2017 Ford F-350 SD: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · OH

I’ve been having repeated issue with a death wobble I’ve replaced my draglink and tie rod end and it hasn’t helped in the slightest

Filed May 23, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · OH

At differing speeds the truck experienced the "death wobble" causing the front end of the vehicle to shake uncontrollably. This happened 2 times before I had the tie rod ends replaced and several times afterward. You have to almost stop the vehicle to get the shaking to go away. It is a tremendous safety risk and could cause an accident due to the shaking or due to needing to slow almost to a stop - which could cause a rear end collision. This is a common problem with Ford F250 and F350 trucks. I had my mechanic inspect all the front end parts and he recommended replacing the tie rods and track bar. No warning lamps or other symptoms. The issue happened out of the blue.

Filed Aug 12, 2023 · Steering, Transmission · PA

Truck started doing the death wobble when hitting brakes and sometimes when hitting bumps in the road. Death wobble was very violent and last for a few seconds each time before we could get vehicle stopped. I made my local ford dealer aware of my problem and they inspected it and said it was related to the drive shaft recall. I made the earliesr appointment which was a couple weeks later. I dropped my vehicle off and they said that due to this recall malfunction it had caused damage to my tie rods and drag lengths and those parts needed to be replaced. They said their damage was directly correlated to the drive shaft recall however I would have to pay out of pocket for that to be fixed ($1400). They have had my vehicle for a week and fixed the tire rods and drag lengths but do not have the part for the drive shaft recall. They have no time line for when they will be able to get the part and told me I may come get my vehicle and use it while I wait for the part but I have to sign a waiver stating that it's dangerous to drive. They refuse to give me a loaner vehicle if I would opt to leave my vehicle there while we wait for the part. I'm currently trapped in Texas with 2 horses and can't get back home to Pennsylvania because my vehicle is unsafe to haul the horses back 26 hours.

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · NH

Sunday, April 3, 2021, I was driving from Rte 95 to Rte 128 and the 2 lanes began to merge, but as I was driving the truck hit a bump and I got the death wobble. I had to come to, almost, a complete stop on the highway, with another car coming in behind me. I got through this one, but as I was beginning to accelerate onto Rte 128, the truck began once again to shake violently. It did happen again during this one trip. This also happened 2 other times, in March. Our mechanic replaced tie rod end-right lower outer and steering stabilizer on, Thursday, March 31, 2021.

Filed Feb 5, 2022 · Steering · SD

I experienced a “Death Wobble” several times .Ford freelanced my ball joint on right side. When the issue began again Ford replaced my stabilizer bar. It happened again so I replaced both steer tires. Occasionally I still get a wobbly when I hit a rough spot in the road way.

Filed Jan 19, 2022 · Suspension · WA

I experienced a violent shaking that happened to the front end of my 2017 Ford F350 Super Duty truck (with 25600 miles on the odometer). It typically occurs at speeds over 50 miles per hour. It's also happened after going over bumps or grooves in the road. I brought my truck into a local repair shop because an appointment with my local dealer wasn't available until Mar 16th (60 days). The repair shop shared with me that they noticed abnormal wear and loosening of the track bar bushing, damper bracket, ball joints, control arms, shocks and struts. Additional they shared its not safe to drive the vehicle in it's current state. Ford has yet to issued a recall for this hazardous defect. Lastly because they haven't admitted to the underlying issue, OEM parts are my only option. This leads to me spending thousands of dollars with no resolution. I very well could be driving a ticking time bomb again.

Filed May 20, 2021 · Steering · OH

Experiencing horrible death wobble. If I hit a road expansion joint, pot hole, etc. in a certain manner at typical highway speeds typically 55 to 70, the front end starts shaking horribly. The only way to regain control is by firmly pressing the breaks to immediately reduce the speed. This started when the vehicle had 26,000 miles on it and the dealer replaced the ball joints under warranty. This vehicle is only driven on the road. That fixed the problem until the vehicle reached around 50,000 miles now. It is dangerous either from the loss of control or having to slam on the breaks to regain control.

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 49,000 miles · MN

Starting almost immediately after a used purchase of the vehicle at 48,000 miles and 3 years old, a intense front axle oscillation was intermittently noticed at speeds between 45 and 75mph, often the issue would happen while driving straight directly after driving over bumps in the roadway or bridge expansion joints. After having the ford dealership look at the vehicle 4 separate times to try and figure out the root cause of the problem, the issue still has not been solved. So far the fixes tried by the dealer have been balancing the tires, installing new steering dampener, new tie rod ends, new drag link and two separate alignments.

