F250 "Death Wobble"

[Eagle Keeper]

Thanks for the update!

[AirMiles]

My 2019 F250 Platinum also has a stock steering stabilizer shock shown circled in the attached picture.

[turk123]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

My 2019 F250 Platinum also has a stock steering stabilizer shock shown circled in the attached picture.

Guess what's that's for. To stop death wobble!

[stevesiegel]

I have a 2016 F250 and picked up our 1993 25' AS last Fall in Denver. Drove through Lake Tahoe to Los Angeles without WD (WD rig didn't fit our hitch). Other than headlights not hitting the road; it drove like a dream the entire way. Get a strong wobble (doesn't feel like death) without any load, but not towing.

[CarterKraft]

The '17's had some front end components that were not up to snuff and would wear prematurely.

There is a TSB with update info required. They add more caster as well as stabilizer.

If anyone feels death wobble or the start of it you should report it ASAP to Ford and NHTSA to get corrective action. If you have never experienced and aren't sure if you have I can assure you that you will KNOW when it happens...

It's not really a plague for the FSuperDuty but it is a possibility with any solid axle vehicle, even Twin Beam Ford 2 wheel drive trucks can do it.

TSB # 18-2268

Model: Ford
2017-2019 F-Super Duty

Issue: Some 2017-2019 F-250/F-350 4WD vehicles built on or before 31-Jul-2018 may exhibit a sustained steering wheel oscillation after driving over rough pavement or an expansion joint above 45 mph (72 Km/h).

Action: Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

Parts

Part NumberDescriptionQuantity
HC3Z-3E651-D
Steering Linkage Damper1
5C3Z-3B440-EEE
1º Adjuster Assembly2
5C3Z-3B440-DDD
3/4º Adjuster Assembly2
5C3Z-3B440-CCC
1/2º Adjuster Assembly2
5C3Z-3B440-BBB
1/4º Adjuster Assembly2
F2TZ-3A049-A
Castle Nut2
W525288-S437
Cotter Pin2

[Baby Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by CarterKraft

The '17's had some front end components that were not up to snuff and would wear prematurely.

There is a TSB with update info required. They add more caster as well as stabilizer.

Printed out the TSB and took it to the dealer. They knew exactly what to do - which in my case was to install an improved steering stabilizer. Apparently the caster was ok.

[absteen]

I currently own a 2017 F-250 4x4 diesel crew cab Lariat (whew!). This is my 5th F-250 starting with the 7.3. I have never heard of this issue, and all my trucks were great tow vehicles for all my Airstreams. Not sure what your friend is talking about, but you may want to get more information.
Andrew K6STN
2017 27' FB International Signature
2017 F-250 4x4 diesel crew cab Lariat

[TRizzuti]

Why does this happen on 250’s and 350’s but not 150’s?

[SimRunner]

I have a 2017 F250 diesel with no modifications with about 16,000 “death wobble” free miles. The front end looks same as picture posted previously of a 2019 F250 by AirMiles.

[Travel Pro]

