F 350 4WD Pickup V8-7.3L DSL (1988)
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Check bolt and nut torques to be sure they are tightened to the specified torque specifications.
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Check the front end alignment. Look for excessively worn tires and out of balance wheel and tire assemblies.
Shimmy should not be confused with steering wheel nibble and vibration concerns.
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Steering wheel nibble is a condition resulting from the tire interaction with various road surfaces. It is observed by the driver as small amplitude,
rotational oscillations of the steering wheel.
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Various suspension/steering vibrations are sometimes confused as shimmy. They appear as steering column shake and wheel/tire imbalance. They
induce a vertical motion in the steering wheel/column.
Refer to the appropriate model year Light Truck Shop Manual, Sections 18-01, 11-01 and 12-01 for NVH conditions other than shimmy.
Steering Linkage Inspection:
1.
With the weight on the front wheels, check the linkage joints while someone else turns the steering wheel from side to side.
Figure 1
a.
For rubber ball socket (RBS) joints, see if the ball stud makes contact with the window opening in the socket bowl while on the truck, Figure
1. If contact is made with the window opening, replace it with a greaseable steel joint.
b.
For steel (greaseable) joints, measure the lateral (side to side) lash in the joint, Figure
1.
If the lash exceeds .060" (1.59 mm), replace the joint.
2.
With the truck on a hoist, check the steel (greaseable) joints for vertical (up and down) end play by pushing and pulling on the joint,
Figure 1. If the end play exceeds .090" (2.38 mm), replace the joint.
