning your wheels left and right to 20 degrees for the measurement. Shops have steel turn tables that the wheels rest on for this. I’m instead jacking the vehicle up but maintaining the proper level. When I finish the new garage I’ll probably buy some turn plates...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2018
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Thanks for the tip on the garbage bags!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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shimmy/wobble
hey there, so I looked at a '19 F350 today and when I got to 65 on the highway the wheel shook left and right
I checked the tire monitor and it said 80psi I brought the pressure to 60 and it got better but it was still there
it has 20" Michelin tires on it
the sales person said he had the same problem with another truck and the service dept said the tires were out of balance
I told him to call me after any adjustments are made for another drive
any thoughts?
I checked the tire monitor and it said 80psi I brought the pressure to 60 and it got better but it was still there
it has 20" Michelin tires on it
the sales person said he had the same problem with another truck and the service dept said the tires were out of balance
I told him to call me after any adjustments are made for another drive
any thoughts?
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