2005 Ford F-250 SD: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 25, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 111,000 miles · MA

I was driving down a main st, going about 35 MPH...when I hit a bump the truck would shake violently and the steering wheel was also shaking violently , I had it diagnosed as the drag link ball joint and an upper ball joint both on the passenger side front...I got a letter in the mail from ford just yesterday about the shimmy/shaking issue, the letter states that it is due to tire pressure in which I believe to be very wrong!!

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Steering, Wheels · 50,000 miles · IL

1) @50,000 miles, normal city driving, speed less than 30 MPH. 2) left tierod broke without warning. The tie rod dropped to the ground and the left front wheel no longer had steering control. The tie rod looks like the castellated nut was over torqued causing the stud to break off and the tapered shaft to fall out of the spindle. This is not a case of the ball joint in the tie rod wearing out. I'm lucky in this case it happened at a slow speed and no trailer in tow. If I was moving faster with a trailer, it could have been a disaster to lose steering control of the left front tire. The right side tire was still able to steer. The truck swerved out of the lane momentarily while I regained some control. In the act of dropping down, the tie rod made contact with the bead area of the front rim. As a result the wheel rim was also ruined. It was interesting that the tow truck driver and the service manager both mentioned that they have seen this kind of problem before. 3) the truck was flatbedded to the dealership for repair. The tie rod end was replaced at my expense for ~$750, not including the damaged wheel. I have the old part and can supply pictures if needed.

Filed Jul 19, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 25,000 miles · CA

Ford sd f250 4wd - like others, severe shimmy, especially on expansion joints on freeways. Can and does spook the driver. Scary moments. Dealer checked, and said steer stabilizer should be replaced?? At 61,000 k - no way. Others are saying same thing, including ball joints being worn out???

Filed Jun 9, 2008 · Suspension · 39,000 miles · FL

2005 ford f250 4x4, 4 door, auto, 5.4l gas, approx. 39k mi. Traveling at interstate highway speed, in a sweeping left hand curve, crossing rough pavement, a severe steering wheel shake and front wheel shimmy commenced, causing loss of steering control, involuntary rapid lane change and near accident. I slowed to 25 MPH in order to regain control of the truck. Living in fl and working in sc at the time, I was forced to deal with different ford dealers in the columbia, sc and bartow, fl areas. On the advice of various ford service departments, I replaced tires, wheels, ball joints, shocks (twice), steering stabilizer, had multiple alignments and wheel balances performed. As I was stranded out-of-town with a truck that was handling progressively worse, I spent approximately $4,500 in parts replacements before the problem was remedied. Three ford dealerships acknowledged that a serious problem existed and that the vehicle was in warranty. Ford customer relationship center personnel, 800‑392‑3673, employed blatant stalling tactics until my odometer had passed 40,000 miles, then refused to render any assistance. More than one year later, I am waiting for a call from a regional ford service manager, supposedly arranged through a columbia, sc ford dealer. I have received high speed driving instruction at two different police academy courses. I have driven dozens of different vehicles at very high speeds over hundreds of thousands of miles. I know a dangerous vehicle defect when I see one. This ford suspension problem presents a life threatening condition that is well known by ford. Not only has ford not recalled these vehicles, their service personnel are engaging in a campaign of denial and deception.

Filed Mar 26, 2008 · Suspension · 19,000 miles · DE

2005 f-250 has dangerous shake in front end of vehicle, to the point of loosing control of vehicle on highway. Truck bounced over four lanes of highway before gaining control of it. Speed was about 55-60mph. It was early in the morning and there wasn't much traffic on the road. If it had been in the afternoon, there would have been a crash and possible fatalities. I took truck to dealer, tech stated they knew about the problem but didn't know how to fix it, and they weren't going to do a recall because it's not a very public problem, so they threw some shims on it and some other stuff. Truck still has a considerable shake to the front end. We recently took the truck to a 'non' ford mechanic. Three tie rods are bad and the stabilizer shocks are bad. He stated this is because the front end is shaking so bad it is wearing out the rods/shocks. The truck is only three years old and this should not be happening. The dealer stated they knew about the problem. Why is nothing being done to fix this issue?

Filed Dec 3, 2007 · Suspension · 50,364 miles · VA

1. Annual virginia state safety inspection. 2. Front ball joints failed inspection, 2005 ford f-250 4x2 super duty pick up with 50,000 miles. 3. Ball joints replaced.

Filed Jul 9, 2007 · Suspension, Tires · 5,000 miles · ME

The vehicle shook violently after hitting potholes or bridge expansion joints at high speeds - must stop or slow way down to correct. Ford has checked the first time steering damper . Second time changed tire pressure. Third time replaced upper and lower ball joints, and replaced tires.