95 lifted F150...shaking violently

[DNN]

This problem only occurred twice before and with a good amount of time between them. and then all of a sudden one day it shook so violently 12 times every 1/4 - 1/2 mile or so. WHATS WRONG!!! i was doing probalbly about 30-35mph. the truck does need an alignment it has needed one for a while but i never thought it would cause this? i havent fixed it yet or driven the truck since...any idea of what it could be i was going to get the alignment fixed once i found out what the real issue was....oh it has a 9 inch lift, on 35's and push button 4x4 with lock in hubs... (

By the way im a girl...and i have no idea in the world what it could be any help would be awsome!

[semocoachworks]

The radius arm brackets are more than likely loose. The fords that have the radius arm suspension are notorious for the shaking when the axle drop down brackets or radius arms get loose. Also, you should have a good steering stabilizer on it too. Hope this helps!

[semocoachworks]

BTW, the radius arm brackets are on the frame under the floorboards and the axle drop down brackets are on the crossmember under the engine.

[Lonesome7.3]

I was going to suggest you go under and tighten every bolt pertaining to those lift brackets. That is at least a good start. Who made the lift under your truck and which lift system is it? Is it all suspension lift or do you have a body lift as well? Some companies use drop brackets which require you to bolt yout stock brackest to them. other sell new lift brackets with the kit. Either way, making sure all the bolts are tight and the bushing are not worn would be the fist steps I would take.

[cburcham73]

you have just expierenced the famous ford D.W. Death Wobble... mine did the same everytime i would hit a bump at just the right spot. my drop {aligment}brackets had 2 broken bolts. make sure ALL those bolts are tight. being 9 inches higher wont help either.

[DNN]

Thanks guys, that really does help. i brought it to a garage yesterday and said exactly that, the death wobble. its scary in my truck because the suspension is sooooo stiff you feel every tiny little bump i the road. its missing the stablizer it needs to prevent that he said. its lifted both ways. im not sure what kit was used i bought the truck like it is.

[DNN]

Welll...brought my truck to the garage and its not in good shape. apparently the fron end is all bronco parts, and things that shouldnt be moving..are, and things that are moving...shouldnt, and says one side there are bolts on top of bolts and 5 washers on another says the truck should never have passed inspection, oh and said that when he moves the wheel on one side its like comming off of the shassis....my friend says he has no idea what hes talking about. and says theyre the same anyway..any thoughts on how the heck this can be??? worst of all said he may not be able to find the parts and it'll cost a grand if he can find the parts which is half of what i bought the truck for...i hope its worth it...far as im concered its a good truck but never thought this could happen!!

[semocoachworks]

What parts are bronco parts? These trucks had the same front ends as the bronco and that really shouldn't make a difference. How does this guy know they are bronco parts? If they are bronco parts, why does it matter? I would ask him these questions and then get a second opinion from a reputable off road shop. Sounds like someone is trying to gouge you. It's as simple as this, these front end set-ups did this death wobble and you have to keep the brackets tight and have a good stabilizer, keep tire pressures right, and keep the front end in alignment. If worse comes to worse, order new axle drop down brackets and radius arm brackets due to possible wallering out of the bolt holes and have them replaced along with a good front-end alignment, stabilizer, and make sure tie-rod ends, ball joints etc are good. Don't let this guy gouge you without a second opinion.

[DNN]

i went there and asked him to show me what he meant. he told me these bronco swaps were common because they were stronger axles than the f150's came with. and then showed me where i think its the tie rod ends or something, well whoever did the swap did not have the correct size pin and it was too small, they had on one side 5 washers stacked on one another, and on the other side had 2 bolts on top of one another, so they truck when it was turning wasnt turning properly, so the whole where the pin is is warped and shaped like an egg. but it also does need the stablizer that wasnt put on it. said hes got some guys checking for the right parts used so it wont cost me so much.

[semocoachworks]

I looked up some parts, including axles, for a 95 f-150 and a 95 bronco and they are exactly the same. I can believe you have wallered holes if the right size bolt/pin/etc was not used but I don't believe this bronco swap deal. I would go elsewhere for a second opinion. What "pin" was he talking about? What exact parts is he looking to replace? Look on autozone.com and compare the following parts....Pinion bearing-u-joint-differential bearing-seal kit-drive shaft. You will see all this is the same for the bronco and the f-150 in 1995. I don't see where the "bronco swap" would make a difference, I would definately get a second opinion. Keep us informed.