Ford Super Duty Death Wobble

Mx286
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Mx286
Have a 12’ F350 single wheel with 131,000 miles and it has the death wobble. It’s only shook violently once, but I can feel the front end wanting to start to dance around when hitting any bumps or holes over 50mph. Just put a adjustable track bar on and it doesn’t seem like it’s helping.

After research it seems fairly common among the super duty trucks. Anyone else have or know someone that this has happened to and what the fix was?
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reded
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reded 12/6/2020 12:11pm
12/6/2020 12:11pm
I’ve got an ‘01 at work with 130k on it and it drives like a shopping cart at anything over 55mph. Feels like the front wheels are each doing their own thing. I’ve had the front end checked out and aligned to no avail. It’s just a scary mfer to drive.
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XXVoid MainXX
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XXVoid MainXX 12/6/2020 3:37pm
12/6/2020 3:37pm
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the tires?
colintrax
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colintrax 12/6/2020 4:12pm
12/6/2020 4:12pm
Common for anything with a solid front axle. Check all moving parts including the steering box. Shocks, and tires are worth checking as well.
OG725
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OG725 12/6/2020 4:17pm
12/6/2020 4:17pm
XXVoid MainXX wrote:
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the...
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the tires?
Most likely culprit. Sand, mud, etc; inside the wheel will do it also.
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5.9_bro
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5.9_bro 12/6/2020 4:41pm
12/6/2020 4:41pm
Most times I’ve seen this it’s tires,
Before you throw parts at it get them balanced, check your ball joints and steering box
XXVoid MainXX
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XXVoid MainXX 12/6/2020 5:02pm
12/6/2020 5:02pm
I've had out of round tires on cars before that felt like the car was going to shake apart.
Mx286
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Mx286 12/6/2020 5:06pm
12/6/2020 5:06pm Edited Date/Time 12/6/2020 5:08pm
XXVoid MainXX wrote:
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the...
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the tires?
I recently bought the truck and don’t know how many miles are on them but the date made says 32nd week of 2018. They seem like their in good shape. Tires are Cooper Discoverer.

Steering feels a little loose but it drives in a straight smooth line on the bypass around town at high speeds. On the county roads when it gets a little rough is where I’m having the issues.
reded
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reded 12/6/2020 5:11pm
12/6/2020 5:11pm
XXVoid MainXX wrote:
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the...
If all the components are in good shape and the geometry is good, could it be a case of tires wearing funny? How old are the tires?
Mx286 wrote:
I recently bought the truck and don’t know how many miles are on them but the date made says 32nd week of 2018. They seem like...
I recently bought the truck and don’t know how many miles are on them but the date made says 32nd week of 2018. They seem like their in good shape. Tires are Cooper Discoverer.

Steering feels a little loose but it drives in a straight smooth line on the bypass around town at high speeds. On the county roads when it gets a little rough is where I’m having the issues.
EXACT tires that I have. 🤔
Mx286
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Mx286 12/6/2020 5:41pm
12/6/2020 5:41pm
reded wrote:
EXACT tires that I have. 🤔
Mine are the Discoverer ATP. I’ve searched a lot and most all the reviews came back good. Who knows but that is ironic.
RonSkj
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RonSkj 12/6/2020 5:43pm
12/6/2020 5:43pm
I have the same truck and the same problem. I've put new tire on and replaced the steering stabilizer and shocks. It helped for a short time and now it's starting again.
reded
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reded 12/6/2020 6:02pm
12/6/2020 6:02pm
reded wrote:
EXACT tires that I have. 🤔
Mx286 wrote:
Mine are the Discoverer ATP. I’ve searched a lot and most all the reviews came back good. Who knows but that is ironic.
The tires were brand new when I bought the pickup so I took them out of the equation and focused on front end components. We threw a few new parts at it and had it aligned but nothing changed. It’s a nerve wracking handful to drive.
Mx286
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Mx286 12/6/2020 6:25pm
12/6/2020 6:25pm
XXVoid MainXX wrote:
I assume you've seen this:

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/what-you-should-know-about-the-ford-super-…
Yea I’ve seen that. It seems to be a hit or miss type of thing. I’m pretty familiar with these trucks from friends and my parents had a 11’ F250 and 14’ F350. Was going to buy new or a few years old but decided half the payment would be more economical.
Mx286
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Mx286 12/6/2020 6:37pm
12/6/2020 6:37pm
RonSkj wrote:
I have the same truck and the same problem. I've put new tire on and replaced the steering stabilizer and shocks. It helped for a short...
I have the same truck and the same problem. I've put new tire on and replaced the steering stabilizer and shocks. It helped for a short time and now it's starting again.
All the research I’ve done the adjustable track bar is the most common fix that’s worked for most. It helped mine but it’s still not right. Changing the castor is another fix that others recommended. The next thing I’m going to do is the dual steering stabilizer.

Everything under the front end seems to be in good shape. The truck will be going to the tire shop in a couple days and I’ll see what they say.
reded
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reded 12/6/2020 9:08pm
12/6/2020 9:08pm
XXVoid MainXX wrote:
Holy shit!
Holy shit!

Like I said, turns into a shopping cart. I wish there was an easy fix because ours is a nice truck but I’m scared to drive it anywhere but in town.
RonSkj
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RonSkj 12/6/2020 9:09pm
12/6/2020 9:09pm
RonSkj wrote:
I have the same truck and the same problem. I've put new tire on and replaced the steering stabilizer and shocks. It helped for a short...
I have the same truck and the same problem. I've put new tire on and replaced the steering stabilizer and shocks. It helped for a short time and now it's starting again.
Mx286 wrote:
All the research I’ve done the adjustable track bar is the most common fix that’s worked for most. It helped mine but it’s still not right...
All the research I’ve done the adjustable track bar is the most common fix that’s worked for most. It helped mine but it’s still not right. Changing the castor is another fix that others recommended. The next thing I’m going to do is the dual steering stabilizer.

