Death quake front end...
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Death quake front end...
Folks, i need some knowledge.
2012 F350 6.7. approx, 109k mi. At first it started out a little exaggerated wobble after hitting bumps... Nothing major. I only had 20k on the front shocks.
I replace the stabilizer. That didn't do much.
I then had the front tires balanced and left them on the front. They needed balanced, but that didn't do it either.
I then balanced and rotated all four. nope.
I then replaced the shocks. That actually did allot. I thought I had it nailed. The right one had a "dead spot" in it... odd.... The truck was running smooth,
To be sure I got an alignment done. It wasn't far out.
But then no longer an exaggerated hobble, its an damn whole front end quaking, where I have to slow down before I ditch it. or worse.. This started before the alignment.
Truck has never been wrecked etc. Only problem I have had to date.
Thoughts?
I probably have 20k on the tires. I am taking it to a shoppe to inspect the front end. If everything checks, I guess I buy tires?
g
It doesn't do it all the time. not sure, but it only seems like it when the vehicle is hot
2012 F350 6.7. approx, 109k mi. At first it started out a little exaggerated wobble after hitting bumps... Nothing major. I only had 20k on the front shocks.
I replace the stabilizer. That didn't do much.
I then had the front tires balanced and left them on the front. They needed balanced, but that didn't do it either.
I then balanced and rotated all four. nope.
I then replaced the shocks. That actually did allot. I thought I had it nailed. The right one had a "dead spot" in it... odd.... The truck was running smooth,
To be sure I got an alignment done. It wasn't far out.
But then no longer an exaggerated hobble, its an damn whole front end quaking, where I have to slow down before I ditch it. or worse.. This started before the alignment.
Truck has never been wrecked etc. Only problem I have had to date.
Thoughts?
I probably have 20k on the tires. I am taking it to a shoppe to inspect the front end. If everything checks, I guess I buy tires?
g
It doesn't do it all the time. not sure, but it only seems like it when the vehicle is hot
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Freshman User
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Damn.. thanks for the direction.. I must have been... anyhow, the exact same thing happened to my 03'.
I'll get it looked at.
Thanks.
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Freshman User
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So, not the same thing as my 03', similar.
They called out the track bar bushing and ball joint. $400. They showed me on the truck. good to go.
So I am headed out of town today, about 40 miles down the road.. Its running good and tight. I stop and kill a couple errands etc. then ...it starts to gradually get the loosie goosie crap.. and then I can't stop fast enough.. Happened again. etc. I end up canceling, and turn around.
Its odd. It appears to happened between 40-55. The death ex-wife wobble **** happened after I rotated the tires.. however I was trouble shooting the exaggerated bump jiggle thing...
It only appears to happen when things are warmed up....
I did call the garage back, I trust em. Good vibe etc. Im taking it back Sat.
I have about 20-30k on my tires, Could a bad lot of tires cause this... side walls?
Currently all my tools etc are in storage, however, this appears to have exceeded my abilities.
Any other thoughts?
They called out the track bar bushing and ball joint. $400. They showed me on the truck. good to go.
So I am headed out of town today, about 40 miles down the road.. Its running good and tight. I stop and kill a couple errands etc. then ...it starts to gradually get the loosie goosie crap.. and then I can't stop fast enough.. Happened again. etc. I end up canceling, and turn around.
Its odd. It appears to happened between 40-55. The death ex-wife wobble **** happened after I rotated the tires.. however I was trouble shooting the exaggerated bump jiggle thing...
It only appears to happen when things are warmed up....
I did call the garage back, I trust em. Good vibe etc. Im taking it back Sat.
I have about 20-30k on my tires, Could a bad lot of tires cause this... side walls?
Currently all my tools etc are in storage, however, this appears to have exceeded my abilities.
