blinocac200sx
SDD Junior Member
Took a 2003 diesel (7.3) rwd auto crewcab srw for a test drive today. When I got to about 85mph on the highway, I experienced what might be described as a wicked shimmy. Any ideas?
Question Front end shake
- Thread starter blinocac200sx
- Start date
DaveBen
SDD Senior Member
It is called the "Death Shake" and is usually caused by worn ball joints and tie rod ends. Alignment and tire balance have a lot to do with it. Since it is occurring at 85 mph I would rule out alignment and balance. Look carefully at all of your ball joints and tie rod ends. Anything sloppy will contribute to the wobble.
Dave
Dave
What Dave said and...... @ 85mph, any wheel balanceing, on tires with any miles/years on them probably became moot ?
Stock size tires ?
How many miles on that 03 ?
How many miles on the tires ?
Wear pattern good on the fronts ?
Tire pressures good ?
Lotsa variables here, on a 11 year old 250/350.
Joe
Stock size tires ?
How many miles on that 03 ?
How many miles on the tires ?
Wear pattern good on the fronts ?
Tire pressures good ?
Lotsa variables here, on a 11 year old 250/350.
Joe
blinocac200sx
SDD Junior Member
Well, to tell the truth, I suspected ball joints, but I not being a Super Duty expert, wanted to get some opinions. It has 124k miles, and the tires seemed to be in good condition. Think I'm gonna try to get it Monday.
ah... the dreaded "Death Wobble"
Ford pickups have been notorious for this since they've been capable of speeds in excess of 45 mph..
USUALLY, on a Superduty, the problem can be traced to either an
A: worn out track bar
B: weak steering damper
It IS a curable condition.
Ford pickups have been notorious for this since they've been capable of speeds in excess of 45 mph..
USUALLY, on a Superduty, the problem can be traced to either an
A: worn out track bar
B: weak steering damper
It IS a curable condition.
blinocac200sx
SDD Junior Member
Well, I bought the truck, put new tires on it, and the shake went away. Took it to Ft. Worth this weekend for a road trip with my family. The wife now insists on using it for all future road trips.
rlaspinall
Full Access Member
Ive been fighting this problem on my 2011, 6.7L SD. After a lot of talking Ford replaced my track bar ball joint, drag link ball joint, dampner shock @ 55,000 km, but it wasnt great and started even worse @ 130,000km. Took it to a driveline specialist and had to replace the ball joints again as well as the tie rod end, but also had a wheel alignment done and found the caster was out on the drivers side .6 of a degree. It is steering better now then the when it was new, so time will tell. It appeared to have been wrong since the factory.
