steering stabilizer caused death wobble?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
steering stabilizer caused death wobble?
So I am kinda at a loss here. I had bought a 2011 F250 with a 125,000 miles. After a few months I decided to upgrade the stock shocks. I could tell that they were pretty much shot. So after a lot of research I went with the Bilstein 5100, and it was a night and day improvement. I was pretty impressed with the new feel I had with the ride quality. so a couple of weeks ago I decided to upgrade the steering stabilizer, and purchased the Bilstein steering stabilizer. After getting it installed I took the truck out for a test drive, and it felt way better. I no longer had the steering shake as well. After going on a trip I was doing 70mph, hit a bump, then it hit "DEATH WOBBLE". It felt like the whole truck was about to come apart, it scared my wife more than it did me. I had driven way faster, hitting bumps, and never had this until now. It has happened 4 times now, and just today it happened again. I will be putting the stock stabilizer back on tomorrow to see if I can make it happen again. Am I missing something here? Could this just be a coincidence? just seems odd how I never had this issue until the stabilizer change. Has anybody ever heard of this before?
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 267
Likes: 31
I'm not real up on the causes of death wobble on the coil sprung trucks, but I have no doubt you'll get some good info from someone who is though. As far as the steering stabilizer goes, a stabilizer can mask the symptoms of death wobble, but it's not going to fix the root cause (or be the cause itself). You have something else going on.
Edit:Try searching ford truck enthusiasts death wobble on google. Should give you plenty to read.
Edit:Try searching ford truck enthusiasts death wobble on google. Should give you plenty to read.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Welcome to FTE. 
Grab a flashlight, Remove the stab, crawl under the truck with help, with truck on the ground, have them turn the wheels slowly while you’re looking at the connections. Pitman (both ends) TRE, DL, BJ etc. You’re looking for loose connections, play, area’s that should be tight but they move etc. Then put front end on jack stands and do the same thing...8 yrs &125K is a lot of wear and tear on a heavy front end.
Grab a flashlight, Remove the stab, crawl under the truck with help, with truck on the ground, have them turn the wheels slowly while you’re looking at the connections. Pitman (both ends) TRE, DL, BJ etc. You’re looking for loose connections, play, area’s that should be tight but they move etc. Then put front end on jack stands and do the same thing...8 yrs &125K is a lot of wear and tear on a heavy front end.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thanks guys for the responses, I've read countless articles on this topic, and it doesnt really hit home until it happens to you. I was pretty upset, and my first thought was as much as these trucks cost and this is what I have to deal with? I am mainly concerned with the safety aspect of all this, as my wife doesnt want to ever ride in my truck until this is figured out. Honestly I don't blame her.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,919
Likes: 510
Well, I find it hard to believe the Bilstein stabilizer caused the DW, but of course "anything is possible."
I had the exact opposite experience on my '11 CCLB 4x4 -- there was a particular expansion joint/bridge transition south of Golden, CO that'd kick my *** everytime if I had a trailer hooked up (unweights the front end a bit). I wasn't convinced the MC stabilizer would get the job done based on reviews, and went Bilstein. Solved all my problems.
Now, the TRUE solution is to build more caster into the front (Team TTB was pissed Ford finally abandoned their ****-poor design and so when reassigned those engineers had to try to botch a SFA) - BD Diesel I believe it is offers a kit but it requires a skill set beyond that of most weekend warriors. I was gonna go this way but a simple bolt-on stabilizer fixed me up and I've got other things to do......
I had the exact opposite experience on my '11 CCLB 4x4 -- there was a particular expansion joint/bridge transition south of Golden, CO that'd kick my *** everytime if I had a trailer hooked up (unweights the front end a bit). I wasn't convinced the MC stabilizer would get the job done based on reviews, and went Bilstein. Solved all my problems.
