rbarstow Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 I have a 2016 F350 and have heard a little in regards to the f250/350 trucks experiencing death wobble. Can anybody give me a liitle info on what exactly this is? Are certain models more prone to it/ How common it may or may not be? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 "Death wobble" is NOT unique to F250/F350. It is seen in almost all 4WD drive vehicles with a solid axle ! It show up at speed above about 45 MPH, so mostly on the highway. You hit a small bump and suddenly the steering wheel and all of the steering system go into a violent oscillation. The vehicle still is going straight (more or less) and you do have some control. The only solution is hold on tight and take your foot off the accelerator and coast to a lower speed where it will stop. No one has ever pin pointed a cause or a solution. Tight (new) steering components help. A steering damper helps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danglin Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 I have owned 3 4WD (1999, 2004 and currently a 2014) Superduties. I have yet to experience this phenomenon ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 5 hours ago, danglin said: I have owned 3 4WD (1999, 2004 and currently a 2014) Superduties. I have yet to experience this phenomenon ? The 99 and 04 had leaf spring front suspensions and are far less prone to it. As Wizard said, ANY solid axle front end can. Heep Wranglers and the old Heep Cherokees were AWFUL about it. I've even ridden in a Squarebody GM that was bad. Death wobble is a violent harmonic oscillation. The front suspension begins to "ring" like a huge tuning fork. Anything that changes the harmonic of the suspension can lessen or increase the propensity of it. Tires/pressures, loose/damaged/missing parts, track bar angle not matching drag link angle for people who modify, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lin19687 Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 I had this happen a few times on my F350 2006. I just learned to stay away from bumps on the highway and not speed too fast. Curious what this looks like from behind the truck? I didn't look in the rear view I just held on tight and moved over fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT84 Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 I heard about this year's ago after getting my 2012 F250 4X4 and was worried about it for the longest. However, till this day I have yet to experience the wobble, despite driving on some rough highways from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEMetzger Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 On 7/19/2020 at 1:40 PM, JT84 said: I heard about this year's ago after getting my 2012 F250 4X4 and was worried about it for the longest. However, till this day I have yet to experience the wobble, despite driving on some rough highways from time to time. So two responses by users who have never experienced the death wobble (Danglin and JT84). Obviously a serious and dangerous issue when it happens and I'm sure far more owners experience it than is officially reported. I'm curious how many other users haven't dealt with a death wobble? I'll be taking delivery of my 2020 Super Duty likely in August of September and don't plan on a lift kit, bigger tires, or any other modifications. I also keep to factory recommended maintenance schedules as much as I can so hopefully that will reduce the possibility of issues and increase worn part detection. Within the next handful of years I'll end up with three new drivers in my house and, while the threat of the death wobble won't prevent me from letting them drive my truck it will be something I'll go over as far as safety talks go. Similar to what to do for a blown tire, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 19 hours ago, JEMetzger said: I also keep to factory recommended maintenance schedules as much as I can so hopefully that will reduce the possibility of issues and increase worn part detection. Probably NOT ! I don't believe that the standard maintenance schedule says anything specific about testing front suspension components for wear, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcartwright99 Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 It's funny this thread has come up. I saw this on the road for the first time coming back from the trails on Saturday. Newer F350 was in front of me going about 75-80. Then I noticed all sorts of wobble. I thought he got a flat at first. It was strange see it shake but continue to move forward. I thought this was a Jeep only issue but I guess not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lin19687 Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 My '06 was straight standard no extra stuff on it. I can say that I only got it while in the high speed lane going FAR more then the speed limit..... and probably faster then I should have been driving a Diesel lol. I think with my new one I'll be staying out of that lane and slow it down some? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kluger Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Had a 2011 F250 PSD CCLB until last year when a tree jumped out and hit it. (2020 F350 PSD on order) Never experienced the problem described but it does not sound like fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffBalance Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 How fast are the oscillations? Like similar to trailer sway or faster? Has anyone seen correlation to any suspension packages (ie camper) or tire type (A/S vs A/T) or size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lin19687 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 18 hours ago, OffBalance said: How fast are the oscillations? Like similar to trailer sway or faster? Has anyone seen correlation to any suspension packages (ie camper) or tire type (A/S vs A/T) or size? It's awful when it happens. It'll scare the crap outta you especially when you have little kids in the truck. Mine was with stock tires and maybe the 2nd time with cheaper tires but not the super cheap ones. It's like hitting the rubble strip and the road being wavy all at the sme time, hrd to explain. Can't answer the other question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trich Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 (edited) My brother has had a 2012 and now 2019 F350 and both have had every thing you can think of to get it fixed. Best solution for both trucks was dual stabilizers to help slow the wobble. Hope my 2020 f250 happens to be the one that the wobble misses. Edited August 12, 2020 by trich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY93SHO Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY93SHO Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 43 minutes ago, trich said: My brother has had a 2012 and now 2019 F350 and both have had every thing you can think of to get it fixed. Best solution for both trucks was dual stabilizers to help slow the wobble. Hope my 2020 f250 happens to be the one that the wobble misses. Check out the video I just posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trich Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 I know the castor was adjusted on the 2012 but like stated in the video the mechanic may not have went far enough outside the factory specs. I know the dealer wouldn't do it on either truck, the 2012 was done after the truck went out of warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 17 hours ago, MY93SHO said: Check out the video I just posted. That is a GREAT video ! I always knew that worn parts were part of the death wobble problem. I always SUSPECTED that more caster would help and it was explained very well in the video. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADMAX 43 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 CASTER IS THE ANSWER TO DEATH WOBBLE. PUT CASTER ADJUSTMENT IN MONO TUBE ARM FROM B&D DIESEL. ALL FIXED . STABLE TO 100+MPH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 14 minutes ago, MADMAX 43 said: CASTER IS THE ANSWER TO DEATH WOBBLE. PUT CASTER ADJUSTMENT IN MONO TUBE ARM FROM B&D DIESEL. ALL FIXED . STABLE TO 100+MPH. Why on earth other than the obvious "because I can" would you ever drive 3/4 + ton truck 100+ miles per hour?? I get it, if she is stable at 100+ MPH, imagine how rock solid it will be at 75-80...but, sheez....100+ ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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