2008 Ford F-250: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Steering · 120,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on a bridge, the vehicle drove over potholes and the vehicle experienced the death wobble, causing the steering wheel to shake uncontrollably. The contact firmly gripped the steering wheel and decelerated to 30 MPH to prevent the vehicle from shaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that several independent mechanics had previously replaced the tires, control arms, shocks, struts, steering damper, and pitman arm, as well as performed an alignment; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2021 · Steering · VA

I just purchased this beautiful f 250 truck 2008, from the automotive company in chantilly, virginia. I went out on the road and immediately discovered the truck had a major steering problem. It is described as I cannot keep it in the lane I am traveling in because of steering wobble and playing the steering and wanders into incoming traffic. I also checked up underneath and there were loose tie rod brackets and other components that I do not know the names of. It's a real shame when the salesman you purchased it from when I texted this to him will not call or text back, very deceitful.

Filed Apr 6, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · 48,048 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-250. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle started shaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to spitzer ford (543 w maple st, hartville, oh 44632) and informed that the track bar, ball joints, tie rod joints and possible steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer also informed the contact that he would be notified in the event there was a recall associated with the VIN for the failure experienced. It was suggested that an extra heavy duty steering damper be installed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 48,048.

Filed Mar 7, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 150,000 miles · CT

At 65mph+- on the highway, the truck can become difficult to control / steer straight.and maintain position in lane. Have spent $6,000.00 +- with ford dealership and also an independent mechanic but they are not able to correct the problem. Ford replaced the steering box twice, new shocks, new tires, new tie rod ends, alignment, tire balancing and other new parts associated with the suspension and steering...and the problem still persists. I have been the sole owner of this truck and bought new in 2009.

Filed Feb 15, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 245,000 miles · CA

My vehicle has a death wobble when hitting a bump at freeway speeds. I received a notice from ford that this is an issue with these vehicles; special field action 09l02 dated january 2018. I wasn't aware that this was a common problem, but recently talked with someone who owns the same vehicle and he happened to ask if I had the same experience. Upon receiving the notice and recalling that conversation I thought I should file a formal complaint. In particular at highway speeds, a slight bump in the road can cause the vehicle to rattle and shake in a manner that makes the vehicle uncontrollable until you come to a virtual stop. I have had almost a dozen occurrences. My mechanic checked the vehicle and alignment and steering issues, tie rods and ball joint etc. Then after it happened again sent me to the tire shop. The tire shop checked the tires and sent me back to the mechanic. The mechanic checked the vehicle again, replaced some warn parts in the steering column (I believe it was a bushing somewhere, but can confirm if needed, I have records somewhere). That decreased the frequency, but I still have experienced it twice since then. It seems intermittent, and frankly almost random as I can not always recreate the conditions that cause the problem. I can travel along the same route, same speed, and not always experience the loss of control I call a death wobble. When it does happen, as described in the sfa you have to let off the gas, apply the brakes and hold the wheel straight. It's a serious safety issue, and scared the hell out of my father and daughter when they experienced it with me on a freeway overpass that curved and I had to brake hard and couldn't steer.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 125,000 miles · TX · crash

On my daily commute to work I experienced what I have later researched to find out is called the "death wobble". The first occurrence happened while maintaining a speed of approximately 55 MPH which was the suggested road speed limit, after riding over a small bump in the road my front left end initiated into a violent shaking sensation that felt as though I had just blown a tire. After reducing my speed abruptly and nearly being rear ended the front end regained its control and I continued and arrived safely to work after reducing my speed to 45 MPH. I looked in the wheel hub and underneath but did not see anything out of the ordinary from plane sight. I experienced the violent shaking on multiple occasions, different locations and found myself experiencing it more and more at lower speeds and on smaller road bumps/pot holes. After day 2 I scheduled an appointment for 6/30/14 with ford service to have the repair & diagnoses. The next day 6/27/14 we had to evacuate our job site in louisiana due to extreme weather conditions and possible tornados, on my commute home, the so called death wobble occurred again and this time resulted in loosing control and crashing into a small tree because of the violent shaking and necessary braking to regain control. I was able to escape with minor damages to my front bumper. Ford is having to replace my ball joints, bearings and tie bar that will cost well over $600 in repairs excluding a new front bumper that I cannot afford to fix. I'm afraid this could result in a serious injury/fatality if not recalled and fixed. Had I gone into incoming traffic it could have been my life or theirs and I would think ford would be fully responsible. There are hundreds of similar cases from older models and even newer up to 2013, mine is a f-250 2008. Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/ford-f-250-super-duty/tohp1m75vbfbft9il/p5.

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Steering · 250,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering assist failed and the contact was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection where they stated that the tie rod, rack and pinion and the gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000. The VIN was unavailable.