what is death wobble??
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: USA
what is death wobble??
hey guys, jusy getting into the super duty market after letting go of my 97 cc psd. man i miss that truck, but school comes first. so as i read up on these truck i keep hearing about the death wobble...what is it? how can i tell if a truck has it? and what does it take to fix it? i am looking a trucks all over the south west and dont want to lay a down on something that needs to be fixed right away.
thanks guys.
thanks guys.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Iowa
The death wobble as it has been called is when you are traveling on the highway , hit a bump and the whole truck shakes severely. It has been known to put trucks in the ditch. No one has been seriously hurt to my knowledge. The fixes vary but better shocks seems to be the one to cure most problems. Make sure tirepressure is correct, check the ball joints but most of all, just test drive the truck and see how tight the front end is.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Easley, South Carolina
I have experienced this very thing several times and yes it appears to be related to crewcabs whether or not they are F250(brotherinlaw) or F350 (mine), worse on the 4X2's. The quick fix is to take your tires off the front end and have them professionally balanced at a reputable tire shop not WALMART or Sam's clubs. Inspect the tires for cupping (shoulder wear), if you see this then you will most likely need to replace tie-rods and center drag link. You will then see a noticeable improvement in the drive. One of the telltale signs aside from 'getting up to highway speed' is that between 20-40mph on a slightly bumpy road your steering gets sloppy and the wheel will fight your input, hit the brakes and it will settle out. Don't wait to long to get this simple fix done as you will shake the rest of the front end apart. I just had my front wheels rebalanced at Steve's Tire and Alignment in Easley SC, highly recommend this shop they know what they are doing.
Cheers
Cheers
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Under a rock in PA
Originally Posted by redford
It seems to be limited to the Crew Cab trucks. I haven't read about a case in the shorter wheelbase trucks, like a Super Cab short bed or a regular cab truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NorCal
The "Death Wobble" can be caused by several different things such as tires out of balance, loose or worn steering parts, bad shocks, or bad alignment angles.
On my 2005 I had no problems stock or when I added a 2-1/2" leveling kit, but when I put on a 5" procomp lift (still with stock tires and wheels), I had the death wobble. If I would hit any bump or pothole over 40 mph, the front wheels would start shaking like crazy and it would scare the @$%#@ out of me. I added a dual steering stabilizer kit and had no more problem.
On my 2005 I had no problems stock or when I added a 2-1/2" leveling kit, but when I put on a 5" procomp lift (still with stock tires and wheels), I had the death wobble. If I would hit any bump or pothole over 40 mph, the front wheels would start shaking like crazy and it would scare the @$%#@ out of me. I added a dual steering stabilizer kit and had no more problem.
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From: Billings, MT
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Posting Guru
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From: NorCal
It can happen to any year superduty, just seems to be alot more common on the 2005 and newer. Maybe the coil spring suspension is more picky about things.
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From: NorCal
Originally Posted by CarbedNotch
Death Wobble Is When Your Tires Are Flat Spotted!!
Especially If You Have Big Bias Tires That Have Been Sitting For Long Periods Of Time. Thats The Only Dead Wobble.
Especially If You Have Big Bias Tires That Have Been Sitting For Long Periods Of Time. Thats The Only Dead Wobble.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Tallahassee
Originally Posted by GregsSD
I know how that feels, it can be a very rough ride, but it is nothing compared to having your front wheels start shaking back and forth at highway speeds and feel like they are going to break right off the truck !
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From: Stephensville WI
Originally Posted by Hellrazor1
My 06 Regular cab, 8' bed, 4x4, 5.4l at work is currently giving me problems with death wobble.
This is the first case I have heard of in a non CC truck.
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From: Under a rock in PA
Originally Posted by redford
OK, I stand corrected. Thank you for the information.
This is the first case I have heard of in a non CC truck.
This is the first case I have heard of in a non CC truck.
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Death wobble
Originally Posted by CarbedNotch
Death Wobble Is When Your Tires Are Flat Spotted!!
Especially If You Have Big Bias Tires That Have Been Sitting For Long Periods Of Time. Thats The Only Dead Wobble.
Especially If You Have Big Bias Tires That Have Been Sitting For Long Periods Of Time. Thats The Only Dead Wobble.