05 Front End Problems
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: florida
in agreement with the death wobble. It might have somthing to do with the new front suspension, as it is similar to the dodge hd 4x4 and they experence the death wobble somtimes, especially with bigger tires. The only thing i have read that cures it is different caster/camber/alignment specs and somtimes A good balancing job.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I know in the earlier fords they had the "C" bushing that the radius arms wrapped around to hold the front axle in place. I have not looked real close on the 05s but I would be willing to bet that the "C" bushing is there. It may be too soon in the productions for aftermarket poly bushing to be avaliable but they are far superior to the factory rubber ones that Ford used on the earlier model trucks. You may want to do some searching on them to see if anyone is working on the aftermarket parts.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Caster, Caster, Caster
Originally Posted by capmjack
I work for a company that has recently added several 05 F250 SD 4x4 Super Cab Short Bed trucks to the fleet. We have started experiencing a problem with the front ends that causes anything from a shimmy to a violent, out-of-control, whole vehicle shaking that can only be stopped by a drastic and rapid reduction in speed. We have had the trucks into three different dealers and steering dampers and other various front end parts have been changed with no real positive results. Anybody out there experiencing anything like this and if so, what has been done to eliminate it.
P.s. I hate having to wait 6 weeks for this new truck to come in.
Last edited by BAJA_SD; Jan 13, 2005 at 01:26 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Gilroy, CA
I have 4500 miles on my 05 and no problems. BF Goodrich tires from the factory. After reading several of these posts, it sounds like tires may be the problem. Several years ago I had bad vibration problems after putting a new set of tires on a 1969 Bronco. The tire shop assured me they were perfectly balanced. I even witnessed how well the dynamic balance was done. Problem turned out to be the tires were not round and the tire shop replaced them with another brand. You can get a perfect balance on a square tire but the ride would be very bad.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Poway, CA
Wow does this bring back memories! My 73 Ford half-ton truck had this problem from the day I bought it (new). You are right, it can be very scary!
It would start when you hit a bump or something in the road and, depending on your speed could break into a full oscillation that would cause you to have to come to a complete stop to end.
This concerns me because I just bought a brand new 05 PSD FX4 CC. I only have 200 miles on it and haven't noticed anything yet.
It would start when you hit a bump or something in the road and, depending on your speed could break into a full oscillation that would cause you to have to come to a complete stop to end.
This concerns me because I just bought a brand new 05 PSD FX4 CC. I only have 200 miles on it and haven't noticed anything yet.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
First of all, thanks for all the input, this really is shedding some light on what the root cause may be. Now for the latest from the shop: They have installed the new adjusters and aligned the truck to a different spec than original (still don't know exact numbers), with no noticable improvement. This work being done under warranty and by an authorized Ford service center makes it kind of hard for them to do anything other than what they can get authorized to do through Ford's Hotline. We are pretty much at their mercy as far as what they decide to do. Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to get a more direct response from Ford Engineering?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Originally Posted by Diesel Man
Wow does this bring back memories! My 73 Ford half-ton truck had this problem from the day I bought it (new). You are right, it can be very scary!
It would start when you hit a bump or something in the road and, depending on your speed could break into a full oscillation that would cause you to have to come to a complete stop to end...
It would start when you hit a bump or something in the road and, depending on your speed could break into a full oscillation that would cause you to have to come to a complete stop to end...
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
I would file a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Board (NHTSB) They have the authority to investigate and order a recall if they become convinced that there is a built in safety defect. I have a 2005 F250 SC psd short box 4x4 and with 5500 mi have not seen an uncontrollable shake . I can feel a back and forth shake in the steering crossing railway tracks but I don,t consider it nearly dangerous.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I don't belive the I-beam to be the problem. The trucks I was refering to all the solid front axle, with coil spring setups. I firmly belive that if you look hard enough you will find that one or more of the hard ware componants are not meeting their torque specs or had pre-mature wear. Just my .02 cents.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Poway, CA
You may be correct about the I beam but I know it wasn't a wear problem because my 73 had it from the day I got it new.
I was able to reduce the problem later by installing super heavy duty air shocks and switching from Firestone to Goodyear tires.
I was able to reduce the problem later by installing super heavy duty air shocks and switching from Firestone to Goodyear tires.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
All I am saying is that this problem has been around in the Ford trucks for over 30 years now. Many folks have tried all kinds of fixes and I know there are some very intelligent users here as well. But in my own trials it has almost always boilded down to steering hardware in some shape and fashion if it is the true "Death Wobble". It may be just one part having issues or it could be a combination of several factors but I can almost guarentee that one of the steering parts is contributing.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
From: NE Ohio Lake county
its those wonderful a.t. continental tires. i know a guy with an 05 that all 4 tires were out of round and ford replaced the tires. i,m still arguing with ford over my all terain/allseason tires. had my truck 1 week. i want a.t. tires or my money back for the option.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Poway, CA
I don't see how the tires (alone) can cause this problem. If the tires are out of balance, out of round or have flat spots, you can tell that right away. And it doesn't cause DW when you hit a bump. I've owned many vehicles over the years with tires that had all of these problems and it never caused DW.
If anyone thinks it's the tires are causing this, please post a techinical explanation of how this happens. Thanks, Diesel Man
If anyone thinks it's the tires are causing this, please post a techinical explanation of how this happens. Thanks, Diesel Man