Originally Posted by ibordelon

I have recently purchased a 2019 F250 Turbo Diesel 4x4. A buddy of mine brought to my attention the "Death Wobble" experienced by F250 owners. Can anyone on here give me their thoughts or experience regarding this topic? I have a 1972 31' Excella 500 that I am wanting to tow. If the death wobble is a real issue with the F250, as well as 2500 Ram and some Jeeps, what TV would you recommend? I do not want to blow this issue out of proportion, especially if it is not really an issue, but I want to have a safe vehicle for my family to travel in while towing the camper. I am thinking the Ford F150 does not have the tow capacity to safely pull the trailer. Am I right or will it tow comfortably, especially out west in the mountains? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Hi ibordelon, death wobble does exist and normally occurs in 4WD solid front axle vehicles. The F250, F350, and the equivalent Dodge/Ram pickups are the most common occurrences. It is not unknown in other vehicles including jeeps and even independent front suspension-ed vehicles such as GM products. The comments from crispyboy are correct per my experience. The problem happens most in vehicles that have not had the steering related wear components maintained and/or replaced, in vehicles that have not been kept properly aligned including caster, camber, and tow, or vehicles that have been significantly modified. Heavier and larger tires than factory original can also cause wear and can add to the wobble oscillations when they happen. Lifted vehicles are more susceptible because the geometry of the steering components has been altered and frequently stronger components were not installed at all points to cope with this. Both Diesel World and Diesel Power have done excellent articles on this topic and how to diagnose and prevent it. A big help is installing an aftermarket, high-quality steering stabilizer and aftermarket heavier-duty steering components. Many people get lucky and get a truck that all parts were assembled correctly and were up to spec - and many others spend the time and effort to properly and preemptively maintain their vehicles. These folks probably won't get the experience of trying to get a very heavy vehicle that has quit steering properly back under control.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by TRizzuti

Why does this happen on 250’s and 350’s but not 150’s?

4WD F150s have independent front suspension. 4WD SuperDuty trucks use a solid front axle, the front suspension is significantly different.

[Moonlight3]

I have dealt with this issue since Ford introduced the coil spring front end in 2005. If all your steering components are in good shape and you are getting the death wobble. This is your fix.
http://www.moonlightdiesel.com/ford-...fix-1240102-ii
The factory bushing is just to soft and even though the bushing doesn't seem bad it will give enough to allow the death wobble.
Give it a shot.. I have seen it fix this issue on every truck as long as all the other steering joints are in good shape.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

Death wobble doesn't happen unless there are worn out components in the front end of a solid axle vehicle.
Watch for play in the track bar bushings, ball joints and steering linkage. Keep good shocks and steering stabalizer. With a little knowledge you can diagnose these issues before it ever becomes a problem. Practice preventative maintenance.

I have been driving solid axle vehicles for 40 years and have never had the "death wobble".

Me neither.

[Life is a Highway]

I have a new 19 F-250 1400 miles and to date
no issues with our 25 ft Flying Cloud FB.

Equalizer hitch 10,000 lb bars. Set up by the dealer works well.

Rear end settles 1.5 inches the ft end does not lift
at all.

We tow 65 and under. Tires set to door placard presser

I have heard and read plus a friend of mine has a 15 F150 with scary wobble problems. No one can fix it yet. I had no problems with our
18 F-150 with max tow. A very strong truck 3.5 eco boost but we always
felt on the edge of towing safety. This 250 is sooooo much
nicer to tow with.

[Florida 55]

Originally Posted by ibordelon

I have recently purchased a 2019 F250 Turbo Diesel 4x4. A buddy of mine brought to my attention the "Death Wobble" experienced by F250 owners. Can anyone on here give me their thoughts or experience regarding this topic? I have a 1972 31' Excella 500 that I am wanting to tow. If the death wobble is a real issue with the F250, as well as 2500 Ram and some Jeeps, what TV would you recommend? I do not want to blow this issue out of proportion, especially if it is not really an issue, but I want to have a safe vehicle for my family to travel in while towing the camper. I am thinking the Ford F150 does not have the tow capacity to safely pull the trailer. Am I right or will it tow comfortably, especially out west in the mountains? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I have a 2011 F250 Lariat, 6.7 diesel, with 96,500 miles, over half of the miles pulling a 27FB Airstream. I have never experienced the "death wobble" and have towed my Airstream on some of the nation's worst Interstate highways as well as down country dirt roads. After reading many threads about F250 handling on Airforums as well as some of the Ford truck forums I replaced the factory shocks with Bilstein 5100 shocks at about 12,000 miles. The new shocks dramatically improved the ride and handling. You might want to check out the Powerstroke.org forum which is specifically for owners of Ford super duty diesel trucks. As I've encountered issues with my truck over the years of ownership I've found the information on that forum often helpful.

