My 2018 F250 has developed the death wobble at 50K miles. I have an appointment today to get new tires and wanted to see if I could get it to a mechanic either this afternoon or Monday. Any suggestions on a mechanic out this way or should I just go to the dealership?

Have you had the alignment checked??

What condition are the tires in currently?

Tires are about were you would expect a set of Goodyear Wranglers to be with 50K miles I would guess. They are not in terrible shape. There is slightly more wear on the outside of the tire. I have not had the alignment checked. I was going to have that done wherever I take it.

I would get the new tires installed and have the alignment checked.

I like Arivex alignment. They're a little far from Katy but they're honest and the shop is
New and they have the best equipment.

I'd also replace the stabilizer with a Bilstein.

Has anybody finally diagnosed to cause of this in F250s? There's a Youtube channel called WatchJRgo where he has several videos about his attempts to fix his own F250 death wobble. I'm not confident he ever permanently fixed it.

Edit: I did come across this article What Finally Fixed Our Death Wobble After Two Years 250 Death Wobble

There are millions of theories and fixes.

I've found that good tires, keeping tires rotatedproperly (cross front to back and back straight forward), getting rid of the OEM stabilizer for a Bilstein or any other brand,
And proper alignment keeps the issues at bay. The other smoking gun is too much caster. Which is why I asked about alignment.

If you drive in a big city like Houston, annual alignments are important. Also an opportunity to look at things like track bar bushings, which also cause death wobble.

These are 7000lb machines that need to have things like brakes and suspension inspected regularly.

Don't let the lazy techs do a front back rotation. It will cause a bad wear pattern that cannot be corrected.

There is a Ford TSB to replace the stabilizer with a larger one. Had mine fix under warranty and haven't had a problem since.

The Wonderer said:

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There is a Ford TSB to replace the stabilizer with a larger one. Had mine fix under warranty and haven't had a problem since.

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Did they do the track bar too?

I'm curious to see which supplier they used for the new stabilizer. Arvin Meritor/Tenneco Automotive was their go to for years.

This YouTube channel did a fix for his.



Edit: Not sure why the embed is telling me it is not valid

Internet mechanics love to be first to tell you replacing the stabilizer is worthless. I think it's still a bandaid but replacing mine, plus new tires and mine hasn't come back.

JB said:

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Internet mechanics love to be first to tell you replacing the stabilizer is worthless. I think it's still a bandaid but replacing mine, plus new tires and mine hasn't come back.

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This. It's in Ford's TSB on it to replace it, but the internet mechanics will tell you you're wrong.

It works.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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There are millions of theories and fixes.

I've found that good tires, keeping tires rotatedproperly (cross front to back and back straight forward), getting rid of the OEM stabilizer for a Bilstein or any other brand,
And proper alignment keeps the issues at bay. The other smoking gun is too much caster. Which is why I asked about alignment.

If you drive in a big city like Houston, annual alignments are important. Also an opportunity to look at things like track bar bushings, which also cause death wobble.

These are 7000lb machines that need to have things like brakes and suspension inspected regularly.

Don't let the lazy techs do a front back rotation. It will cause a bad wear pattern that cannot be corrected.

---

What is the preferred rotation?

SaluteTheMarines said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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There are millions of theories and fixes.

I've found that good tires, keeping tires rotatedproperly (cross front to back and back straight forward), getting rid of the OEM stabilizer for a Bilstein or any other brand,
And proper alignment keeps the issues at bay. The other smoking gun is too much caster. Which is why I asked about alignment.

If you drive in a big city like Houston, annual alignments are important. Also an opportunity to look at things like track bar bushings, which also cause death wobble.

These are 7000lb machines that need to have things like brakes and suspension inspected regularly.

Don't let the lazy techs do a front back rotation. It will cause a bad wear pattern that cannot be corrected.

---

What is the preferred rotation?

---

Cross fronts to rear, rear straight forward.

This allows the 'high sides" on the tread lugs that form due to turning/loading/wear to nibble down and even out.

