Go Figure
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Go Figure
So, after experiencing the "death wobble" in my '06 F250 4x4 w/47,000 miles, I put a dual steering stabilizer on (made by Rough Country) 2 days ago. Which seems to have done the trick. I changed out the shocks last fall for Bilsteins. Today I get a letter in the mail from Ford, the opening paragraph reads "It has come to our attention that some owners of F-Super Duty 250/350 4x4 vehicles have experienced severe steering wheel and front wheel vibrations and oscillations after traveling over a bump or dip in the road. Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have been studying this condition, sometimes known as shimmy." Then it goes on to describe the shake or shimmy in more detail and what to do if it happens (basically slow down gently and slow use of the brakes and it will stop). Then it goes on to say the that you should maintain proper air pressure. I run my front tires @ 55 psi and the rear @ 50 psi when empty, since I've owned the truck new. Then the letter shows a tire inflation sticker that is on the door post, mine says to run @ 75 psi front and rear. So in a nutshell it says the cause of shimmy is from improper air pressure, and/or installation of after market suspension components, or the wrong size of tires. I was under the impression that you only need to run max air pressure if you running your max weight. The letter then says that if your truck still shimmies after checking your air pressure, then see your Ford dealer. Just thought it ironic that this letter showed up when it did.
'06 Superduty
'06 Superduty
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my truck is only a year old and mine has gone into death wobble several times with the stock tires and wheels so bad I have to get out and check to see if the tie rods are still attached?I got the letter today as well, its funny since I have put the leveling kit on it has'nt done it at all?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2008
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I received my letter today. I have had the front end leveled and have put on larger tires. I also have had the front end shake while making a wide left hand turn on the highway and hitting the sections between the asphalt and the cement of the overpasses. Nice of Ford to tell us about "SHIMMY" . "This condition results from significant tire under-inflation." So is the question why do all of us run with significant tire under-inflation ?? :-)
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Mine has a slight shimmy when hitting bumps at highway speeds, not sure if this is the death wobble you are referring to. Mine is all stock with the 275/65-20's at 70 psi. Since I'm the second owner I probably won't get the nice letter but I wonder if Ford is warranting this issue?
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From: Wyandotte, Michigan
I have had it for a few months now and got my letter Monday. My trucks at the shop getting the new Rancho 9000's put on and when the dual stabilizer shows up that will go on too. I upped my tires to 285's like most of everyone here and run around 50# in them. I once put them up to 65# but the truck felt like it was riding on cinder blocks so I lowered it back down.
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From: Burnsville, MN
AmarilloF350 - Your post really made me laugh - "not sure if this is the death wobble" is great. I've been following the posts on "Death Wobble" for years, and the most common aspect people have posted after a wobble event, is an urgent need to change underwear!
I'm thinking when/if it happens to any of us, there'll be no doubt....
I'm thinking when/if it happens to any of us, there'll be no doubt....
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Michigan
Kool BareBones, happy to hear I made someone laugh today... 
Well, I obviously didn't experience the "death wobble" nor do I now wish to. My truck only has 14k miles but I looked under the front and there is a OEM single cylinder steering stabalizer but it's not near the size of the aftermarket ones I've seen.
Well, I obviously didn't experience the "death wobble" nor do I now wish to. My truck only has 14k miles but I looked under the front and there is a OEM single cylinder steering stabalizer but it's not near the size of the aftermarket ones I've seen.
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From: Eastern CT.
I got my letter a couple days ago,,read it,,,ahh what-ever,,,Run my tires maxed out 80 psi in the 18" Contis,,,,65 psi in my 17" Hankooks,,,I never had any problems with DeathWobble!
Allways have stuff in the bed,,,what I do notice is it seems to roll much easier with the 80 PSI Contis on,,Rather then the 65 PSI Hankooks, The Hankooks are my Winter tires,,are a MT tire,,and studded too!
Allways have stuff in the bed,,,what I do notice is it seems to roll much easier with the 80 PSI Contis on,,Rather then the 65 PSI Hankooks, The Hankooks are my Winter tires,,are a MT tire,,and studded too!