Death Wobble in Front End
09-26-2012, 07:19 PM
#21
Senior Member
Ok, it's been a few months. I got tired of messing with it and rode the motorcycle. So far here is what I have replaced:
-Entire front end braking system (rotors, calipers, pads, hardware, spindle nut...etc)
-Driver's side spindle
-Driver's side rotor (again due to improper machining)
-Lower ball joints
-Tried all the tests for a sticky caliper, and got nothing.
I have rotated all four wheels to all four corners of the truck to determine if there is a bent wheel or screwed up tire, still wobbling. Had an alignment done twice by two different places, still there. Had all four wheels road force balanced (three times by three different places), still there and the techs said my wheels and tires are fine, except a little uneven tread wear due to the alignment.
I have been doing some research on the other forums and I have a few more ideas, tell me what you think?
-Sway bar components (bushings, endlinks... so on)
-Struts (i hope to dear Jesus that's not it)
-The u-joint in the steering column
-Tie rod ends (even though I have been told they are fine)
-Upper ball joints (hopefully not those either)
-I have heard that the 04's had a sticky e-brake problem?
-I have aftermarket wheels on it, but I think it could have something to do with it, but when I swapped them to another 2006 F150, they don't wobble. And no wobble on mine with the factory's on it.
-Driving it off a cliff and claiming insurance.....
Any other ideas would help out a lot. Thanks!!
-Entire front end braking system (rotors, calipers, pads, hardware, spindle nut...etc)
-Driver's side spindle
-Driver's side rotor (again due to improper machining)
-Lower ball joints
-Tried all the tests for a sticky caliper, and got nothing.
I have rotated all four wheels to all four corners of the truck to determine if there is a bent wheel or screwed up tire, still wobbling. Had an alignment done twice by two different places, still there. Had all four wheels road force balanced (three times by three different places), still there and the techs said my wheels and tires are fine, except a little uneven tread wear due to the alignment.
I have been doing some research on the other forums and I have a few more ideas, tell me what you think?
-Sway bar components (bushings, endlinks... so on)
-Struts (i hope to dear Jesus that's not it)
-The u-joint in the steering column
-Tie rod ends (even though I have been told they are fine)
-Upper ball joints (hopefully not those either)
-I have heard that the 04's had a sticky e-brake problem?
-I have aftermarket wheels on it, but I think it could have something to do with it, but when I swapped them to another 2006 F150, they don't wobble. And no wobble on mine with the factory's on it.
-Driving it off a cliff and claiming insurance.....
Any other ideas would help out a lot. Thanks!!
09-27-2012, 09:18 AM
#22
JoshVTook
Thread Starter
I haven't tried that yet. I just recently found another thread talking about it. The only I use the e-brake is when I am about to lift the truck up with a jack.
I did check my rotors the other day and saw that the might need to be replaced. They have a pretty good lip on them. I will probably check that when I replace them. But, since I put some factory wheels and tires on the front, I haven't had a wobble. And my brother, who has the same year truck put my aftermarket wheels on the front of his to see if we could get a wobble, but nothing.
This whole thing is very frustrating. I am tired of throwing money at a problem that wont go away. I have also heard that putting a shim between the wheel and rotor might do the trick, but I wouldn't have a clue where to put it.
Thanks for the tip. I will check the e-brake and see what it looks like. Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I did check my rotors the other day and saw that the might need to be replaced. They have a pretty good lip on them. I will probably check that when I replace them. But, since I put some factory wheels and tires on the front, I haven't had a wobble. And my brother, who has the same year truck put my aftermarket wheels on the front of his to see if we could get a wobble, but nothing.
This whole thing is very frustrating. I am tired of throwing money at a problem that wont go away. I have also heard that putting a shim between the wheel and rotor might do the trick, but I wouldn't have a clue where to put it.
Thanks for the tip. I will check the e-brake and see what it looks like. Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
11-26-2012, 10:18 AM
#25
JoshVTook
Thread Starter
So, after months of headaches, and about $2000, I figured out the problem. When I replaced the front rotors, I never stopped to think that the studs may be longer than the factorys. I found that my lug nuts were bottoming out. They are capped and not the open-ended factory style. So, after all the trouble, all I had to do was stack a couple washers on each stud, on both passenger and driver's sides, and the wobble is gone.
11-26-2012, 12:28 PM
#26
Former Powerstroker
Originally Posted by joshvtook
So, after months of headaches, and about $2000, I figured out the problem. When I replaced the front rotors, I never stopped to think that the studs may be longer than the factorys. I found that my lug nuts were bottoming out. They are capped and not the open-ended factory style. So, after all the trouble, all I had to do was stack a couple washers on each stud, on both passenger and driver's sides, and the wobble is gone.
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joshvtook (11-27-2012)
11-27-2012, 09:49 AM
#27
JoshVTook
Thread Starter
11-27-2012, 11:22 AM
#28
Former Powerstroker
Originally Posted by joshvtook
Oh, I plan on it. I thought about doing wheel spacers, but I think buys longer nuts would probably be cheaper.