Now, the TRUE solution is to build more caster into the front (Team TTB was pissed Ford finally abandoned their ****-poor design and so when reassigned those engineers had to try to botch a SFA) - BD Diesel I believe it is offers a kit but it requires a skill set beyond that of most weekend warriors. I was gonna go this way but a simple bolt-on stabilizer fixed me up and I've got other things to do......
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
It just seemed odd that I had never dealt with the DW until I swapped the stabilizer. Literally 2 days after on a smooth highway, hit the bump and boom. I thought we were going to die.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Welcome to FTE.
Grab a flashlight, Remove the stab, crawl under the truck with help, with truck on the ground, have them turn the wheels slowly while you’re looking at the connections. Pitman (both ends) TRE, DL, BJ etc. You’re looking for loose connections, play, area’s that should be tight but they move etc. Then put front end on jack stands and do the same thing...8 yrs &125K is a lot of wear and tear on a heavy front end.
Grab a flashlight, Remove the stab, crawl under the truck with help, with truck on the ground, have them turn the wheels slowly while you’re looking at the connections. Pitman (both ends) TRE, DL, BJ etc. You’re looking for loose connections, play, area’s that should be tight but they move etc. Then put front end on jack stands and do the same thing...8 yrs &125K is a lot of wear and tear on a heavy front end.
Yes, the first time you experience it you’ll think you’re going to die. You gotta die from something right?
>>>>> SIMPLY,take your foot off accelerator and coast until the front wheels slow down.
Check the items posted above, something is worn out. The new shocks and new stab took a lot of slop out of the front end, what remained most likely caused the DW.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
OK so its not the stabilizer, I put the original back on, and hit the highway, and guess what? It happened again. I'm waiting for my buddy to get home from work so I can hav someone turn the steering for me. there is definitely something else. I coasted at a low speed while turning the steering back and forth, and I can hear a slight knocking type sound coming from the front end. I will keep everybody posted. Thanks again for the advice.
New User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Good luck. Mine is in the same situation as yours. (2012 with 165K miles, 6.7L) The right bump in the highway and you need to slow down to 50 to get the shimmy to go away. My mechanic is going to replace the steering stablizer and the drag link (which is where he tells me the play is coming from) pretty soon. Until I get it in the shop, I'll keep it on regular roads and off of the highway.
This has been a consistent issue with my truck as front end parts wear out. The steering stablizer was replaced at 50k Miles, a tie rod end was replaced at 100K miles. I guess I'm due for more front end pieces again.
This has been a consistent issue with my truck as front end parts wear out. The steering stablizer was replaced at 50k Miles, a tie rod end was replaced at 100K miles. I guess I'm due for more front end pieces again.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,919
Likes: 510
Good luck. Mine is in the same situation as yours. (2012 with 165K miles, 6.7L) The right bump in the highway and you need to slow down to 50 to get the shimmy to go away. My mechanic is going to replace the steering stablizer and the drag link (which is where he tells me the play is coming from) pretty soon. Until I get it in the shop, I'll keep it on regular roads and off of the highway.
This has been a consistent issue with my truck as front end parts wear out. The steering stablizer was replaced at 50k Miles, a tie rod end was replaced at 100K miles. I guess I'm due for more front end pieces again.
This has been a consistent issue with my truck as front end parts wear out. The steering stablizer was replaced at 50k Miles, a tie rod end was replaced at 100K miles. I guess I'm due for more front end pieces again.
As to the OP: I'm not able to make out much from the video but it's something that is really an "in-person" and even by-feel thing. The movements we're looking for will be small and you may need to keep a hand on the knuckle/tie rod, tie rod/drag link, drag link/pitman arm and track bar/brackets to FEEL for a difference in movement.
With the track bar there really should be zero movement. On something like knuckle and tie rod that move together, you might need to feel for one heading off in a given direction a fraction of a second before the other does. Watch for pinch hazards and make sure the person behind the wheel can hear you scream
It's really too bad Ford didn't put just another ~2 degrees caster into these front ends.......
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
4EXTRDR
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
13
May 12, 2011 10:59 AM