FORD F-250 Death Wobble Fix!!

My mechanical engineering buddy from work, had a FORD F-250 with started have a problem known in the truck community as the Death Wobble! He actually figured out the cause of this issues, and was able to fix it, by changing the damping on the front axle of the truck! In this video I talk about the reason why the Death Wobble occurs and how to fix it!

[BigRed-]

Dr. Jaynes, great video, good information, but not sue exactly when you posted this video on the Ford F-250 "Death Wobble", so would you by chance have any updates from your friend? Does he still own the truck? When I first started experiencing the Death Wobble in my 2012 F-250SD 4x4, crew cab diesel, it had 72, 000 (2018). And while under warranty, Ford replaced the entire front end including replacing the draglink, swearing up and down that this would fix the problem. NOT! However, I was in need of a new set of tires, and after replacing all four with factory spec tires from Les Schwab in Northern California, the problem vanished in an instant, but it's and now at 168, 000 miles, and the tires down to a little less than 5/32', it has started again. So cviolent, it

[reallynotbob]

It's a combination of issues. Because it's a solid axle sprung on coil springs, which don't naturally center it like the leaf springs did before 2005, they use a track bar. Which essentially pivots the axle to the chassis, thus keeping it in line with the rest of the vehicle. Other brands started using better spherical joints on each end of the track bar, after they each had their own issues with death wobble. Chevy switched to independent suspension. Ford still uses a ball joint on the chassis end of the track bar. Where the dampening issue comes into play is if any other part in the system develops play, the forces can cause that ball joint to loosen up, which causes the axle itself to be able to oscillate back and forth. The way Ford set the caster angle (the head angle in which the steering system pivots the front tires) also plays a role in it too by making those oscillations much more violent, therefore wearing parts faster. Powerstrokehelp did an awesome video on it and explains each of the solutions individually.

[glhc]

As some have mentioned any solid front axle vehicle can get death wobble. I have a 17 F350 and starting at 14000 miles I started getting some vibrations but not full on death wobble. Dealer replaced weak stock dampener and other parts which helped for 5-6000 miles. The issue came back and again they replaced more parts. I have had the truck worked on 3 different times for same issue. I finally have taken matters into my own hands even though truck is still under warranty. I leveled the truck, changed caster shims, new front shocks, and the PMF dual stabilizer. Big improvement over stock. As OP mentioned one part wears and sets off a chain reaction. Dealership was only replacing parts and pieces not everything at once. New tight parts mixed with older ones that have some looseness isn’t a good combination. The dual stabilizer will help dampen and add life to all the steering components. The single stock stabilizer isn’t near enough and in my opinion is positioned incorrectly. All the road imperfections and weight of the tires etc is transmitted through all those steering components before it ever reaches that dampener.

[BigRed-]

Part 2 from et3303. It shakes so violently that it scars my wife half to death! So was hoping to hear or find out if your engineer friends double damper mod did the trick, or if I should continue looking for another solution? Thank you

[jamesstoumbaugh]

It's Caster Bushings that's the main culprit.

[gaelewis]

I'm having death wobble on my 07 f3500 4x4 do I need to take to ford dealership?

[bluegreentoad]

I replaced the tie rods, track bar, shocks, links and even the hubs to no avail. I’ve seen other 250’ on the road with the dual stabilizers, so maybe it’s worth a try. But I can’t find anything specifically for no lift all I find is for 4” to 6” lift. Maybe post the part number in the future.

[knottide]

Well, after hearing this problem is so common, even in 2019s, I cancelled the order on my new F450 King Ranch. I've been fighting the issue for almost a year now on my 2014 F250 and thought a new truck would take care of it. NOPE!

[josepina]

In conclusion what parts do you think I should replace on my 2015 f250 4x4

[mastercreamer]

I’m really confused as to why you would make a video about trucks when you clearly have no idea about the difference between trucks

[josepina]

in my 2015 f250 I have death wobble .... what do you recommend I replace?

[ellkir]

I installed the Rancho and it just did it at 70 on the freeway again. I'm going to replace every thing in the front. It is scary. PowerStroke has a video on changing the caster (not normally adjustable on a ford) to push the wheels forward to avoid the shopping cart effect.

[johnnybabee]

The trackbar is inferior. There are multiple reasons why Fords suffer from this. There is no 1 single fix all. Ford needs to beef up every front end component. Erector set under front end is fickle and under sized.

[jacobhughes]

BS.. I have a 97’ with the steering stabilizer shock and I have the death wobble.

[slydawwg]

First of all, no one has died, death wobble sounds great for a B movie, however you sound more the fool than a suppler of accurate information. There is not a problem. It's just a story passed around by guys who screwed up their front end somehow.
No fix needed, however, if your the Grandmother type (sorry Granny ;) call your dealership & have them explain. So many puppets.

[batfly]

This is the Fix in Fix Or Repair Daily

[slydawwg]

I'm sorry for throwing in too many comments, however, you mention "death wobble" in almost every second grouping of words to the point of sounding ridiculous. (there have been no deaths) & it's turned into " could never afford" Spam by these people, or "mores hits on Your Site". Actually Ram supposedly has this death wobble, Jeep etc. It's all a bit of a joke, anyway, I tire (no pun) of it all . Just accuracy, & never ever feed the mob. Oh boy, I'm outta here, Cheers

[medic]

LOL, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Word Salad. LOL. Dr of what?

[kurtrobinson]

Had a F250 with death wobble. Problem resolved when I changed some components to Chevrolet components. A lot of components. Ok, I bought a Chevy. PROBLEM SOLVED.