F350 front end shake

[gutsnthegrass]

I have a 2012 F-350 that has 90,000 miles.  I drove over to Idaho last weekend and noticed my front end shaking pretty bad on the stretch of road between Othello and Washtucna.  It was bad enough I had to ride on the fog line and center of the lane to get a somewhat smooth ride.  I just replaced my shocks last fall so they should be ok.  Any other suggestions on what it could be?  All ball joints and tie rods are still factory.  I do have a level kit if that makes a difference.  I make that drive several times a year and this is the first time I've had this happen, so something has to be loose or worn.

[Skillet]

My first thought was "ball joints." 90k miles is a little early for them, but you're close to replacement time. To check, jack up the front end and see if you have any play.  The uppers on my F250 went away at 125k. 

[Woodchuck]

Ball joints are very popular on those. Have you had an alignment lately?

[gutsnthegrass]

Ball joints are very popular on those. Have you had an alignment lately?

No, I haven't.  The steering seems to track straight and my tire wear is pretty even.  Something to consider for sure.

[Woodchuck]

Ball joints are very popular on those. Have you had an alignment lately?

No, I haven't.  The steering seems to track straight and my tire wear is pretty even.  Something to consider for sure.

I would suggest getting a front end inspection done before alignment. Steering and suspension components get popular at that mileage. If any of it does need replaced you will need an alignment after. Can you jack up the front end and spin the front wheels? Look for any bulges or irregularities in the tread as it spins. Does it do it at low speed or just highway?

[2MANY]

Cheap leveling kits without the rest of the components that should be replaced come to mind.

Good luck with your wobble.

[gutsnthegrass]

Yes, I was going to put it up on jackstands tonight and check for play also.  It only does it at highway speeds on rough road.

[gutsnthegrass]

Cheap leveling kits without the rest of the components that should be replaced come to mind.

Good luck with your wobble.

I have had the level kit for 40,000 miles with no issues. 

[Woodchuck]

Yes, I was going to put it up on jackstands tonight and check for play also.  It only does it at highway speeds on rough road.

My non politically motivated SWAG is that it has either pitched a wheel weight or you have a tread separation starting. Look for clean spots on the rims where a weight may have been. 

[ne kid]

I have an older F350 that shakes really bad on a section of road feels like the only time I'm on the road is when I cross it. All new front end come to find out for me it was the tires just don't like the ruts in that part of the road. Strangest thing I've ever seen.

[Huntin4Ever]

I have a 2014 F350, same thing happened to me at highway speeds, the shake was pretty severe. Ended up being the panhard / track bar.

[CP]

Could be the tires.

[jackelope]

Ball joints
Tie rods
Trac bar/trac bar ball joint*
Steering dampener
Tires

Any or all of the above.

[jackelope]

My first thought was "ball joints." 90k miles is a little early for them, but you're close to replacement time. To check, jack up the front end and see if you have any play.  The uppers on my F250 went away at 125k. 

90k isn't early on these. I mean...it may seem like it should be early, but it's not early in terms of commonality.

[LDennis24]

Yes, I was going to put it up on jackstands tonight and check for play also.  It only does it at highway speeds on rough road.

My non politically motivated SWAG is that it has either pitched a wheel weight or you have a tread separation starting. Look for clean spots on the rims where a weight may have been. 

 

I didn't read the rest of folks posts but this can definitely do what your describing. Go have the tires rebalanced. Do you have those stupid beads for balancing... If so toss'em and go get weights put on. If you use the beads and accelerate too quickly the beads get stuck by inertia and stay in one spot in the tire. They suck...