Ford front end shimmy

[Jim & Mary]

I'm experiencing the front end shimmy I've read about on here, but tried a search on both forums, no results. Anyone on here help resurrect the topic? Seems to happen by hitting a bump while going faster than 35 or so.

[travelin' texans]

F O R D!!! Sorry couldn't resist!

[xtasee]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

F O R D!!! Sorry couldn't resist!

You have to know that was coming

[Shane Wood]

Jim
I know Vaughn was talking about it on a thread or maybe it was his truck

[Char & Steve]

Usually if it's minor it can be solved by replacing with a much better off road steering stabilizer or if you don't have one you will want to add one.

Steve

[Foxfire]

Ok yes ford. My 2014 F350 did it after I hit a rough patch of road at over 50 mph. To make it stop I had to slow down to less than 30 mph. Ford said change the steering damper, it got a little better. Then a wheel alignment and it got a little better still. With 85000 miles on the truck I’m thinking that’s the best it’s gonna get.


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[Jim & Mary]

Well, I've had the truck since new, and it has 46K on it. We just put almost 10K on it this summer, rally, Texas, and home and never noticed it once. Since we've been home, driving it without towing, it's happened 3 times. The front tires look uneven in their wear pattern, so will probably try to replace them and get the front end aligned. 46K on factory tires is probably about normal, but the four rears still look like they've got many more miles left on them.

[spindrift]

Can't imagine tie rods gone at 46K, but....
Could be warped rotors as well.

[johnboytoo]

Could be:
loose steering components,
bad tires, which could be caused by bad shocks, search for cupping,
or lack of rotation...

had it on a Jeep 5.9 limited a while back and rotated the tires to help for a bit, and put new shocks on it..
went to Discount tire and they 'shaved' the bad tires to give me more miles out of the tires until replacement...
good luck

[atom ant]

Jim, I never experienced the problem, but only had 11,000 miles on mine, however I did receive a technical bulletin on that issue. If I can find it I'll post it.

[piper guy]

Jim ~ common on Fords, Rams, and any truck or SUV (Jeeps too) with a straight front axle.
Two things you need to look at - first, take the stock steering stabilizer off and throw it as far as you can. Replace with a Bilstein 5100 series one. Also, while the shop is doing the alignment, have them take a good look at the strut rod bushings that locate the axle. I doubt if yours are bad, usually takes 80-100k before replacing them but take a look.


My hunch is the steering stabilizer and new sneakers will cure it.

[Foxfire]

Originally Posted by Foxfire

Ok yes ford. My 2014 F350 did it after I hit a rough patch of road at over 50 mph. To make it stop I had to slow down to less than 30 mph. Ford said change the steering damper, it got a little better. Then a wheel alignment and it got a little better still. With 85000 miles on the truck I’m thinking that’s the best it’s gonna get.


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I also did all 4 shocks when we did the steering damper


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[Jim & Mary]

Vaughan

Didn't you have a thread on replacement tire brands? If I remember right you put different front tires (brand) from the rear tires...... The OEM tires are BF Goodrich rugged trail...........they always looked like the tread was too aggressive for pavement driving. But what do I know.

[piper guy]

Jim ~ yes, I run two different brands. A Dually rally needs to be treated like a semi - drive and steer tires. The only rotating you can realistically do is the front ones side to side. if you do a full 6 tire rotation and go through braking down the rears then you have miss-matched tires on the duals - not good.


My truck came stock with the General Grabbers. Got 46,000 miles out of the first set, almost half towing. The local Ford dealer actually gave me the best price on replacement tires. I decided to go to the Generals on the front and Firestone TransForce HT on the drive axle. So far I'm very happy. Have about 35k on the tires and all are wearing well and the ride is good.


I've never been a Firestone fan but the reviews on these are all pretty good and the price was right. One thing I will mention is that they take a couple thousand miles to "break in " ride is a little stiffer till they flex and loosen up a bit. With the combination of these and the Sulastic spring hangers the truck rides almost as good as my buddie's F150 when it's unloaded. Doesn't bounce you out of the seat on tar strips !!

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Jim ~ yes, I run two different brands. A Dually rally needs to be treated like a semi - drive and steer tires. The only rotating you can realistically do is the front ones side to side. if you do a full 6 tire rotation and go through braking down the rears then you have miss-matched tires on the duals - not good.


My truck came stock with the General Grabbers. Got 46,000 miles out of the first set, almost half towing. The local Ford dealer actually gave me the best price on replacement tires. I decided to go to the Generals on the front and Firestone TransForce HT on the drive axle. So far I'm very happy. Have about 35k on the tires and all are wearing well and the ride is good.


I've never been a Firestone fan but the reviews on these are all pretty good and the price was right. One thing I will mention is that they take a couple thousand miles to "break in " ride is a little stiffer till they flex and loosen up a bit. With the combination of these and the Sulastic spring hangers the truck rides almost as good as my buddie's F150 when it's unloaded. Doesn't bounce you out of the seat on tar strips !!

I’ve got the Firestone’s and they’re alright but I don’t really like them. I’m going to look at the Toyo tires next time because I’ve heard several people swear by them.

As for the shimmy.......yes I had that damn shimmy on the Beast. I followed what Vaughn said and put the steering stabilizer on it. This solved the problem.

[markw]

I've been very happy with my Firestone HT's. I'm on my second set.

Mark

[Rdelling]

Bad shock or shocks!

[Donhutch1800]

I would replace all the shocks and steering stabilizer with bilsteins.My Rancho shocks were bad with 35,000 miles on them.I would also put a cpl new skins on the front and that should take care of it.The Rancho branded shocks that come from the factory aren't worth a crap.

[r time soon]

See attached Field Action bulletin from Ford. I received a similar one this past January for my 2008 F250. Ideas for corrections, but not a recall either. I would agree on the tie rod ends and steering stabilizer being replaced would help.


Chris and Maria
2012 36RL