Hello all! I have a 2011 F350 with a 6.7 a 6 inch lift with 35's. About 25,000 miles on her. Today I was driving at about 65mph pulling my 5th wheel toy hauler on the L.A. Freeway when I hit a rough patch of road. The front end of the truck began to shake violently. I felt like the the truck was going to come apart. Slowly eased on the brakes and got over to the side. When I got to about 35-40mph it suddenly stopped. Is the traction control system out of whack? It's the second time it's done this to me. Scared the hell out of my family. Anybody know what it could be? I look forward to learning more from this forum.
Thanks. Jason

 

Sounds like a steering damper (steering shock absorber) has gone bad. Look to see if there is a leak aroudn it. Or remove one end and run it through a stroke. If it "jumps" or "skips" while stroking it is bad.

 

Thanks for your response. I will ask the shop that installed the lift kit on my truck to check it out. I went by there today and asked a couple of the mechanics. They mentioned I needed to get it on the rack and check for possible worn out ball joints or tie rod ends.according to the guys it's common with strait axle trucks. Then seems to cause a death wobble. At 25,000 miles? I gues its not the amount of miles you have but parts just wear out over time. They also mentioned possibly adding a steering stabilizer. Any recommendations on that?

 

Well ball joints and tie rods can be easily checked. Jack up the wheel. Grab at 6 and 12 o'
clock and rock it. If it has much play then that usually indicates ball joint issues. Grab at 3 and 9 o'clock, wiggle and you can see if the tie rod ends are worn. See Youtube for using this procedure.

 

Ok. Great. I will do that. If I have to replace them should I go back with factory stuff or try and buy aftermarket? From what I remember, there is nothing under the truck that is greaseable. Every time I've taken it back to Ford for my lube and oil I seem to remember the guys saying that everything is sealed. So if you can't lube the joints could that be causing the to wear so quick?

 

I am having the same issue with a 2015 f250. everything in the steering has been replaced other than the gearbox itself we even changed the shocks. the violent shake isnt all the time its only when you hit the right bump then its like tires turn to sqaures.