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Suspension · 8,000 miles · VA

At approximately 8000 miles on the truck going down the interstate at 65mph towing an enclosed 20ft trailer I hit a bump in the road and the steering wheel began to shake violently. I had to get hard on the brakes to bring it back under control. I took the truck to the dealership, they were helpful and understanding. They replaced the steering stabilizer and checked the alignment. At 14000 miles same thing happened again except I didn't have a trailer in tow. Dealership replaced steering stabilizer with a newer model part per ford recommendation. Most recently at 27000 miles it happened again while towing. Dealership replace control arm bushings and track bar. The truck still feels sloppy in the steering and I have no trust in it. I plan on selling the vehicle as I'm actually scared to drive it. It should be noted that in every instance the dealer was able to duplicate the condition with no trailer attached.

Filed Jan 22, 2020 · Suspension · 26,500 miles · NH

I was driving on I-91 last week at 70 MPH. I went over a rough expansion joint and the vehicle went into a full blown death wobble. It carried on for several seconds while I was able to slow down until 45mph where the vehicle returned to normal. During the death wobble the steering wheel oscillated violently and the truck vibrated rapidly. I was able to get it under control and pulled over to the side of the road where I did a walk about expecting to see a blown tire but there was nothing. I decided to drive home at 55mph where I had no problems. I took the truck to my mechanic the next day where they said the drag link and passenger tie rod had play and should be replaced. I knew the truck was under warranty still so I took it to the local ford dealer where they said the tie rod and drag link was in a safe operating tolerance and the steering stabilizer needed to be replaced. However it is on back order. They then said once they fixed the steering stabilizer they would then check the tie rod and drag links again and if there was play in the steering wheel ford would then replace those free of cost. All of this happened with my kids and the car. We are going on vacation at the end of april and I am concerened about this happening again even with parts being replaced.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 55,000 miles · TX

Driving down highway around 75 MPH and ran over a rough patch in road and my steering wheel started shaking violently. Whole truck shook. Slowed down to 60 and it stopped. Pulled over to inspect under front end and rear. Couldn't find anything out of place. Got back on h.w. And got back up to 75 and no shaking. Hit another spot on a bridge where pavement connects bridge and it happened again. Took to dealership and they told me it that I needed new tires. Which I did. Replaced with factory michelins. They also put a new steering damper on. Got truck back several days later and while driving under 60 there are no problems. Above 60 the steering starts shaking a bit, but not like the death wobble. At 75 MPH it is the same, along with what seems to be a rear end vibration. Called dealership and they said a part was on back order and would call. Haven't heard back in months. So, I called and they said the part is on back order. Having to borrow a car from mother in law to get around. I purchased a warranty that will expire at 60,000 and was told that if I go over, it will still be under the original claim and I would not have to pay the $75 deductible. I will get that in writing hopefully this week. With these vibrations, it know it will wear out other front end parts like ball joints and tie rods that hopefully will be replaced at no cost. Doubtful! This is my 4th ford truck and have not had any of these problems with other trucks. I have only 57,000 miles and this should be a recall and ford is running from it. Very disappointed. Please help!

Filed Nov 6, 2019 · Suspension · 15,000 miles · AZ

I started to hear a clunking in the front end of my 2017 f350 when going over bumps (low speed and high speed). I took it in to the dealer and the said I had excessive play in my tie rod ends, so they replaced them along with a lower control arm. About a week later, I started hearing the noise again and when I would go over bumps in the road, even at low speed, the truck would want to wander. I took it in a second time and they found the anti sway bar had excessive play, so they replaced that. I asked why a new 1 ton truck would already need front suspension components replaced and they said they didn't know. The truck did drive better for awhile, but shortly after I started hearing the noise again. I had to get the oil change, so I asked them to check on it while it was in there. They said they did the oil change but couldn't check the noise complaint because they didn't have time. They did however do another 42 point inspection and said everything was ok. I brought it in about a week later because the noise was still there. They told me that they couldn't replicate the problem, but the tech said it could be coming from the rear leaf pack because, "sometimes the trucks come from the factory with the rear leaf springs lubricated and they aren't supposed to be", so he sprayed degreaser on them and they couldn't hear any noise anymore. I asked why the factory would do that, and again, they had no answer. I drove it with the service manager (around the corner) and of course it didn't make the noise. I took it home hoping the problem was solved, but I soon realized that the truck still makes the clunking noise when going over bumps, even backing in my driveway and it still wanders, even pulling into one direction when I go over bumps/transitions on the road/highway at low and higher speeds. I have made a complaint to ford and will be contacting a lemon law attorney.