How Do You Stop A Ford Death Wobble?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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To stop the shaking,

drivers must quickly slow way down or even stop completely

. Slowing or having to stop on fast-moving highways puts both truck occupants and other vehicles at risk. More than 1,200 Ford truck drivers have filed complaints about the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Can the Ford death wobble be fixed?

It is important to understand that

there is no single problem that causes wobble

. Rather, any combination of things, such as tire balance, loose bolts, worn bushings, bad alignment, and even tire pressure can trigger the condition. Correcting death wobble is often a slow and meticulous process of elimination.

What causes a death wobble in a Ford?

Ford Motor Company), says the death wobble is caused by

a defect linked to abnormal wear or loosening of the track bar bushing, damper bracket, ball joints, control arms, shocks or struts

. … Southern Off-Road Specialists in Alpharetta has seen plenty over the years come in with death wobble.

What is Ford doing to fix the death wobble?

Ford is sending many customers a letter which says if your truck has “

sustained steering wheel oscillation after hitting rough pavement or an expansion joint at speeds

typically above 45 mph,” bring it to the dealer and it will replace the steering linkage damper for free. Ford says it takes about half a day.

How do you stop death wobble while driving?

Maintain Proper

Tire Pressure

: Common triggers for the death wobble include over-inflated, under-inflated, or mismatched tire pressures. To prevent the death wobble from occurring, you should make sure to check your tire pressure regularly and deflate or inflate your tires as necessary.

How do I get rid of death wobble?

Begin by using a jack to lift one of your front wheels off the ground and place your hands on the top and bottom of the wheel. Try to wiggle the wheel from the top and bottom, if you feel movement, your

wheel bearing

is most likely worn out and should be replaced. Move to the other side and repeat this test.

What year Fords have the death wobble?

The lawsuit is on behalf of several current and former Ford drivers with F-250 and F-350 trucks from

model years 2005 through 2019

, all reporting the same problem as Phillips. “The complaints are replete with customers who have paid thousands of dollars trying to get rid of this problem.

Is death wobble covered by warranty?

When owners and lessees of the Jeep Vehicles return to their dealership to complain about the Death Wobble, Jeep offers to replace the steering damper

if the vehicle is under warranty

. … The “Death Wobble” will ultimately return and can only be remedied by substantial revisions and repair to the suspension.

Why does my truck wobble when I hit a bump?

Generally, several vehicle conditions can cause vibrations, from worn suspension parts to brakes and transmissions to tires. … If you feel a fast, vibrating shimmy, hitting the bump may

have knocked your vehicle's weight off

, and now a tire is out of balance. Either way, now your vehicle's parts are out of sync.

Why does my Ford F250 shake?

The Ford F250 death wobble is

caused when the defective front axles encounter even a small detriment on the road

. … The Ford F250 death wobble normally occurs when the vehicle hits a bump or groove in the road while driving at normal highway speeds.

How does a death wobble happen?

What Causes the Death Wobble? In most cases, the death wobble will occur

when driving at speeds of at least 45 miles per hour

and can be triggered by hitting a bump or pothole. Some of the most common causes of the death wobble include poorly installed suspension parts or loose or damaged steering components.

Will a steering stabilizer fix death wobble?


Steering stabilizers do not fix death wobble

.

What cars have death wobble?

Forbes has seen the death wobble mostly on

the Wrangler

, but mechanics say they have seen it on other Jeep vehicles as well, including Grand Cherokee and Cherokee models. They all have one piece of metal in common — it's called a track bar. It is a key part of the vehicle's steering mechanism.

Can ball joints cause death wobble?

Death wobble is very common on vehicles with a solid front axle and coil spring suspension that utilize a track bar. … Worn tie rods, idler arm, track bar, wheel bearings, pitman arm, steering center link and shaft, ball joints, alignment and even tire pressure can

combine

to cause the death wobble.

Will Jeep fix the death wobble for free?

Jeep will replace the steering damper – a stabilizer – with a new piece designed to mitigate better any vibrations that come through the front suspension.

Can bad U joints cause death wobble?

The biggest issue with death wobble is that it can have so many more causes than say, a driveline vibration, which can typically be narrowed down to a bent driveline, improper angle, or worn u-joint. …

Any wear item in your suspension or steering can potentially

cause death wobble.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.