Front end shimmy

[6speedsd]

On a 2003 F350 2wd dually. My dad has been having issues with this for a year now. Truck would be fine until you hit a good bump at speed, and the front tires would start to shake side to side. Get on the brakes and slow nearly all the way down and it stopped. It does this so violently that it nearly runs you off the road. I was behind him the other day when it started and you could see the tires wobbling when it happened. We replaced the drag link (right side inner tie rod), and it made it worse. That link had alot of slack in the joint, that's why we replaced it. Now he can't get over 45 mph without it starting, no matter the road condition. Going to replace the left inner tie rod, and both tie rod ends tomorrow and see what happens. Other than ball joints, I have no idea what else it could be. We even went so far as to alternate his spare rim up front to try and rule out a bent rim, but that didn't help either. All you hear about now is "death wobble", but all I can find is that it's primarily in 4wd trucks. Doesn't seem to be any slack in the steering box either. Anything I'm over looking here? Once we replace all the tie rod links, and possibly the ball joints, there really isn't anything else it could be!

Also, what would cause the front tires to lean in (at the top) when you back up? I'm thinking ball joints. Both of his lean in quite a bit when he backs up the least little bit.

 

[6speedsd]

Ok we have replaced all the tie rod components, everything from one tire across to the other. It doesn't shake as often now, but when it does, it's 10 times worse than before. So bad it almost shook both center caps off the rims. The steering is much tighter now, but we still haven't got it fixed. Probably going to do ball joints next. Don't thing those would let it shake like that, but I'm not ruling it out at this point. And i dont think I beam bushings would cause it either, but who knows. We have to get this fixed.

Suggestions? Opinions?

 

[Aaron S]

Has it been to an alignment shop?

I could see the I beam bushings doing it or maybe even the radius arm bushings.

Sometimes when the 4wd trucks are having a problem with death wobble it is caused by the trac bar. The I beam bushings serve the same purpose on the 2wd front end.

I think the tires leaning in at the top in reverse is normal. My old bosses 96 4wd bronco on 6 inches of lift did the same thing.

Aaron

 

[6speedsd]

My old 84 Bronco did the same thing. But to this extent seems anything but normal. They really lean in bad. So far the the tire actually seems to roll over underneath it so to speak. I meant to snap a pic earlier but forgot.

May have actually figured out what it was with the shaking though. Started looking at the tires more closely and could tell the drivers side was actually turned in some. Jacked it up and adjusted the tie rod so it was straightish, and drive it the rest of the day without it shaking again. It would get a slight shimmy when you hit a good bump, but it cleared right up. We are still going to change out the ball joints, and then it's going to the alignment shop.