Everything under the front end seems to be in good shape. The truck will be going to the tire shop in a couple days and I’ll see what they say.
Did you change out the track bar or just the bushing?
Dirtydeeds 12/7/2020 4:25am
12/7/2020 4:25am
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear box with a redneck ram hydro assist. Never had the problem again.

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timobijnen84 12/7/2020 4:42am
12/7/2020 4:42am
Oh man at 55-60 mph that is not fun.

I live in europe so you never see f250's. But i would not like that at 100 mph.
Mx286
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Mx286 12/7/2020 4:58am
12/7/2020 4:58am
RonSkj wrote:
Did you change out the track bar or just the bushing?
I put the track bar and a 2in leveling kit on it. Most of the adjustable ones only work with at least a 1.5in lift.
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Johnny Lock 12/7/2020 7:37am
12/7/2020 7:37am
Dirtydeeds wrote:
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear...
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear box with a redneck ram hydro assist. Never had the problem again.
Moog FTW. The OPs truck has 131k - its time to rebuild the front end and get new tires just for peace of mind. And get some Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
XXVoid MainXX
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XXVoid MainXX 12/7/2020 8:28am
12/7/2020 8:28am
Note to self: Do not buy an F250 or F350 (currently have an F150)
5.9_bro
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5.9_bro 12/7/2020 9:54am
12/7/2020 9:54am
Dirtydeeds wrote:
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear...
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear box with a redneck ram hydro assist. Never had the problem again.
Johnny Lock wrote:
Moog FTW. The OPs truck has 131k - its time to rebuild the front end and get new tires just for peace of mind. And get...
Moog FTW. The OPs truck has 131k - its time to rebuild the front end and get new tires just for peace of mind. And get some Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
Moog is just cheep Chinese junk now, their parts have gone down hill.
I hate my ridgegrapps, over hyped street tires
1
Average Vitard 12/7/2020 10:16am
12/7/2020 10:16am
Dirtydeeds wrote:
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear...
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear box with a redneck ram hydro assist. Never had the problem again.
This is what you need to do. You obviously have worn parts in the front end. I had mine rebuilt 12 times under warranty. They don't last very long under certain conditions. Ive had parts wear out in 3k miles.
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FlickitFlat 12/7/2020 10:31am
12/7/2020 10:31am
I didn't know that Fords had the death wobble. I have experienced it a couple of times in other vehicles. Several times in the death trap CJ Jeep my Sister has. The Jeep was very similar to the video. You had to slow down to almost a stop to get it to quit and it would do it as slow as 25 to 35 mph at times. The worst for me was in a 1 ton Dodge. Very nice, very new truck. I live in WV so we have hills and turns everywhere. I was driving down the 4 lane at about 80 mph down hill into a right hand turn that had a bridge at the bottom... a curved bridge. So I hit the bump entering the bridge while turning and this thing went nuts. It took me 2 lanes to keep it on the bridge and road. I was lucky there wasn't anything near me when it happened.
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Dimblewambie
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Dimblewambie 12/7/2020 11:00am
12/7/2020 11:00am
Fire up the truck and have someone steer back and forth about 2-3hrs each direction. Feel each tie rod end, bushing end of the track bar as well as the ball joint end down at the axle. If anything feels or looks notchy, loose, or any play then replace it. You mentioned you did the leveling kit and track bar, has the truck been realigned since? Caster will need to be corrected if not and likely part of the problem.
Johnny Lock 12/7/2020 11:17am
12/7/2020 11:17am
Dirtydeeds wrote:
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear...
Dealt with this back in 2011. If I remember right I pretty much rebuilt the whole front end with moog parts. Eventually replaced the steering gear box with a redneck ram hydro assist. Never had the problem again.
Johnny Lock wrote:
Moog FTW. The OPs truck has 131k - its time to rebuild the front end and get new tires just for peace of mind. And get...
Moog FTW. The OPs truck has 131k - its time to rebuild the front end and get new tires just for peace of mind. And get some Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
5.9_bro wrote:
Moog is just cheep Chinese junk now, their parts have gone down hill.
I hate my ridgegrapps, over hyped street tires
Most people I know with them on F250s (I know four at work) just run the streets with them. They’re quiet and provide a good ride. Discoverer ATPs like the OP has aren’t mud tires. The ATPs will last longer though.

And Moog still has a lifetime warranty even if made by the Chinese. OP can get some dynatrac stuff if he’s willing to pony up that kind of cash.
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Yeti831
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Yeti831 12/7/2020 3:45pm
12/7/2020 3:45pm
Two questions:

1) are your ball joints and hub bearings good?

2) have you looked into running dual stabilizers?
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XXVoid MainXX
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XXVoid MainXX 12/7/2020 3:54pm
12/7/2020 3:54pm
I thought it was the Dodge trucks that had all the problems with the ball joints flying out of them?
Average Vitard 12/7/2020 3:56pm
12/7/2020 3:56pm
Yeti831 wrote:
Two questions:

1) are your ball joints and hub bearings good?

2) have you looked into running dual stabilizers?
Good dual stabilizers with a tight front end and you can hit craters on the road and not even need a hand on the wheel.
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