Notices
2017 - 2022 Super Duty The 2017-2022 Ford F250, F350, F450, F550 & F600 Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Need help Finding a reputable alignment shop

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 13, 2019 | 09:08 AM
  #1  
Pennsyltuckian's Avatar
Pennsyltuckian
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
Need help Finding a reputable alignment shop

I am at the end of my patience with Ford trying to fix my death wobble. its beginning to cost me too much time and money taking it back repeatedly and have them guess what they think is wrong with it. I live in South East Pennsylvania, West Chester area. If anyone on here knows a reputable alignment shop to point me to so I can get this damn death wobble resolved it'd be greatly appreciated. I could google it, but I don't want my hard earned money being a test dummy for a shop that might not be very good, I'd prefer to go somewhere that others can vouch for with this same issue.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2019 | 04:52 PM
  #2  
HRTKD's Avatar
HRTKD
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,693
Likes: 12,818
From: Wyoming
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Pennsyltuckian
I am at the end of my patience with Ford trying to fix my death wobble. its beginning to cost me too much time and money taking it back repeatedly and have them guess what they think is wrong with it. I live in South East Pennsylvania, West Chester area. If anyone on here knows a reputable alignment shop to point me to so I can get this damn death wobble resolved it'd be greatly appreciated. I could google it, but I don't want my hard earned money being a test dummy for a shop that might not be very good, I'd prefer to go somewhere that others can vouch for with this same issue.

Thanks
Based on my reading of the many Death Wobble threads, there is no silver bullet to solving Death Wobble. What works for one guy, doesn't work for another.

Tell us what the dealership has tried and we'll suggest other options.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2019 | 09:03 PM
  #3  
Pennsyltuckian's Avatar
Pennsyltuckian
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
Originally Posted by HRTKD
Based on my reading of the many Death Wobble threads, there is no silver bullet to solving Death Wobble. What works for one guy, doesn't work for another.

Tell us what the dealership has tried and we'll suggest other options.
The first trip they installed a new steering stabilizer. The second a new track bar and another steering stabilizer. And it did it again within 3 days of the second “repair”.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2019 | 09:32 PM
  #4  
Finkikus's Avatar
Finkikus
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
I am in the same boat with you and opted for caster shims. I simply cannot afford to take my truck that i use for a one man business every day to the dealer over and over and lose money. They offered me a loaner I cannot tow with.... so i cannot work. It seems if you can get your caster in the high 3's almost to 4 degrees the front end becomes a lot more solid. At least this is the path i am chasing.

I also purchased new tires and a fox ats stabilizer (gets here in 2 days).

In the last week death wobble came back at 21k with my pregnant wife in the truck. Death wobble first occured at 14k and they replaced the stabilizer. I have a baby due next friday. Can't take many chances. Dealer wouldn't even look at my truck and asked me to make another "appointment". Last time i made one with them they lost my appointment info.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2019 | 10:32 PM
  #5  
HRTKD's Avatar
HRTKD
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,693
Likes: 12,818
From: Wyoming
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Pennsyltuckian
The first trip they installed a new steering stabilizer. The second a new track bar and another steering stabilizer. And it did it again within 3 days of the second “repair”.
How many miles? Stock truck?

This is an overly general statement: It's never wrong to do an alignment.

However, finding someone that knows how a bad alignment can contribute to Death Wobble could be challenging. Some guys are reporting that to solve Death Wobble they had to have the alignment put at the extreme end of, or even outside, what the Ford spec calls for. Your normal alignment guy is probably going to shoot for somewhere in the middle of the broad range that Ford says is acceptable.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2019 | 10:19 AM
  #6  
Pennsyltuckian's Avatar
Pennsyltuckian
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
Originally Posted by Finkikus
I am in the same boat with you and opted for caster shims. I simply cannot afford to take my truck that i use for a one man business every day to the dealer over and over and lose money. They offered me a loaner I cannot tow with.... so i cannot work. It seems if you can get your caster in the high 3's almost to 4 degrees the front end becomes a lot more solid. At least this is the path i am chasing.

I also purchased new tires and a fox ats stabilizer (gets here in 2 days).

In the last week death wobble came back at 21k with my pregnant wife in the truck. Death wobble first occurred at 14k and they replaced the stabilizer. I have a baby due next Friday. Can't take many chances. Dealer wouldn't even look at my truck and asked me to make another "appointment". Last time i made one with them they lost my appointment info.
My dealer won't even offer a loaner. This is my only vehicle and I need something to commute to work. I used my motorcycle the last few times I had it in, but the weather is FAR to cold for that now.
Is the steering stabilizer a direct replacement for the OEM one? If so I'm interested in this as my truck is 100% stock. Many of the better dampers are for lifted trucks and not a direct replacement.
I have also read of the castor which is why I wanted a good alignment shop. Carli sells 2 degree castor shims for $60. I was going to order those and then get an alignment.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2019 | 10:23 AM
  #7  
Pennsyltuckian's Avatar
Pennsyltuckian
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
Originally Posted by HRTKD
How many miles? Stock truck?

This is an overly general statement: It's never wrong to do an alignment.

However, finding someone that knows how a bad alignment can contribute to Death Wobble could be challenging. Some guys are reporting that to solve Death Wobble they had to have the alignment put at the extreme end of, or even outside, what the Ford spec calls for. Your normal alignment guy is probably going to shoot for somewhere in the middle of the broad range that Ford says is acceptable.
I'm currently at 41K on the odometer. Truck is 100% stock. Yes, I want an alignment shop versed in the death wobble and the correction of it. Taking it somewhere that has never dealt with it will likely yield me poor results.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2019 | 04:05 PM
  #8  
Finkikus's Avatar
Finkikus
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Pennsyltuckian
My dealer won't even offer a loaner. This is my only vehicle and I need something to commute to work. I used my motorcycle the last few times I had it in, but the weather is FAR to cold for that now.
Is the steering stabilizer a direct replacement for the OEM one? If so I'm interested in this as my truck is 100% stock. Many of the better dampers are for lifted trucks and not a direct replacement.
I have also read of the castor which is why I wanted a good alignment shop. Carli sells 2 degree castor shims for $60. I was going to order those and then get an alignment.
Yes it replaces the OEM one.

I ordered the carli equivalent ones off of amazon for a little cheaper and they should get here tomorrow along with my stabilizer.

The problem is you replace the stabilizer and everything is good till its not, then you are right back where you started... Kind of like when you left the dealer when you first bought your truck until it was worn out enough to not mask the cause of death wobble.

I will definitely report back with my alignment info (going tomorrow to get an alignment). I am going to ask them to align it before (tomorrow) and after i install the caster shims (tomorrow evening or over the weekend) to see what my caster is with the stock setup and to also get some sort of baseline before i install them.

I will say all I've done is replace the tires with some nitto ridge grapplers and have seen a huge improvement going over bumps towing my 8k trailer and also my 14k trailer yesterday. I have not gone down the highway where i normally encounter death wobble with either so I can't say it is fixed.

My stock tires were the wranglers, not sure what you have. lasted 20k miles

Also want to include i am 100% stock. I have no plans to lift or do anything since it is a work truck.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
frdf250
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Mar 14, 2024 06:24 PM
Steve Hinson
Tennessee Chapter
6
Jun 14, 2016 04:57 PM
60RatRod
Nevada Chapter
4
Jan 16, 2011 07:38 AM
sharpshooter
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
7
Jan 14, 2008 09:51 PM
topfisherman
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
7
Jul 27, 2004 06:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:49 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE