Super Duty Front End Vibration Question

[Haoleguy]

I have noticed that on several Ford truck forums that there is a discussion about violent front end vibration on the newer Super Duty.....Ford F-250, F-350 & Super Duty Forum. Anyone know if this problem is now understood and has a correction course supported by Ford? Seems like a very dangerous issue based on the posts I read....Gary

 

[deerefan]

I have noticed that on several Ford truck forums that there is a discussion about violent front end vibration on the newer Super Duty.....Ford F-250, F-350 & Super Duty Forum. Anyone know if this problem is now understood and has a correction course supported by Ford? Seems like a very dangerous issue based on the posts I read....Gary

It was prevalent in my 06 f250. Steering stabilizers fixed. I have not noticed it in the new trucks.

 

[Soundguy]

i have an 04 250 that has a knocking sound up front.. though it is not felt at the wheel / steer wheel, and is not a vibration or shimmey. just a knock sound.

I've replaced both hubs, rod ends, knuckles.. shocks and stabs..e tc.

no change whatsoever

have bene under looked at all parts with rubber bushings.. everything is new or repalced or in good condition... can't see a thing wrong with friends helping me rock the truck while I'm on a creeper..e tc.

just letting it ride now.

no similar issue on my 99 350 4wd and 450 2wd.....250 is 4wd.

 

[robs660]

You are talks about the infamous ford death rattle. I had it in 2 of my f250 crew cabs. An 04 and a 07. Dealer told me everything from tires to steering stabilizer to my driving. I always lived with it. Because they could not fix

 

[Haoleguy]

You are talks about the infamous ford death rattle. I had it in 2 of my f250 crew cabs. An 04 and a 07. Dealer told me everything from tires to steering stabilizer to my driving. I always lived with it. Because they could not fix

Yes that's what I'm talking about. I had not seen the discussion before( had not been looking for it) and it disturbs me that it's been showing up in the newest Super Dutys....Gary

 

[jk96]

i have an 04 250 that has a knocking sound up front.. though it is not felt at the wheel / steer wheel, and is not a vibration or shimmey. just a knock sound.

I've replaced both hubs, rod ends, knuckles.. shocks and stabs..e tc.

no change whatsoever

have bene under looked at all parts with rubber bushings.. everything is new or repalced or in good condition... can't see a thing wrong with friends helping me rock the truck while I'm on a creeper..e tc.

just letting it ride now.

no similar issue on my 99 350 4wd and 450 2wd.....250 is 4wd.

Does this happen when driving straight or only turning? I also have a knocking sound as you describe in my 05 F250 but only when I turn. Almost like the 4wd is locked in even though its not.

Jeremy

 

[slowzuki]

I'm used to driving solid axle leaf sprung vehicles, lots of front ends rattles. Very important the panhard and draglink be keep in good shape.

On my 350 I've got an out of round front tire that thumps and slaps the leaf springs, a sway bar bushing that makes a teeny bit of noise and bad u-joints / needle bearing in the 4wd axle that rattle around over bumps. (The parts to fix the axle cost more than what I paid for the truck and they still work at low speed)

The newer coil sprung ones, the panhard is most important for death wobble.

In places without safety inspections I suppose the ball joints could get bad enough to give problems, here they won't let them go very far.

 

[rasimmo]

Yes that's what I'm talking about. I had not seen the discussion before( had not been looking for it) and it disturbs me that it's been showing up in the newest Super Dutys....Gary

If you have one with that problem ask the service dept at the dealership to check for any tech service bullitens on it.
I had a knock that I thought was in the front end on my 09 SD. They found a bulliten about a shim being added to the cab that stopped my problem. I am not saying that will fix the death wobble, just saying a check of bullitens may turn up something.

 

[Soundguy]

Does this happen when driving straight or only turning? I also have a knocking sound as you describe in my 05 F250 but only when I turn. Almost like the 4wd is locked in even though its not.

Jeremy

can happen straight or turning, only hapens straight if I'm changing elevations.. ie, driving up a curb or a bump.

not that I've replaced all the front suspension too, with neary a change..