Any other thoughts?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
I will say bad tires can certainly cause some serious wobble. Especially if one is starting to separate from the tread. I had it happen on a boat trailer and my 2003 F-250. My F-250 was hauling my motorcycle and my old TT. The passenger rear tire separated its tread completely. Do you know how weird it is to see a fully aired up tire with no tread?? By the time I got it to a Discount Tire, the driver side started to separate. My tires had about 40K on them if I remember. So yeah, it is definitely something to check.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
in my experience death wobble is usually related to the steering gearbox and that would be my guess. I recently worked on an 08; guy said it had a death wobble; he ended up getting a new gearbox with hydraulic assist ram...death wobble cured. He had some other work done before this as well; replacing the suspension, front end parts, track bar/joints, etc...none of those helped the death wobble.
my gut is telling me it's something with the gearbox, but i hope you find a cheaper solution
my gut is telling me it's something with the gearbox, but i hope you find a cheaper solution
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,216
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If your keeping the truck rebuild the front entire end it's less in labor than going in doing one thing waiting going back in hoping your good than doing
one more thing vs one days work and a new front end. also I would check the gear box. Turn the key to accessory and have someone shake the wheel while your under the truck and lol for loose stuff
one more thing vs one days work and a new front end. also I would check the gear box. Turn the key to accessory and have someone shake the wheel while your under the truck and lol for loose stuff
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Good responses. Thanks All.
I'll check out the steering box, Just on feel, I bet its good to go, but I'll look at it. Yea, I hope its something cheaper also..
Retorq the track bar, and see what else pops under there...
Ginter, Yea i was reading on that last night. Folks were stating trucks were coming off the line with 1deg. but need 3deg. Im at 3. I just pulled the paper work and was hoping it was 1.. easy way out. Is that what you were picking up also?
I'll check out the steering box, Just on feel, I bet its good to go, but I'll look at it. Yea, I hope its something cheaper also..
Retorq the track bar, and see what else pops under there...
Ginter, Yea i was reading on that last night. Folks were stating trucks were coming off the line with 1deg. but need 3deg. Im at 3. I just pulled the paper work and was hoping it was 1.. easy way out. Is that what you were picking up also?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
Good responses. Thanks All.
I'll check out the steering box, Just on feel, I bet its good to go, but I'll look at it. Yea, I hope its something cheaper also..
Retorq the track bar, and see what else pops under there...
Ginter, Yea i was reading on that last night. Folks were stating trucks were coming off the line with 1deg. but need 3deg. Im at 3. I just pulled the paper work and was hoping it was 1.. easy way out. Is that what you were picking up also?
I'll check out the steering box, Just on feel, I bet its good to go, but I'll look at it. Yea, I hope its something cheaper also..
Retorq the track bar, and see what else pops under there...
Ginter, Yea i was reading on that last night. Folks were stating trucks were coming off the line with 1deg. but need 3deg. Im at 3. I just pulled the paper work and was hoping it was 1.. easy way out. Is that what you were picking up also?
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
If your keeping the truck rebuild the front entire end it's less in labor than going in doing one thing waiting going back in hoping your good than doing
one more thing vs one days work and a new front end. also I would check the gear box. Turn the key to accessory and have someone shake the wheel while your under the truck and lol for loose stuff
one more thing vs one days work and a new front end. also I would check the gear box. Turn the key to accessory and have someone shake the wheel while your under the truck and lol for loose stuff
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 385
Likes: 19
Best Way to check for loose joints.
The best Way to check for loose joints Is to have a friend turn the steering wheel while the truck is running for weight is on the front tires. You can put your hand on each enjoy it while it is steered it back-and-forth. Your hand again feel a tiny amount of movement before your eye can see the slop.
Your attention needs to be spent on finding worn parts that affect caster angle. A worn steering box will wander down the road but essentially it will drive in a straight line with no wobble.
You need to make sure there is more than 0 for toe in, like .16 min. but The majority of wobble will be corrected with additional castor.
Your attention needs to be spent on finding worn parts that affect caster angle. A worn steering box will wander down the road but essentially it will drive in a straight line with no wobble.
You need to make sure there is more than 0 for toe in, like .16 min. but The majority of wobble will be corrected with additional castor.