I have a 2012 f-250 4x4 with 70K miles on it and I've noticed something is going out in the front end. When I hit bump the truck takes to long to recover or floats where it wants to, kind of squirrelly. I jacked up the front end and didn't notice and bushing or ball joints that were wore or loose. Brought to two different shops and they didn't find anything either. I figured with the amount of these trucks on the road someone has experienced the same problem, hopefully someone on the THF that could tell me what I need to replace.

Replace the steering stabilizer.

2006, 2008, 2010, 2015. All went out between 70-120k

If you spend much time off road don’t get the dual shock mounts, just get a factory or blisten replacement. They are prone to rocks bending them because the hang down so low

I did, replaced with the FOX and didn't change much.

Well on positive note, your steering stabilizer is now good for another 100k. I’m guessing you have changed out all shocks and rotated tires?

Check the tie rod end on the track bar.

I ordered the track bar, it comes with the bushing and ball joint. I guess I'll start throwing parts and money at it until it goes away.

If you want help, PM me.

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I have seen lifts or leveling kits used with the stock shocks which are then too short and can "stick" when extended.

No lift or leveling kit on this one

Hey spg I saw an F250 do just that this past week while we were driving back from SPI. Looked scary looking at it just driving behind that truck. I have heard of the issue with the 2011 F250s and after reading a few Ford forums it seems like replacing shocks and steering dampener may fix your issue. Best of luck.

Im pretty sure the shocks have nothing to do with it considering the coil spring takes 99% of the up and down force. The side to side slack caused from worn bushings or ball joints is what causes the death wobble or front end drift when hitting bumps. However, Ive been wrong before.

Don't jack it up, leave it on the ground (concrete is better). Have a friend get in the truck and turn the steering wheel a little each direction, not much.
Crawl under the front end while they are doing this, look at what is moving and what isn't. If you see steering parts moving and tires are not moving
you should be able to track it down.

Sent you a PM

My moms had the same issue about a year ago. She got a steering stablizer and lots of other work done on it but nothing worked. Hers was still under warranty and Ford eventually just bought the truck back since they couldn’t fix it.

Found some slack in the trac bar bushing, so I'm gonna replace the bushing and the ball joint for the trac bar. Also gonna replace the bushings on the sway bar, should be good for another 70K, field roads are hell on a straight axle front end.

I have been dealing with the clunking underneath and finally saw it was my sway bar bushings, for less than $15 and about 20 minutes she is nice and quiet again, for a truck with 320k on it.

If you haven’t already ordered go ahead and get the good sway bar bushings. They will stiffen the ride up when cornering and last a lot longer.

Polyurethane is the word I was looking for. Get those instead of rubber. They will squeak some when they get dry though.

at 70K, and if you've driven on rough road it's time for a front end rebuild

tie rods, track bar etc …


I think I know the issue with your truck and I am 99% confident

Your steering gearbox needs replacing
it's "floating" because your steering is not engaging

there's a delay between your wheels going right/left and the time
it takes for you to feel it.

Get gearbox from FORD.... O Reillys and such don't last as long (should but they don't for me )

You're looking at $350 and some steering fluid

Your "floating" problems will go away or your money back

Changed the bushing and ball joint on the trac bar...…..what a PIA. Ordered sway bar bushing and cab bushing which look to be the culprit for the popping in the floor board when turning and hitting a hole at the same time.

Is the death wobble gone?

Yes, never really went in to death wobble but it was taking longer to recover than normal when hitting bumps. Found the cab bushings on the front totally destroyed, very little rubber left on the bottom side of the cab bushings.

Just replaced all of mine. It was my back ones that were trashed.

When a Ford truck begins to hunt like a snoop dog it is time to change the steering gear box.