Factory height / death wobble
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Junior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
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Factory height / death wobble
I have an 08 f250 king ranch crew cab 4x4 every now and then ill get the death wobble but its not over every bump ive read around and heard its ball joints or needs dual stabilizers its got all new ball joints gonna get it aligned Wednesday ive also heard that it needs more caster in it than what factory suggests and also worn out shocks can also cause this any ideas on what would legitimately fix it would be great?
also as for the factory shock height i bought my truck used so i have no clue if its lifted or not but its got 325/60r20 for tires i am in need of new shocks so i would like to know factory shock and spring height so i can figure out what to get?
thanks in advance
also as for the factory shock height i bought my truck used so i have no clue if its lifted or not but its got 325/60r20 for tires i am in need of new shocks so i would like to know factory shock and spring height so i can figure out what to get?
thanks in advance
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 409
Likes: 106
From: Wasilla
Back when the truck was new (14-15 yrs ago) there was no death wobble, go thru the entire front end and replace all worn components then give it a stock spec alignment. It will then operate the way it did when new. Good Luck, Russ
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
Good advice Russ. From reading the net, it sounds like a little more caster than factory is a good thing, but hey, I’m an internet model and you should listen to me...
When I get mine aligned, I plan to have a little more than factory caster put in if possible, but t your mileage may very...
And Russ - Hello neighbor. I actually think we have met, although many years ago. You remind me of someone I sold tires, or wheels to
when I worked for American Tire in Anchorage. I think you and your brother use to come in together. (Back in 1995-2008)
When I get mine aligned, I plan to have a little more than factory caster put in if possible, but t your mileage may very...
And Russ - Hello neighbor. I actually think we have met, although many years ago. You remind me of someone I sold tires, or wheels to
when I worked for American Tire in Anchorage. I think you and your brother use to come in together. (Back in 1995-2008)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 273
From: Tulare U.S.A.
Tires can also effect DW. Make sure you have good rubber that are balanced and the air pressure is equal on both sides. Also don't forget about the front shocks. My 2011 got DW going down hill with my 12,000lb. trailer behind it. Not fun, but it turned out to be warped front brake rotors setting it off. New rotors and pads and all was good. If it is not doing it under braking than your problem is elsewhere.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 196
Likes: 7
Good advice Russ. From reading the net, it sounds like a little more caster than factory is a good thing, but hey, I’m an internet model and you should listen to me...
When I get mine aligned, I plan to have a little more than factory caster put in if possible, but t your mileage may very...
And Russ - Hello neighbor. I actually think we have met, although many years ago. You remind me of someone I sold tires, or wheels to
when I worked for American Tire in Anchorage. I think you and your brother use to come in together. (Back in 1995-2008)
When I get mine aligned, I plan to have a little more than factory caster put in if possible, but t your mileage may very...
And Russ - Hello neighbor. I actually think we have met, although many years ago. You remind me of someone I sold tires, or wheels to
when I worked for American Tire in Anchorage. I think you and your brother use to come in together. (Back in 1995-2008)
Another thing I would suggest is to check and measure your steering gear over-center preload. Rebuilding the front end is a great suggestion. I would recommend that you use only top shelf parts, and not plain white box stuff from Amazon...
If you look closely, just below the caliper in this image, you can see the 38mm hex of one of the SPC bushings, rotated into it's maximum caster position.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 412
From: Washington Coast
You’ve probably got all the right suggestions on where to look and what to fix/replace,
when they’re right you’re golden, my 17 year old truck with over 160,000 still has the original steering dampner and I know it’s shot but I get no wobble, everything up front is tight, factory alignment, 20,000 miles on my shocks, they get replaced at 30,000 with pure hydraulics, no gas charges for me.
when they’re right you’re golden, my 17 year old truck with over 160,000 still has the original steering dampner and I know it’s shot but I get no wobble, everything up front is tight, factory alignment, 20,000 miles on my shocks, they get replaced at 30,000 with pure hydraulics, no gas charges for me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Drastic changes in wheel offset or width can alter alignment and effect handling. When i go from stock size winter tires and rims to higher offset, wider and staggered summer tires and rims on my car i get bad bump steer until i get it realigned. Get the alignment done, then see how it is.
Check your track bar bushings also. Death wobble is caused by loose or worn steering or suspension components. Putting a stabilizer on before fully inspecting everything else will just mask the underlying problems.
Check your track bar bushings also. Death wobble is caused by loose or worn steering or suspension components. Putting a stabilizer on before fully inspecting everything else will just mask the underlying problems.
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