Okay, I have posted this on other Ford forums and I'd like to generate discussion here.

I recently purchased an 06' F250 PSD 4x4, Quad Cab (or whatever they're calling the four door)

At medium (35-45) and high (65-75) speeds I've experienced what some have been calling "death wobble". I think death wobble can be defined as the following:

"Violent front end vibration or shaking that feels as if though the entire front end of the truck is coming apart (i.e. shaking or wobbling out of control) to a point that requires you to either slow to about 30 mph or pull off the road until it stops. Loss of vehicle control seems imminent."

Although this "I almost crapped my pants" feeling seems to cause catatrophic damage to suspension components, I cannot find any visible damage after inspecting the front end after it occurs.

1) Has anyone else directly experienced this? If so, please provide year, make, and model of your truck.
2) Has anyone taken this problem to a Ford dealership? If so, please provide what they did or suggested?
3) Lastly, has anyone that had this problem, somehow find a way to mitigate it or completely correct it?

My dealership suggested a phase of repairs beginning with correcting tire inflation followed by front end alignment and balance, followed by adding a (perhaps aftermarket) steering stabilizer (a device that looks just like a regular shock absorber and installed just above the draglink at an angle to the front axle).

Because I left the country for work shortly after I experienced the issue, I haven't been able to have these repairs made to my truck.

I did inflate the tires as instructed but experienced the wobble again the very next day so this is certainly not a sufficient solution.

IF there are any Ford techs out there that can shed some light, I'd greatly appreciate it.

IF there is anyone at all that can answer any of these questions I PROMISE a case of your favorite beer if it leads to actually fixing the problem (and I may consider naming my first born after you).

BOTTOM LINE:

These trucks aren't cheap.
They're traditionally great vehicles and a great deal of resources have been invested in their engineering and design.
Ford owners SHOULD NOT have to pay ANY out of pocket expenses to fix an inherent design flaw
I'm proud to purchase U.S. vehicles and am obviosuly willing to pay the increasing price of diesel (or gas for you V10 guys) in exchange for a safe, reliable, and powerful truck.

I'm not trying to generate any sort of action AGAINST Ford but rather am trying to determine how widespread the issue really is.

The intent here is to try and measure the scope and depth of a potential issue in order to organize the data & provide Ford with quantifiable feedback.

A database of issues delivered to Ford on behalf of it's consumers will surely be appreciated by the company to preserve consumer confidence and satisfaction on their products.

If you (or someone you know) is having similar issues, please send me an email at: admin@fordtruckconsumerunion.com
Please include your name and an email address I can reply to in order to keep you informed of just how many people are having similar issues.

Thanks!



This post has been edited by BRAVOZULU9: Jun 10 2008, 10:46 AM

To whom it may concern:

I bought my F-250 over two years ago and yet to find a answer to this problem. I putting another set of the same tires I've been running (315-70-17) new today, because I just had the front end check once again by an independant shop. The ownwer of the shop has the same truck as mine and experince the same. I don't have 40" Tires and a lift like he does. I do have larger than factory tire, but they ride good until you hit and uneven joint on a overpass or extreme dips in the highway. My truck will go into this wobble at about 70 MPH. Ihave what is considered a non-aggressive tread design for highway use. I have the tires road force balanced and rotate every 5 thousand miles. The tire wear evenly, but the death wobble still happening. I put a steering stabilizer shock on within the 1st couple of months of having this truck and that only seem to the handling from right to left. I really like this truck and would like a solution to this issue as well. The dealership is going tell you the size tire is the problem, but even with the factory 265-70-17 tire you get some shaking. I think they tell you that is the reason, becuase they just don't know. I'm a Ford Truckman and would like to continue be so, but if they don't come up with a solution I will change again even though I've stuck with ford for a long time.

Good Luck,

Robert

same problem I have 6800 miles same problem. any answers

I own a 4X4 shop in Mass I had several trucks with the steering wheel oscillation. We developed a redesigned track bar for both lifted and stock trucks. We have had extremely good success with our kit if you are interested let me know.
WCMOTORSPORT@VERIZON.NET

Straight axle or twin I beam front end? My straight axle had the same problem, until I moved the track bar down ( 6" lift ) to where it was almost parallel with the axle. I replaced the track bar bushings and the steering stabilizer shock. Seemed to fix that problem, but still have a little bump steer, but the death shake is gone!