2011 QX56 - has death wobble when you hit bumpy roads

[heathtrost14]

I can't seem to find anybody having this issue but in my 2011 QX56 with 200K miles on it, when you hit big bumps you get the death wobble which F150 trucks have.. where the steering wheel shakes real bad for a few seconds... and can be constant if the road is really bumpy.

thoughts on what is wore out? Bushings? Tire Rod?

 

[marctronixx]

i'm sure a discontinued year model car with that high a mileage is bound to have some issues with suspension, so you are not alone. i've never had a ford so i don't know what the "death wobble" is, but around these parts i've heard similar called "bump steer" so maybe do a search with that.

so were you the only owner of this car or just the latest owner? if you purchased it used, do you have any maintenance records on it (to determine what kind of life it had prior to you)? if it's "new to you", how long have you had it and did this happen on day one of getting the car?

do you have HBMC onboard?

in addition to what you listed, it could be the air bags for the leveling in back, and/or shocks could be in need of replacement.

 

[heathtrost14]

I have had the car for 4-5 years, it doesn't have air shocks and the car is level. It has been good for the first 4+ years and just started. Planning to take it tomorrow to a car mechanic to see, and will report back.

Tires are not that old, I just had it aligned a while back... so just feels like suspension or bushings.

 

[marctronixx]

if you have the tow package you have the air shocks/suspension in the rear.

do you have HBMC?

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[heathtrost14]

No I do not have HBMC

 

[frevpa]

Hi Heathtrost14, Marctronixx is on to something I had the dead wobble before and it was caused by the bad suspension. They need to change and the new ones need to be calibrated otherwise it will ride rough.

 

[heathtrost14]

Hi Heathtrost14, Marctronixx is on to something I had the dead wobble before and it was caused by the bad suspension. They need to change and the new ones need to be calibrated otherwise it will ride rough.

I have lifetime alignment with firestone so I took it to them, they were not 100% but recommended on changing my 2 front struts... total cost around $1100 for both. I didn't get it done, I am planning to get a 2nd opinion as they were not sure it would fix the issue.

thoughts on this?

 

[Jim Finesse]

I have lifetime alignment with firestone so I took it to them, they were not 100% but recommended on changing my 2 front struts... total cost around $1100 for both. I didn't get it done, I am planning to get a 2nd opinion as they were not sure it would fix the issue.

thoughts on this?

If there’s no unusual strain on the springs from lifting, then the struts can no longer react, and the wobble ensues with little bumps in the road. Changing the struts will be a good bet.

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