Death Wobble -> steering assist error during flat tow

[keef033]

I'm remembering back to my 2013 C-Max that had a steering failure. I remember that one of the EPAS failure causes was an 'over-extension" of the steering unit. So it is logical that if the Maverick's wheels are turned fully in the opposite direction of travel, that sort of force/stress would be there.

As I noted before, I had to "wiggle" my RV and Maverick into a fuel location and as I started out to leave in a left turn, I saw (in the mirror) that the Maverick's wheels were PAST center, trying to start out turning right as a continuation of the "wiggle" I had done that pushed the front of the Maverick into the start of a right turn. I was watching closely due to the difficulty of getting in and out. After a few inches, I saw it slowly come back to center and then left as it should have. Normally, I just try to make a wide left arc and then the wheels are always slightly to the left of center. This thread points out the danger of my maneuvers to get to the pump at that station.

Hello

I get that.

But in my case, I was going straight, slowed down to let a car go by, did a gentle left turn onto an on-ramp, and about 80yds down the ramp the death wobble happened. I felt it immediately and pulled onto the shoulder and stopped. Looked at the front wheels on the Maverick. At that stage they were pointing straight. I slowly pulled forward and it tracked just as it should have. However and unfortunately, the damage was already done.

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[Bert Rooster]

My scenario is almost identical. Stopped at the end of an exit ramp, made a normal left hand turn onto a road and the Maverick started shaking my coach. I looked in my rearview camera and could see it dancing back and forth so stopped and started up again and it was okay. We went ahead and fueled the MH and I checked the Maverick and didn't find anything obvious. Only when at my destination did I encounter the Steering Assist Fault message.

Just to make this whole thing better, I just got notification from the dealership that the new part they installed didn't work so the have ordered another steering column assembly. They expect the part to arrive tomorrow (Fri) and will have it installed by end of the day. What a train wreck this has turned out to be.

 

[Headbanger]

Absolutely NO on leaving it in ACC mode. About 5400 miles of flat-towing my 2023 Lariat Hybrid. No trouble. Leaving it in ACC will give you problems.

Thanks. Wasn’t sure how the brakes would work with no power to them.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thanks. Wasn’t sure how the brakes would work with no power to them.

 

[Twinboat]

Power brakes are active all of the time, key on or off.

 

[Headbanger]

Power brakes are active all of the time, key on or off.

Thank you, that's the answer I was looking for. I wasn't aware of that as most vehicles lose their vaccuum pressure when the power is off, hence 'power brakes'.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thank you, that's the answer I was looking for. I wasn't aware of that as most vehicles lose their vaccuum pressure when the power is off, hence 'power brakes'.

Reminds me that pressing test twice on my Brake Buddy is not remotely necessary on the Maverick, as there is no vacuum to deplete. Gotta revise my cheat sheet to eliminate that line.

 

[Headbanger]

Reminds me that pressing test twice on my Brake Buddy is not remotely necessary on the Maverick, as there is no vacuum to deplete. