Death Wobble still present after new shocks & steering stabilizer
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Houston
Death Wobble still present after new shocks & steering stabilizer
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Recently replaced the steering stabilizer with Rancho RS5415 and all 4 shocks with the adjustable Rancho 9000XL. The death wobble at 40-60 mph on rough roads has not gone away. The truck rides much better, however the death wobble is violent enough to shake the change out of the change holder and the only way to stop it is to pull over and slow to 10-15 mph. The steering wheel also has slight vibration when going over smaller bumps such as expansion joints. Any ideas / suggestions would be appreciated.
2011 KR 6.7L 4x4
47k miles (no ESP)
20" wheels with stock size tires
100% stock no lift or modifications
Never wrecked & most driving is on the highway.
The tires show no signs of abnormal wear and the truck drives straight.
Recently replaced the steering stabilizer with Rancho RS5415 and all 4 shocks with the adjustable Rancho 9000XL. The death wobble at 40-60 mph on rough roads has not gone away. The truck rides much better, however the death wobble is violent enough to shake the change out of the change holder and the only way to stop it is to pull over and slow to 10-15 mph. The steering wheel also has slight vibration when going over smaller bumps such as expansion joints. Any ideas / suggestions would be appreciated.
2011 KR 6.7L 4x4
47k miles (no ESP)
20" wheels with stock size tires
100% stock no lift or modifications
Never wrecked & most driving is on the highway.
The tires show no signs of abnormal wear and the truck drives straight.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 4
From: Edmond, OK
My 08 4x4 dually developed a shimmy or vibration when getting off the interstate at a particularly rough exit; only slowing would stop it once started. It did not have this problem till after 36K miles.
Dealership checked everything out; nothing found, all okay. I paid for alignment too; and they adjusted nothing (all within spec
)
Took it to independent alignment shop; he said right front lower (IIRC) ball joint was bad. I had him replace it and the problem went away. Just a little over 36K on that truck. Oh, he actually aligned the truck too which corrected a slight pull the truck had since new; plus a right front tire wear problem (also from the beginning). This guy did not sell tires, etc. he did alignments and frame straightening. He closed up shop a couple of months after fixing my truck.
I found the guy based on recommendations from friend with connections to independant auto shops.
Don't know what your problem is; but, if it wasn't there when new it would seem something is worn.
Good luck to you,
Bob
Dealership checked everything out; nothing found, all okay. I paid for alignment too; and they adjusted nothing (all within spec
)Took it to independent alignment shop; he said right front lower (IIRC) ball joint was bad. I had him replace it and the problem went away. Just a little over 36K on that truck. Oh, he actually aligned the truck too which corrected a slight pull the truck had since new; plus a right front tire wear problem (also from the beginning). This guy did not sell tires, etc. he did alignments and frame straightening. He closed up shop a couple of months after fixing my truck.
I found the guy based on recommendations from friend with connections to independant auto shops.
Don't know what your problem is; but, if it wasn't there when new it would seem something is worn.
Good luck to you,
Bob
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 65
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From: Rochester
^jpollesec,
I have the EXACT problem!!! Replaced all 4 shocks with Bilstien 5100's and a new Bilstien stabilizer. After the install I noticed a better and more controlled ride, but still had the awful shimmy/vibrating/wobbling steering and giggly ride. It is driving me insane. Every time I get in my truck I say "man this is a nice truck", but once I start moving I cannot wait to get out....seriously.
Been to Ford 3 times to resolve the issue, but of course, "all is good". Now I'm afraid if I take itt back in again they will refuse to work on or look at the suspension since it has aftermarket shocks installed.
I have the EXACT problem!!! Replaced all 4 shocks with Bilstien 5100's and a new Bilstien stabilizer. After the install I noticed a better and more controlled ride, but still had the awful shimmy/vibrating/wobbling steering and giggly ride. It is driving me insane. Every time I get in my truck I say "man this is a nice truck", but once I start moving I cannot wait to get out....seriously.
Been to Ford 3 times to resolve the issue, but of course, "all is good". Now I'm afraid if I take itt back in again they will refuse to work on or look at the suspension since it has aftermarket shocks installed.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Houston
Audimotion-
Same here- putting the new shocks and stabilizer on made the death wobble much worse. As soon as I get it back in for an alignment / front end check I will report back.
Same here- putting the new shocks and stabilizer on made the death wobble much worse. As soon as I get it back in for an alignment / front end check I will report back.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
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From: at the truck pulls
Similar to some above, I have 5100 bilsteins but the factory stabilizing replaced at dealer. Helped a lot, but when I got rid of the Michelin's it went away completely and now I have about 42,000 I took it for alignment, it was dead on to which I was surprised.
I get the road force testing done as well.
I get the road force testing done as well.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 65
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From: Rochester
My issue is the worst when steering to the left and going over road imperfections at speeds above 50mph. It will vibrate and wobble real bad through the steering wheel and shake the entire truck. But if I am in a turn to the right, the wobble does not happen (or nearly as much). I think it has something to do with a left (drivers side) side ball joint or tie rod, but the dealer said they are 100%.
FORDTUF1- I am also running the OEM michelin tires (18"). Too bad they dont need replacing yet, as this could cause some of the wobble as well....
FORDTUF1- I am also running the OEM michelin tires (18"). Too bad they dont need replacing yet, as this could cause some of the wobble as well....
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Youngsville, LA
I recently saw this product came to market. Ford Super Duty anti wobble trac bar
I haven't heard of anyone that's used it yet, but if I had deathwobble I would be willing to try anything. You could probably call them and confirm that if it doesn't resolve the DW issue, that you could return for a full refund.
I haven't heard of anyone that's used it yet, but if I had deathwobble I would be willing to try anything. You could probably call them and confirm that if it doesn't resolve the DW issue, that you could return for a full refund.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Houston
Still no resolution on the death wobble / vibration in the front end. Same issue above 50 mph slightly turning to the left over bumps and the front end shakes / wobbles. Spent the week at the dealer and in independent shop, in addition to the shocks & stabilizer just had the truck aligned, new tires, had the suspension looked at (track bar bushing, ball joints, tie rod ends etc..) after going to two independent shops, Took the truck back to the dealer and they recommended changing the stock michelin tires (went with BF Goodrich / laser balanced). The tech rode in the truck with me and the truck still wobbled. Put the truck back on the alignment rack and added some caster and a shim on the left side. No improvement.
Any thoughts? Wondering if replacing the track bar or steering rack would help.
Any thoughts? Wondering if replacing the track bar or steering rack would help.