F53 death wobble?
Hey all: I've heard about this 'death wobble' and I hear that it can be remedied with some sort of bar in the front? Can you tell me in the pic just by looking at it if the front end I have is s...
Forum Discussion
wolfe10 wrote:
Some correct and some "does not apply" answers.
"Death Wobble" on an Ford F53 chassis was caused by side to side harmonic motion between the chassis and axle as those LONG leaf springs and shackles flexed side to side.
On later model chassis, Ford installed a track bar (aka panhard rod). Aftermarket track bars are also available for older chassis-- the Davis Tru-trac is an example. It attaches to the chassis on one side of the front and to the front axle on the other side. It allows full vertical movement, but significantly reduces side to side movement between axle and chassis.
Death wobble most often occurred with crossing things like RR tracks at a diagonal to the direction of travel. This induced flexing of the springs which could continue to get progressively worse as the springs flexed left/right/left.... The cure (other than adding a track bar which is the correct answer) is to slow down until you are back under control. THEN buy a track bar.
I suggest your assessment is incorrect. If you assessment of the problem is correct, how come the newer V10 F53 chassis don't exhibit the "Death Wobble", when it has the same long leaf mono spring and shackles. Workhorse "W" chassis also has long leaf mono springs with out "Death Wobble". "Death Wobble" is initiated by the tires whipping from side to side dynamically and not the axle moving harmonically in the frame. "Death Wobble" has been experienced on vehicles with unequal "A" arms and coil springs. From my early years of working in an alignment shop, I can assure you those long leaf springs are not the primary cause of "Death Wobble".
Richard