1ags,

The guys at Arivex are nice as hell and the inside of that shop is extremely clean. Toe was pretty bad off. I will replace the stabilIzer and see what happens. I tried to get the wobble to happen post new tires and alignment fix and it hasn't repeated.

fishag04 said:

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1ags,

The guys at Arivex are nice as hell and the inside of that shop is extremely clean. Toe was pretty bad off. I will replace the stabilIzer and see what happens. I tried to get the wobble to happen post new tires and alignment fix and it hasn't repeated.

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Good. I'm in Katy if you need a hand with the stabilizer. But it's a one beer job at most.

I've had 10 cars aligned there so far. I used to recommend southwest, but since the original owner sold, the new owner is hands off and lets the shop foreman and his ex-stripper wife run the business. Last time I showed up he met me in the parking lot and said if I didn't leave the car, he was not taking the work. So I said screw it and left. Found Arivex on Google and haven't been back to SW since. It's in a sketchy area but once you're inside the gates, it's very nice.

Also most of the alignment techs at Arivex are ex SW employees.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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The Wonderer said:

---

There is a Ford TSB to replace the stabilizer with a larger one. Had mine fix under warranty and haven't had a problem since.

---

Did they do the track bar too?

I'm curious to see which supplier they used for the new stabilizer. Arvin Meritor/Tenneco Automotive was their go to for years.

---

Yep. They kept the truck for a full day to take care of it.

Just saw this

aggiedata said:

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Just saw this

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Bet me that truck has 37" chinese
Tires on American force wheels and a puck "lift"

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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SaluteTheMarines said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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There are millions of theories and fixes.

I've found that good tires, keeping tires rotatedproperly (cross front to back and back straight forward), getting rid of the OEM stabilizer for a Bilstein or any other brand,
And proper alignment keeps the issues at bay. The other smoking gun is too much caster. Which is why I asked about alignment.

If you drive in a big city like Houston, annual alignments are important. Also an opportunity to look at things like track bar bushings, which also cause death wobble.

These are 7000lb machines that need to have things like brakes and suspension inspected regularly.

Don't let the lazy techs do a front back rotation. It will cause a bad wear pattern that cannot be corrected.

---

What is the preferred rotation?

---

Cross fronts to rear, rear straight forward.

This allows the 'high sides" on the tread lugs that form due to turning/loading/wear to nibble down and even out.

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Gracias.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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aggiedata said:

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Just saw this

---

Bet me that truck has 37" chinese
Tires on American force wheels and a puck "lift"

---

Happened to me in December going 78 on I-10 west of San Antonio. Completely stock F250 with about 17,000 miles. Timely maintenance on the tires and vehicle.

Buck Turgidson said:

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Has anybody finally diagnosed to cause of this in F250s? There's a Youtube channel called WatchJRgo where he has several videos about his attempts to fix his own F250 death wobble. I'm not confident he ever permanently fixed it.

Edit: I did come across this article What Finally Fixed Our Death Wobble After Two Years 250 Death Wobble

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It's just an inherent design problem in solid front axle vehicles. Steering box setups in modern $80k super duties are using basically the same design as 80 yrs ago. There's only so much you can tweak, and trucks are getting heavier, faster, and less forgiving.

Canyon99 said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

---

aggiedata said:

---

Just saw this

---

Bet me that truck has 37" chinese
Tires on American force wheels and a puck "lift"

---

Happened to me in December going 78 on I-10 west of San Antonio. Completely stock F250 with about 17,000 miles. Timely maintenance on the tires and vehicle.

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Oem Wranglers?

Seems like you just shouldn't buy an F-250.....

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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fishag04 said:

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1ags,

The guys at Arivex are nice as hell and the inside of that shop is extremely clean. Toe was pretty bad off. I will replace the stabilIzer and see what happens. I tried to get the wobble to happen post new tires and alignment fix and it hasn't repeated.

---

Good. I'm in Katy if you need a hand with the stabilizer. But it's a one beer job at most.

I've had 10 cars aligned there so far. I used to recommend southwest, but since the original owner sold, the new owner is hands off and lets the shop foreman and his ex-stripper wife run the business. Last time I showed up he met me in the parking lot and said if I didn't leave the car, he was not taking the work. So I said screw it and left. Found Arivex on Google and haven't been back to SW since. It's in a sketchy area but once you're inside the gates, it's very nice.

Also most of the alignment techs at Arivex are ex SW employees.

