CuriousG Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 (edited) Just left a message with my service dept at the dealership that I got my truck. It was doing it from new, but last night it got down right VIOLENT. At around 50 mph or so you hit a bump in the road and it shakes and shimmeys until you hit the brakes and slow to 10 or 20 mph. It feels like the rfont end is going to shake right off the truck. Any recalls or others have same problem? I hope its a well known problem and fix already. I just turned 22K on the odometer. -G 2011 F350 Lariat Edited December 19, 2011 by CuriousG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 It's known as the "death wobble" by several who have experienced it. Search YouTube...there are several videos of it. Here is a thread and a video from a 2011 driver who put new shocks and a steering stabilizer on his to fix a similar (not as bad as yours) problem: Forum Link When the funds come available, I want to do something similar to my '08. It wobbles over bumps, not serious, but enough that I would like to get it fine-tuned a little better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuriousG Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 Just took a look at the 08 on this video and thats it exactly. Ive owned the original Super Duty in 98 (called a 99), sold and got a 03 and then an 08 and now the 2011. Never happened to me before. HOLY SMOKES !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuriousG Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share Posted December 17, 2011 Well the dealer replaced the steering dampener and it seems to be fine. I've got a couple places in mind to test drive over the weekend, but the feel thru the steering is much better and so far no shake or wobble. All good. -G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanginonWHSP Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Just took a look at the 08 on this video and thats it exactly. Ive owned the original Super Duty in 98 (called a 99), sold and got a 03 and then an 08 and now the 2011. Never happened to me before. HOLY SMOKES !! that is insane!!!!... thats the first time i ever saw a Ford do that!...heard of it in jeeps.....I love my superduty, but that right there would scare the shit outta me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zrullac Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Wow. That is disturbing. Hope they fixed that in the 2013 model year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Wow. That is disturbing. Hope they fixed that in the 2013 model year. There really isn't a fix for it, it is a characteristic of any SFA. All you can do is be sure all your front end parts are in perfect condition, alignment is correct, and don't go crazy with aftermarket wheels and tires. The last thing you want is wheels with more offset. The Jeep guys have had these problems for years and years. The real 'fix' is independent front suspension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowbirds11b Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 There was a time in the pass when americains cars had only steering box , that wobble was cause by an idler arm loose. It look like everybody in mechanic forget about that. For a pickup they ad a steering dampener to help the idler arm but the idler arm was always the primary causal part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 There is no idler arm on a superduty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Had the same problem on my Dads 1975 Chevrolet G-20 service vans....that front end would just wobble all the time when the stabilizer/shock damper wore out. Always replaced the idler arm at the same time....good as new. Nothing new here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettech Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Had the same issue with my '05 when I bought it and Ford fixed it. One small item that the owner can do that helps is to make sure the air pressure in the tires is correct. A low tire pressure will compound the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanggt24 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Had that happen on my 05 f-350 s.s , replaced tires that were worn and never happen again i have been told u can install a special shock to compensate problem but new tires solved my problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuriousG Posted May 3, 2013 Author Share Posted May 3, 2013 Just wanted to let everyone know how happy I have been with this 2011 F350. I am averaging over 17 mpg in hilly SW PA. Most driving is not highway. My new 2013 should be in in a couple weeks. Same truck with captains chairs and console this time. Very satisfied. -Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danglin Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 I have never experienced this issue my 2004 Superduty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim adams Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I have a 2011 f-350 king ranch with the death wobble. The truck has 50500 miles and the wobble was really, really bad today at about 55 miles per hour. The truck is under extended warranty and I have taken it to two different ford dealerships. They say there is no fix. Any suggestions. The truck has a second set of tires on it but new tires after 5000 miles don't help. Really pissed. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 You need a heavy duty steering stabilizer. That should take care of it. I'm considering putting one on mine, but just haven't yet. There is a certain road that I drive on occasion that causes it, otherwise I haven't had it happen anywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim adams Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I've been told by Imel motors in Fredericksburg, Tx that there are about 6 or 8 trucks that do this in This town and they haven't been able to fix any of them. Really lousy information if you have purchased one for the long haul. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim adams Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Replaced the steering stabilizer with a heavy duty upgrade with no improvement. Is there an off road stabilizer that might be better? Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim adams Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Curious G sounds like my and your truck were built at the same time. The first time I noticed the wobble was at 20,000 miles. Pretty small at that time but like yours it is down right violent now. Wander if this has caused any accidents as of yet. The whole truck shakes so bad it will almost take the wheel out of your hands. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Replaced the steering stabilizer with a heavy duty upgrade with no improvement. Is there an off road stabilizer that might be better? Tim Interesting...I've heard that fixes most of the death wobble issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Check everything for looseness. 90% of the time, if a new steering stabilizer shock doesn't do it, the ball joint on the end of the track bar is loose. Though looseness in the steering box, tie rod ends, knuckle ball joints or trailing arm bushings can all set it up. Caster and camber need to be set right as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim adams Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Got truck back from 2nd local dealer. They fixed the def level sensor but didn't seem interested in taking on the death wobble. After talking to two different ford dealerships and neither one wanting to put out much effort to fix the wobble I don't have much good to say for ford. After I wrote on this site I did get some feed back from ken stoeple ford about why I was taking truck to a different dealership. Extended warranty isn't worth the price. King Ranch F350 only has 55000 miles and shakes violently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim adams Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Can all of this start after 20000 miles or sooner ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 It can start brand new if parts aren't tight. Mileage has jack to do with it. It is an inherent issue in ALL solid axle front ends. And as for dealerships, techs are paid flat rate. So they want to fix your problem, or they wont get paid. Show the service writer or tech the issue and he can fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painted Horse Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I had this problem at 36,000 miles. Took it in just before my bumper to bumper warranty ran out. The dealership replaced the front steering stabilzer. Which fixed the problem. Now it has come back again at 100,000 miles. I installed a Bilstien steering stabilizer and reduced the shaking a lot. But I still get it occassionally, Especially at 50-60 mph on left hand radius turns where I hit a bump. I had asked the dealership to look at the front end when I had it in to flush and replace my coolant. They said everything was fine. I'm going to swap out tires, my current tires are almost worn out, if that doesn't fix the problem, then its time to start replacing parts on the track bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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