Violent suspension bouncing!

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May 3, 2004 | 11:41 AM

CETME

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Violent suspension bouncing!

Just picked up my 78 F150... and its got what seems to be a ghetto 4" lift...

At certain times while driving, the steering wheel starts to shake a bit, and then all of a sudden the front suspension seems to be bouncing up and down violently... only way to stop it is to press on the brakes hard and slow down to like 15mph... then it'll be fine for another while until it happens again...

Whats going on? Just replaced the balljoints cause we thought that was the cause... but it's still doing it..... Any ideas? could it be the shocks?

May 3, 2004 | 02:18 PM

neverenough

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Worn tie rods, misalignment, and shocks could be the problem. Replacing just the shocks will most likely just temporarily mask the underlying problem. Check the tie rods for wear, then balance the tires and have an alignment done. In some rare cases, internal broken cords in the tires could cause the problem. Also, don't rule out bent rims, even aluminum rims bend. Wheel bearings can cause the problem too, same with ball joints, but those are new, so I would look to the above areas next. Good luck.

May 3, 2004 | 02:50 PM

F150daniel

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From: spartanburg, SC

It's called "death wobble", I'm sure you can figure out why. It could be caused by just about anything, and be fixed by simply rotating the tires to a total suspension rebuild. Good luck.

May 3, 2004 | 02:52 PM

CETME

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Thanks for the reply... i appreciate it!

I bought the truck recently and am just trying to get it home (280miles away) before I do a frame off restoration on it.... I will replace and do all the things you mentioned above....

I just picked up a set of Rancho 5000 shocks, and will replace them now... hopefully that will prevent the problem for the ride home....

May 3, 2004 | 05:33 PM

78Extended

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Joined: Feb 2002

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Death Wobble

I Had A 77 F150 And It Was The Track Bar Bushings. Take A Look

May 3, 2004 | 08:19 PM

CETME

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thanks.... I will go ahead and replace those as well.....

I installed the shocks..but that didnt do anything.....

so I also picked up all new tie rod links and tie rods as well.... Hope that it stops it....

May 3, 2004 | 08:52 PM

shortbed1

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Joined: Jan 2003

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From: beaufort

Hey cetme that truck probally has a bad steering shock or no shock at all. After u ck the tie rod ends either replace the shock or instal a aftermarket one and that will cure it. I must have installed a 100 of them back in the late 70s working at a ford dealership. Hope that helps chuck

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May 4, 2004 | 05:42 PM

ranger429

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Joined: May 2003

Posts: 4,238

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From: Northern Illinois

did you leave it sitting on the ground in one spot for a long time? with 38's it is wise to go with 2 steering shock's, use the shock's with the 1 5/8" piston bore