Superduty Death Wobble

I experienced “Death Wobble” at 85K miles due to worn parts. No more problems for 40K miles. I’ll have it back in the shop soon for another checkup. Following a Ford forum, it seems to me that early “Death Wobble” problems at low miles are typically fixed under warranty with no following problems (until you wear things out again.) The folks who have no problems don’t post. Note: a Rancho steering stabilizer that I installed at 65K miles was all but worn out at 85K miles. The replacement Ford OEM stabilizer that went on then, was much stiffer.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
OLD NEWS !

This problem is COMMON to all 4WD, solid front axle vehicles. Jeeps have had it for over 30 years. Best solution is all new front suspension parts AND a steering dampener.

True. Typically due to worn parts. But there are numerous cases of new vehicles doing this. It is a small percentage and all I can think of is stacked tolerances. Right now the Gladiators and Fords superduty trucks are the ones I am seeing with issues off the lot.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
OLD NEWS !

This problem is COMMON to all 4WD, solid front axle vehicles. Jeeps have had it for over 30 years. Best solution is all new front suspension parts AND a steering dampener.

People often forget that these are wear items as well. Most all F250/350 SRW trucks front steering/suspension components all do NOT come with OEM greaseable joints, they are all "lubed for life" which may not be long at all. Also the more you abuse these components on either bad roads or banging up and down curbs and such the less they will last as well especially if you've got a heavy diesel engine up front.

I have had:
1974 K10 SB step side 4x4
1947 flap fender Jeep with 283 V8
1976 K20 LB 4x4
1993 W250 STD cab LB 4x4
2001.5 RAM 2500 STD cab LB 4x4
And now 2015 RAM 3500 CC SB 4x4

Luckily none of these 4x4 have had DW. Chris

OLD NEWS !

This problem is COMMON to all 4WD, solid front axle vehicles. Jeeps have had it for over 30 years. Best solution is all new front suspension parts AND a steering dampener.

shum02 wrote:
This is a proble with all solid front axle trucks.

Sorry but Ford and Dodge put about the cheapest parts they can into the front end of these trucks including tires.

Powerstroke.com has a vid on it and really myself and a lot of owners all the way back to 1999 just replace the entire front end with quality aftermarket parts from tie rods to shocks, steering stabilizers and upgraded tires to name but a few. The junk Ford puts on wears out before you know it. Itès not a p^roblem with the truck, it is a problem with the junk parts Ford puts in them when new or doing service.

GM trucks do it too, as do Toyota trucks. A quick Google search yields endless reading. They can do it when everything is tight, even when brand new. I even had a new Toyota 2WD truck do it so it's not even limited to live axle systems.

The real problem is no one knows what the real problem is. Many different parts or tires can cause or cure it on their own. It's not isolated to any one part.

If manufacturers are going to continue to make solid axle trucks, which of course they should, the balljoints need to go away. Kingpin trucks do it, too, but it's much easier to freshen everything up. It took me forever to replace my balljoints and I hope I never have to do that job again.

This is a problem with all solid front axle trucks.

Sorry but Ford and Dodge put about the cheapest parts they can into the front end of these trucks including tires.

Powerstrokehelp.com has a vid on it and really myself and a lot of owners all the way back to 1999 just replace the entire front end with quality aftermarket parts from tie rods to shocks, steering stabilizers and upgraded tires to name but a few. The junk Ford puts on wears out before you know it. It's not a problem with the truck, it is a problem with the junk parts Ford puts in them when new or doing service.

jbc28 wrote:
A friend of mine had a low mileage 2017 350 srw, short box that the dealer couldn't stop from wobbling. It would happen when towing. He finally had enough and traded for a new F450.

That’s one way to fix it...lol

Would have to agree with those that said this shouldn't occur with a late model trucks regardless of brand.