On a trip to TX for Thanksgiving 2023, we hit a bad patch of rough road between MS & LA, causing the truck to shake uncontrollably almost created a bad accident. We finally made it to our TX destination and took the truck to the ford dealer in Synder Tx for diagnostics. We were told that the steering damper was on the recall list and we could make it back to FL at a much slower speed. On our way home the A/C stopped working, Navigation went haywire, passenger back window would roll down but not back up and who knows what else may be wrong. My question is, could it be that the steering damper going out caused these issues as the truck is a 2019 with only 48k miles. I took the truck back to where I bought it and I was told that my extended warranty doesn't cover the repairs so I filed with my insurance and was told that this is a mechanical issue so they won't pay and the repairs are $6,000, any help or advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

First of all, the uncontrollable shaking is called "death wobble" in general conversation and I don’t care what anybody says, the steering stabilizer is not the cure. Jeeps have had this issue for decades. I’ve personally fought it myself on an older Grand Cherokee so I know all about it. Most of the time when a straight axle front end goes into death wobble it’s because of worn parts such as control arm bushings but poor castor angle can cause it also. So even if they replace your stabilizer with a brand new one I would not count on that curing the issue. Steering stabilizers smooth out the steering. They have no ability to fix suspension issues though. Most dealers immediately blame suspension problems on the stabilizer because it's easy. If your truck is leveled or lifted I'd have the castor fixed to spec. If it's stock I'd suggest checking all the suspension bushings and joints for play or wear.

As far as all the electrical gremlins go, that’s obviously tied to a wiring issue somewhere on the truck. Fuse popped or came loose, wire harness got water in it, something. It’s too coincidental for all of those things to die at once. The fix is likely a very simple fix. The hard part will simply be tracing it to the source. I would begin with the fuse box under the hood. No way in hell I’d pay $6k to have a fuse popped back into place or whatever it ends up being.

 

Did they share with you how they came up with a $6k repair?

 

its always good to get a written estimate that includes the parts and labor


in the case of electrical issues, while it is true that replacement of parts will fix the problem...I have found that simply disconnecting, cleaning, and reconnecting connectors (with battery disconnected) will often fix electrical issues....so yes...the dealership replacing parts will also fix it..becuase of the removal and disconnection and install of clean parts.

the list of parts on the estimate is helpful...you can go to a ford parts wensite and put in the part numbers...get the location...examine...clean as neccesary.

 

This for sure. I ended up getting rid of a TJ Wrangler because even the local experts couldn't solve the death wobble and kept wanting to throw parts at it. Good luck with the resolution!

 

I have paid out to have most of my front end parts replaced twice since I bought my truck in May of 2011. costly for sure but cheaper than a new truck with a monthly payment! I have no lift, OEM tires and wheels, and a full bumper replacement (Ranch Hand) bud do have the large springs to handle the extra weight. the interesting thins is i never had an issue with the "Death Wobble" for the first 8 years. That's when i first experienced it and had front end parts replaced. Then had to do the same thing two years later. My mechanic uses OEM parts excusively. I do hear there are some better after market parts out there that are better than the OEM.
So, I'd say you have some worn parts up front. I will say I replaced my front steering stabilizer with Bilstien. Much better than the crappy OEM Rancho 5000!!

As for you electrical issues, have you put a reader on your truck to see if you get any codes?

Good luck.
2011 Ford F250, 6.7, Lariat

 

As for the death wobble, here's a post I did in the past but the credit goes to @Evan_P ...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21002136