---

How long ago did SW sell? I used to use them for all of my vehicles.

3rdgenAg2010 said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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fishag04 said:

---

1ags,

The guys at Arivex are nice as hell and the inside of that shop is extremely clean. Toe was pretty bad off. I will replace the stabilIzer and see what happens. I tried to get the wobble to happen post new tires and alignment fix and it hasn't repeated.

---

Good. I'm in Katy if you need a hand with the stabilizer. But it's a one beer job at most.

I've had 10 cars aligned there so far. I used to recommend southwest, but since the original owner sold, the new owner is hands off and lets the shop foreman and his ex-stripper wife run the business. Last time I showed up he met me in the parking lot and said if I didn't leave the car, he was not taking the work. So I said screw it and left. Found Arivex on Google and haven't been back to SW since. It's in a sketchy area but once you're inside the gates, it's very nice.

Also most of the alignment techs at Arivex are ex SW employees.

---

How long ago did SW sell? I used to use them for all of my vehicles.

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Bout 2 or 3 years ago. It slowly declined in quality and friendliness. They aligned my super duty and the wheel was crooked. I took it back and he said that it was "just me". I went home and fixed it myself.

Next time I went back he "confronted " me in the parking lot and did the "if you can't leave it today, I'm not taking it...". So I said f it and found Arivex.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

---

There are millions of theories and fixes.

I've found that good tires, keeping tires rotatedproperly (cross front to back and back straight forward), getting rid of the OEM stabilizer for a Bilstein or any other brand,
And proper alignment keeps the issues at bay. The other smoking gun is too much caster. Which is why I asked about alignment.

If you drive in a big city like Houston, annual alignments are important. Also an opportunity to look at things like track bar bushings, which also cause death wobble.

These are 7000lb machines that need to have things like brakes and suspension inspected regularly.

Don't let the lazy techs do a front back rotation. It will cause a bad wear pattern that cannot be corrected.

---

I assume your talking about the Bilstein 5100 Steering Damper, right? I noticed Bilstein has a dual steering stabilizer. I can't tell if it's only for lifted trucks, or can be done w/ stock height (which I have). I had my DW fixed by Ford a few months ago. I haven't had any DW since, but there is still a little vibration here and there. Wondering if a steering stabilizer will help. I like the cost of Bilstein vs Fox, but I would definitely pay the extra cost for Fox or King if others feel they are worth it. This is my first 3/4 ton truck, so not sure how much of the rough ride is "normal." I mostly drive highway miles and tow our RV a few times a month.

I bought just the replacement single bilstein for my super duty.

leveled on 5100s (springs and shocks) and 35" Ridge Grapplers.

If I had gone any more, I would have bought the dual stabilizers with the adjustable track bar.

IIRC the dual setup requires you to have 3" of lift or more, otherwise the bracket for the dual shocks with hit the track bar.

Finally ordered the Bilstein steering stabilizer. Hoping to install next week or weekend. It likes a 10 minute weekday job, but these quick auto jobs always end up 5 times longer than I plan...

Any tips how to get the tapered bolt free? I've watched several youtube videos and have seen people using pickle forks, pitman arm pullers, and some people just hammering it out. Also, any recommendations on torque. I've read that Bilstein says ~34-37 ft/lb (can't remember exact number right now), but I've seen some comments saying they went 67 ft/lb.

A nice sledge hammer makes quick work.

What does the death wobble look like on the outside? Are the front tires jostling up and down at a rapid rate? It seems to be that's what's happening based on what I have learned about it so far. If that's the case, what directly controls the tire movements up and down? Shocks and Springs right? I think I would replace those first with a heavier duty version.

It's always a good idea to make sure alignment is good and such but I don't believe that would solve the overall problem. Heck, maybe the front end design is just bad and nothing will solve it. I also read there is a class action lawsuit out there for these covering f250/f350 from model years 2005-2019. What I find interesting about that is Ford switched over to coil springs in 2005.

Either way it sucks and I hope the problem for you f250/f350 owners gets resolved. I have considered buying an f250 but ended up staying with an f150 for now.

Don't really mean to bump an old thread, but watched a guy nearly eat a wall on the interstate today from death wobble. Messed up to see it happen to a truck you are behind. Ford really needs to address this.