 

[Johnp33]

I am a HD mechanic retired, I worked mainly on class eight engines but am 3/4 way finished building my shop.
I do quite a bit of Ford repaires especially on the 4x4 front axles, The first thing I would check is the steering box free play, turn the wheel full travel to the left unlock the jam nut. Hold it and turn in the Allen screw till it bottoms. back out 1/4 turn and lock it. You have to test it you do not want it binding on you just turning it on a smooth floor and see if it rebounds back each way.
That should take out a lot of the wobble. You want to get someone to shake the steering back and forth gently and with you finger see if there is any movement.
Then jack it up on 4 stands, all wheels off the ground, turn the wheel about 1/2 way to the right and with the front axle engaged, in first gear, at idle allow the wheels to turn if the wheel tries to straighten then a "U" joint is stiffened and you have to figure which one and replace the stiff one.
After a drive of about 1/2 hour, reach in and feel the shocks, if they are not warm they are junk.
Then there are the ball joints and hubs, also the needle bearings, front axle oil level. :thumbsup:I love Ford!

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is common on SuperDutys. I have experienced a bad steering box on my 04 F250 diesel just before it was sold at 140,000 miles. Only part ever changed on that truck other than a mirror I knocked off.

Chris

 

[murphy1244]

i HAD TO CHANGE THE STEERING BOX AND BALL JOINTS ON A f-250sd AT 45.000 MILES. nEEDLESS TO SAY i SOLD IT NEVER TO RETURN. Sorry about the Caps....

 

[B7510HSD]

I have noticed that on several Ford truck forums that there is a discussion about violent front end vibration on the newer Super Duty.....Ford F-250, F-350 & Super Duty Forum. Anyone know if this problem is now understood and has a correction course supported by Ford? Seems like a very dangerous issue based on the posts I read....Gary

Well rumor has it from some here on the forum that during the bailout Ford was trying to help GM and bought front end parts from them so until GM gives them an ok on the recall they will vibrate! Some say adding a GM emblem to your Ford hood will help tone down the violent part to a mild vibration.. MERRY CHRISTMAS To ALL!!:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Some say adding a GM emblem to your Ford hood will help tone down the violent part to a mild vibration.. MERRY CHRISTMAS To ALL!!:thumbsup:

I would rather have a sister in a ***** house than do that.

Thats a sure way to make sure it will never run right again.

Chris

 

[grizzlydave]

Our work trucks (05-07 f-250's) did this ! Seemed to happen mostly when hitting a bump while turning ! It will scare the s@#t out of you at 65mph . Ford garage played dumb and said nothing was wrong several times . We now have chevy work trucks ! I wonder if this happens on gas trucks too ?

 

[slowzuki]

The needle bearings are a common problem since no one lubes them.

 

[sparc]

Well rumor has it from some here on the forum that during the bailout Ford was trying to help GM and bought front end parts from them so until GM gives them an ok on the recall they will vibrate! Some say adding a GM emblem to your Ford hood will help tone down the violent part to a mild vibration.. MERRY CHRISTMAS To ALL!!:thumbsup:

Maybe GM will authorize Ford to give everyone $100; disable the steering; and call it even like the washer fluid incident. :laughing:

I shouldn't poke fun I may be a victim before long now that I have a 2012 F-350. How soon does this show up? Will I have to wait 30K miles or will it happen sooner? What is the newest truck known to be affected with these symptoms?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have had 3 Superdutys. Only one has needed any front end work and that was well after 100,000 miles. Don't worry about it as they say in Jersey...

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

If you let the front end components of any solid axle truck get worn out, it will get squirrly. My F350 had most of its front end work (bearings and balljoints) at about 130,000 miles. A bunch of that was with a snow plow on it.

 

[VTFireftr]

I have a 2003 F250 with 187K miles on it.

I had the death wobble. The fix was replacinfg the tie rods. Where the two pieces connected, the bolt hole had elongated and would work itself loose when I hit a bump. Replaced both ends and no more issues.

In the pre 2005 4 x 4 superduties, the needle bearings would wear out and constanlty need to be repalced. I had 3 sets in 100K miles in my 2001.

No issues with my 2005 - Yet!

Hope this helps.

marc