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knied1's avatar
knied1
Explorer
May 01, 2019

Front end wobble after hitting a bump

I have a 2005 Daymon Day break. the Chassis is a 2004 F53.
I have new sway bar bushing in the rear (front ones looked recently replaced) I did do the Cheep Handling Fix on the front end. all tires are in excellent condition, and have proper air pressure.

On two different times taking the RV out imedialty after hitting a bump on the passenger side front wheel I felt a very substantial wobble in both the front tires, and the steering wheel. when it happens, it almost feels like the camper is un controllable, I hit the brakes and after slowing down it goes away. the first time I thought I blew a front tire, but after checking there was no tire issues, and I proceeded on without any other issues. the second time it happened only about 5 minutes from the house, and I continued on without issues to our camp spot about an hour away.
I have already changed the sway bar bushing in the rear end, and even though the fronts look newer, I have ordered new fronts as well. when they come in I will replace them too.
I understand that the bushings are most likely not the issue, but changing them cant hurt.


I believe the issue is with the steering stabilizer/damper, but I`m looking to see if anyone else has had this issue, before I just start throwing parts at it.

the unit does also seem to have a fair amount of wander when I drive, but that also could be because I've only driven a Class A 4 times, and need to get used to it.


Thanks for any help.
  • DFord wrote:
    I'd check the play in the tie rod ends and every other joint and kingpins on the frontend. Once that shimmy starts it perpetuates itself. Slowing down is the only way I know of stopping it. It's sounds like there's something loose on your frontend. How many miles on that chassis?


    The Chassis has about 35,000 miles on it.
  • I'd check the play in the tie rod ends and every other joint and kingpins on the frontend. Once that shimmy starts it perpetuates itself. Slowing down is the only way I know of stopping it. It's sounds like there's something loose on your frontend. How many miles on that chassis?
  • Divergent front-end shimmy is a well known symptom which is not easy to explain.
    The first thing I will say about it is that whenever I had to diagnose this condition, I would FIRST make sure that the front axle always had sufficient weight loading on it such that it would result in producing a high level of caster authority. If your vehicle has too short of a wheelbase, coupled with a long rear overhang, it's very possible that under certain road and speed combinations you might experience divergent front-end shimmy.