Death wobble
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New User
Joined: Nov 2007
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Death wobble
I am new to the Ford ownership. Heard recently from someone about the "Death Wobble". Not sure what that is. Also I seem to have loose steering. I can turn the steering wheel in both directions approximately 1" or 2" before the truck responds. Is this related to Death wobble and what are the repairs that can be made?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 196
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From: Corn country
First I've heard of the death wobble, but when i got my F350 it was always a scarey ride when it hit any bumps in the road...truck would try to steer itself into the ditch or oncoming traffic. Very scarey ride.
Had all the ball joints replaced and this thing drives like a brand new truck, best $800 I've ever spent.
Had all the ball joints replaced and this thing drives like a brand new truck, best $800 I've ever spent.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Corn country
Initally I installed a new steering damper just because it's cheap and fast...in my head i think it drove better, but it was still a death trap. I too had quite a bit of slop in my steering, and my front tires were toed out and looked like an off road racing truck. Now with the new ball joints the steering is very tight/sensative and front tires are now straight up and down. I knew they were bad, but just put off the fix as long as i could.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 46
From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
Do a search for "Death Wobble" on this forum... you'll find enough to reading to keep you busy all night.
Main things to check - ball joints, steering linkage, all suspension bushings (including shocks) on front AND rear. Also... Air pressures. I believe it was Redford who did a detailed air pressure test on his front tires and found that at or slightly below the factory recommended air pressure made for the best steering feel.
Enjoy the new Ford, Welcome to FTE, you've found a great resource!
Main things to check - ball joints, steering linkage, all suspension bushings (including shocks) on front AND rear. Also... Air pressures. I believe it was Redford who did a detailed air pressure test on his front tires and found that at or slightly below the factory recommended air pressure made for the best steering feel.
Enjoy the new Ford, Welcome to FTE, you've found a great resource!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 7
From: Burnsville, MN
Actually, death wobble seems to relate to a perceived bad design issue on the new vehicles, especially the 2005+ models. Your profile shows a 99 250, so you don't have "death wobble", you have worn out steering components.....
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Death wobble is nothing new at all. It can play into a lot of different components, by themselves or at the same time. This is a site for Jeeps, but it breaks it down pretty good: http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/dw.html.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 7
From: Burnsville, MN
We're interested in "death wobble" here as it relates to the Ford trucks, where it has come to relate to unsafe and undriveable conditions immediately following hitting small disruptions in the highway.
(a) This is not what Alaska Tony is describing;
(b) Alaska Tony's problem will not be fixed by adjusting the camber/caster; and
(c) the Jeep situation is discussed in the "death wobble" thread. Check it out!
(a) This is not what Alaska Tony is describing;
(b) Alaska Tony's problem will not be fixed by adjusting the camber/caster; and
(c) the Jeep situation is discussed in the "death wobble" thread. Check it out!
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