[Moonlight3]

I tried to post a link to the fix for this issue but maybe since I am new to airstream it didn't work or maybe links are not allowed. I am new to airstream but I have worked on diesel trucks all my life. This is a known issue on Ford trucks 2005 and newer if all the steering components are good the fix is Moonlight Diesels trac bar bushing it won't give like the stock one. Seen it fix hundreds of trucks search other forums I'm sure you can find lots of guys it has helped.

[polarlyse]

I'm gonna attempt to tackle this one from my own experience. Many comments here in this thread ( I have not read them all yet) say that the DW stems from worn out steering / suspension components. I believe this is probably accurate but leaves room for the other reasons where things are not "Worn Out". I experienced the DW with approx.
23k miles on my 2015 F-350 short bed, single wheel 4x4. I took it to Ford and, of course, they couldn't duplicate the DW and handed it back saying all's good. It never happened when towing our 30' AS thankfully but seemed to happen in the same spot along a highway I drove occassionally. It was a high speed left ramp from one interstate to another combined with some roughness the concrete surface. I lived with it for awhile since it was such an infrequent happening. During this time, maybe in the 50k miles area I put new Bilstein shocks in with hopes it might prevent the wobble. It did not. Lets advance forward now to summer 2018 and I had my truck at ford for unrelated warranty issues and while speaking with the service mgr. ( this is a different dealer from the first time and one more tuned in to trucks) we took a close look at the front suspension. He was of the opinion that the track bar ball joint showed a LITTLE play and should be replaced under my extended warranty. Now we were in the 65k range.

Determined to solve this matter I took my truck to a reputable front end shop BEFORE going to ford. I was looking to have some ammunition in my pocket to discuss with the ford service dept. The opinion of the front end shop was that they could find no obvious reason for any wobble but their recommendation was that the single steering stabilizer that was original to the truck ( also changed at the time of the shocks to a bilstein one) was not sufficient for the heavy truck suspension and recommended installing a double steering kit.

So, with all this information I went to Ford as stated above.

1. Track bar ball joint replaced at Ford
2. Double steering stabilizer kit installed ( original remains so now I have 3) at front end shop.
3. New Michelin tires
4. Front end alignment at front end shop

Death wobble gone but with all this work done I have no idea where the solution lies. But my truck drives like new and not even a hint of a wobble where in the past I often would sense a slight vibration in the steering that did occasionally erupt into the full scale death wobble.

Sorry to be so long winded but it's a tale that needed to be explained.

Don't give up on it. The resolution is out there somewhere.

[Sav'h Steve]

Tire Pressure? I took my 2003 F250 7.3 2WD in this morning for a 'severe shudder' at times in the front end. It would start shuddering and build up till I pulled over to the shoulder to check things. Then it would slowly go away in the next mile.
All they could find is low (40psi) in the right front tire. Mechanic said low pressure would allow the beads to move.

I Thought I might have bad tires. They rotated and upped the pressure and we'll see.

[CarterKraft]

Originally Posted by Sav'h Steve

Tire Pressure? I took my 2003 F250 7.3 2WD in this morning for a 'severe shudder' at times in the front end. It would start shuddering and build up till I pulled over to the shoulder to check things. Then it would slowly go away in the next mile.
All they could find is low (40psi) in the right front tire. Mechanic said low pressure would allow the beads to move.

I Thought I might have bad tires. They rotated and upped the pressure and we'll see.

That is death wobble. A 2wd Ford with worn radius arm and traction beam bushings will do it terribly. I don't believe the tire pressure is your problem.

I would be very careful about who/where drives the truck.

[sncnidaho]

Originally Posted by Myelfself

I think that "death wobble" is total BS. If you have the lane keeping option on the truck it'll give the steering wheel a shake if you are getting close to the lane lines.

I have a 2014 F250 and have experienced the dreaded "death wobble" a couple of times. I don't have the lane keeping option..........wasn't available in 2014.