I have a 2011 Ford 350 truck with 90,000 miles on it. I love this truck and really not have any major issues. I live in Naples Florida and my wife and I are on a grand 12,000 mile northwest trip even into Canada and the Canadian rockies. The other day we were outside of Fargo ND and were driving back to our campsite unhooked when we hit a bump in the road going about 65 miles an hour below the posted 75 mile per hour speed limit. We were not pulling our RW at this time. The truck started to shake violently I think from the front end. So I stopped, thinking I had a flat tire. The tires (all 6) were fine and they are new by the way. So we started up again and hit another rough area going about 50 MPH and the same thing. I slowed down to about 30 and it stopped. Across from our camp was a service garage well recommended from the camp site. They put new tie rods and joints etc in. $950 dollars later it was finished with a new alignment as well. We hitched up and drove off the Bismarck yesterday and all seemed great, smooth drive and all. Today we were off and were sight seeing and coming home going about 65MPH crossed some tracks and the same thing happened. There were cars and trucks going just and fast and faster going over the same area. Slowed down to 50 and it stopped and came back to the camp at about 60 MPH and all seemed well. It is just when I hit a rough bump. I think it is the front end, but maybe it is the back, however I have never felt such shaking. I have an appointment with Ford tomorrow morning. Any Ideas? I don't want to drive back to Fargo 3 hours to the same place so I am gong to Ford. I am frustrated.
Google Death Wobble and you will see your problem is not uncommon. You are doing good by taking it to the dealer to get it checked out. Worn joints and tie rods can cause this. I’ve had multiple f series trucks over the years from my business in construction and some have it and some don’t. Usually its replacement of worn parts and an alignment to fix the issue. Definitely get it checked out.
Yes, it's the Ford "death wobble" although it apparently happens on trucks with a solid front axle.
I had it, took it to a shop and the mechanic smiled when I mentioned the symptoms (he had seen the problem before), the fix was simple, a worn out ball joint on the track bar, Ford dealer had lots of spares in stock! The mechanic put the truck on a hoist with an assistant in it moving the steering wheel while he looked at the ball joints for excessive play.
That is it exactly
Dave - once you cross the boarder, are you coming out to the West Coast in Canada?
We are heading to Glacier NP for 5 days then up to Canmore and Banff for a week then to Vancouver for a few days and south to Seattle, Portland and the Redwood NP before heading east through the Columbia River gorge and east
We are heading to Glacier NP for 5 days then up to Canmore and Banff for a week then to Vancouver for a few days and south to Seattle, Portland and the Redwood NP before heading east through the Columbia River gorge and east
Send me a note before arriving Vancouver and we can meet you for lunch - president@redwoodrvowners.com
We are about 30 miles outside downtown.
Will do
Went to Ford today in Bismarck. They said the new items Fargo put in the truck were right, but the alignment was off that they did. They re-adjusted the alignment and added a new steering stabilization piece. We test drove my truck and hit the bump that caused the last vibration and all was well. So I have piece of mind for the remainder of my 12,000 mile trip of the US northwest.
