2023 4X4 Front Suspension Changes?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 198
2023 4X4 Front Suspension Changes?
I am hearing Ford has made some changes to address the 'Death Wobble' issue. Supposedly the track bar is longer and at less of an angle. Joints stronger too. Can anyone verify?
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Death Wobble
A lot of the added weight in the heavier front end components on newer Ford trucks was because of the lighter alloy aluminum body materials used in the rest of the vehicles .. this causes premature wear on components that were not having issues on older trucks, such as steering knuckles, front wheel steering arms, ball joints, stabilizer rod connections etc The only thing to prevent this wear is a monthly maintenance routine that becomes harrowing at times... but it cannot be ignored ... or the cost to repair/replace, becomes tremendous. Not sure, why the reply before mine is relevant ... Because Santa drives a Ford....
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Death Wobble
Most of it is just getting under there and greasing and inspecting components. Sometimes jacking the front end off the ground and starting the engine to check steering visually .. one of the best fixes for this newer Ford truck issue is to Pop a set of these in, you can do it in your driveway in an hour by yourself, and no need to get an alignment afterwards. Should notice a significant difference.
https://www.spcalignment.com/index.p...tion&pid=23268
"These sleeves have a fixed positive camber and caster change and are designed specifically to align trucks that have been lifted or to provide more caster change than our standard 23220 Series sleeves. For maximum drivability and to compensate for road crown, use a 23268 on the driver's side and a 23269 on the passenger's side."
Front Adjustment range:
23268 Cam +.50 / Cas +2.3
23269 Cam +.30 / Cas +2.6
https://www.spcalignment.com/index.p...tion&pid=23268
"These sleeves have a fixed positive camber and caster change and are designed specifically to align trucks that have been lifted or to provide more caster change than our standard 23220 Series sleeves. For maximum drivability and to compensate for road crown, use a 23268 on the driver's side and a 23269 on the passenger's side."
Front Adjustment range:
23268 Cam +.50 / Cas +2.3
23269 Cam +.30 / Cas +2.6
Last edited by Mustang308; Apr 29, 2023 at 11:24 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,908
Likes: 3,527
From: Uh oh, CA
As much as I heard about DW before I got my truck, I was pretty much expecting it the day after I drove it home. Turns out, I haven't really seen many complaints about it here in the 17+ pages since I've joined. Most of the talk I have seen is about what to do ahead of time to prevent it. Maybe it hasn't really been an issue the last few years? Although, I did upgrade my front steering stabilizer around 10k miles and I also grease my front u joints every 5k miles when I rotate my tires.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,592
Likes: 1,671
From: NW Wyoming USA
A lot of the added weight in the heavier front end components on newer Ford trucks was because of the lighter alloy aluminum body materials used in the rest of the vehicles .. this causes premature wear on components that were not having issues on older trucks, such as steering knuckles, front wheel steering arms, ball joints, stabilizer rod connections etc The only thing to prevent this wear is a monthly maintenance routine that becomes harrowing at times... but it cannot be ignored ... or the cost to repair/replace, becomes tremendous. Not sure, why the reply before mine is relevant ... Because Santa drives a Ford....
Most of it is just getting under there and greasing and inspecting components. Sometimes jacking the front end off the ground and starting the engine to check steering visually .. one of the best fixes for this newer Ford truck issue is to Pop a set of these in, you can do it in your driveway in an hour by yourself, and no need to get an alignment afterwards. Should notice a significant difference.
https://www.spcalignment.com/index.p...tion&pid=23268
"These sleeves have a fixed positive camber and caster change and are designed specifically to align trucks that have been lifted or to provide more caster change than our standard 23220 Series sleeves. For maximum drivability and to compensate for road crown, use a 23268 on the driver's side and a 23269 on the passenger's side."
Front Adjustment range:
23268 Cam +.50 / Cas +2.3
23269 Cam +.30 / Cas +2.6
https://www.spcalignment.com/index.p...tion&pid=23268
"These sleeves have a fixed positive camber and caster change and are designed specifically to align trucks that have been lifted or to provide more caster change than our standard 23220 Series sleeves. For maximum drivability and to compensate for road crown, use a 23268 on the driver's side and a 23269 on the passenger's side."
Front Adjustment range:
23268 Cam +.50 / Cas +2.3
23269 Cam +.30 / Cas +2.6
And Santa Claus does exist.
This is very enlightening!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 1,116
I have not seen every part yet, but when I have ordered ball joints, tie rods, and drag link since the 2023 model year was released they are still the same parts listed for previous generation D60 coil front end SuperDutys. Not much has changed since 2005 when this front end was introduced.
Ive still got two 2006 model year parts trucks out back I pull front end components from for repairs on newer generation trucks.
Ive still got two 2006 model year parts trucks out back I pull front end components from for repairs on newer generation trucks.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
CJC offroad did a Carli lift on their 2023 using the existing '17-'22 lift parts.
The only parts that did not fit are the radius arms. The mounting position on the axle has changed. That tells me me that the suspension is nearly the same. That's not to say that there couldn't be some geometry changes that help mitigate DW.
The only parts that did not fit are the radius arms. The mounting position on the axle has changed. That tells me me that the suspension is nearly the same. That's not to say that there couldn't be some geometry changes that help mitigate DW.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 72
From: SW Cook County, Illinois
As much as I heard about DW before I got my truck, I was pretty much expecting it the day after I drove it home. Turns out, I haven't really seen many complaints about it here in the 17+ pages since I've joined. Most of the talk I have seen is about what to do ahead of time to prevent it. Maybe it hasn't really been an issue the last few years? Although, I did upgrade my front steering stabilizer around 10k miles and I also grease my front u joints every 5k miles when I rotate my tires.
I applaud you for properly maintaining you truck!
How does greasing two zerk fittings on the front universal joints prevent the dreaded death wobble?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
Thats what I want to know too....monthly?? I better buy more grease then....................
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,908
Likes: 3,527
From: Uh oh, CA
Maybe I'm wrong, but I just haven't really seen any reports of DW, at least around here. Sure, I haven't read all the threads, but it seems to me like the earlier models may have had more issues with DW than the newer models do... Sure, there are lots of YT videos about DW, but it seems to be talked about more than actually happening. Kind of like the CP4's on the diesels.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 1,116
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 72
From: SW Cook County, Illinois
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 563
I wasn't saying that greasing my u joints does anything to prevent DW, but more of a response to the comment above my original comment. And to be clear, I also wasn't saying that the upgraded steering stabilizer is preventing it either. But stabilizers usually tend to get brought up in threads discussing DW.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I just haven't really seen any reports of DW, at least around here. Sure, I haven't read all the threads, but it seems to me like the earlier models may have had more issues with DW than the newer models do... Sure, there are lots of YT videos about DW, but it seems to be talked about more than actually happening. Kind of like the CP4's on the diesels.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I just haven't really seen any reports of DW, at least around here. Sure, I haven't read all the threads, but it seems to me like the earlier models may have had more issues with DW than the newer models do... Sure, there are lots of YT videos about DW, but it seems to be talked about more than actually happening. Kind of like the CP4's on the diesels.
the reason you dont hear much of it today could be for several reason. was it 2yr ago the trucks were lowered which may of helped. theres been 3 or so steering damper revisions which may of helped. front end parts suppliers may have changed which could of helped
