Death Wobble!!!!

Stephen Swap · Nov 19, 2018

I've read about people experiencing a death wobble on trucks that have accumulated some mileage but not on practically new completely stock units. In October while on vacation the steering wheel was practically ripped out of my hands when my 2017 F-250 4x4 Super Duty went into a front end oscillation. 14,000 total miles on the rig. I took it to a Toledo dealer who told me that it sounded like a death wobble to him. I'd never heard of this term but I'm now pretty well educated on it. The tech assigned to my truck experienced the exact same issue that I described so they knew that I wasn't being picky. They replaced the drag arm and tube. 10 miles from the dealership it went back into the same wobble. Back to the dealer. After they called Ford some new updated front end parts were on the way. New drag link and a heavier duty steering dampener have been installed and the problem seems to be gone for now. No issues on the 2,200 mile drive back to Arizona. My concern is that this problem may rear it's ugly shaky head in another 14,000 miles. Any similar experiences?

01yellerCobra · Nov 19, 2018

I think someone else had a similar issue not too long ago. I wonder if theres something going on with the newer trucks?

Shaggy · Nov 25, 2018

Stephen Swap said:
I've read about people experiencing a death wobble on trucks that have accumulated some mileage but not on practically new completely stock units. In October while on vacation the steering wheel was practically ripped out of my hands when my 2017 F-250 4x4 Super Duty went into a front end oscillation. 14,000 total miles on the rig. I took it to a Toledo dealer who told me that it sounded like a death wobble to him. I'd never heard of this term but I'm now pretty well educated on it. The tech assigned to my truck experienced the exact same issue that I described so they knew that I wasn't being picky. They replaced the drag arm and tube. 10 miles from the dealership it went back into the same wobble. Back to the dealer. After they called Ford some new updated front end parts were on the way. New drag link and a heavier duty steering dampener have been installed and the problem seems to be gone for now. No issues on the 2,200 mile drive back to Arizona. My concern is that this problem may rear it's ugly shaky head in another 14,000 miles. Any similar experiences?

Curious if it has started up again?

Rays98GoVols · Nov 26, 2018

I have a 2008 F350 King Ranch with the 6.4 Turbo Diesel with 171,000 miles. All parts are still stock. I experienced the "Death Wobble" at around 65-75 after hitting an expansion joint and the suspension unloads. After some research it can be caused by Worn Ball Joints, Shocks, Steering Dampener, MAYBE front end parts.
Here's what I was able to figure out for "ME":
Replaced the Shocks with Bilsteins. Still happened.
Replaced the Steering Dampener. Hasn't happened again.
Ball Joints still need replacing...Got too cold here to do that, will do in Spring.

i-Henry · Nov 26, 2018

There was a recall on this, have you checked with Ford? I received a notice, but I have never had a problem. Just wondering, are you running stock or aftermarket rims?

Shaggy · Nov 27, 2018

Rays98GoVols said:
I have a 2008 F350 King Ranch with the 6.4 Turbo Diesel with 171,000 miles. All parts are still stock. I experienced the "Death Wobble" at around 65-75 after hitting an expansion joint and the suspension unloads. After some research it can be caused by Worn Ball Joints, Shocks, Steering Dampener, MAYBE front end parts.
Here's what I was able to figure out for "ME":
Replaced the Shocks with Bilsteins. Still happened.
Replaced the Steering Dampener. Hasn't happened again.
Ball Joints still need replacing...Got too cold here to do that, will do in Spring.

So sounds like it was the starting damper.

shooterchief · Nov 28, 2018

i-Henry said:
There was a recall on this, have you checked with Ford? I received a notice, but I have never had a problem. Just wondering, are you running stock or aftermarket rims?

Could you post info on this recall?
I have a 2017 F250 FX4, Ultimate Lariat with less than 20K miles. This has happened a number of times to me, as well.

dpetrlak · Dec 3, 2018

I had a 78 F150 4x4 that maybe did the same thing. But usually only at 35-40 mph. I'd hit a pothole and the front end would start jumping up and down, while it felt like the Steering wheel was being ripped from my hands.

1st fix was a new track bar. Then they started making urethane C-bushings. Then the rear bushings for the radius arms. Oh and get rid of bias ply tires.

Apparently the tred was flexing and when it hit a hole the tread would flex up and start the whole shake. Later, they started making bushings for the track bar.

After I had urethane bushings at all three spots, and radial Mud Terrains the problem went away. Oh yea, I ended up replacing the shaft and most of the steering linkage along the way.

Note: I dont have that issue on my '02 F250. Front springs are leafs, not coils.

i-Henry · Dec 3, 2018

You can just call Ford or visit the service center with and they can check your VIN to see if your vehicle is effected.

Stephen Swap · Dec 3, 2018

I started this thread after experiencing repeated severe instances of "Death Wobble" while visiting family in Michigan. I did check to see if there were any active recalls issued on my 2017 F-250. None. After the work on my front end was completed I haven't had any repeats. I'm now home in Arizona and have reported my issue to my purchasing dealer. It is a known problem among dealers but the factory seems to just want to ignore it. I'm now waiting for the factory to reimburse me for my rental car expenses. Love my truck but......

Death Wobble!!!!

Stephen Swap

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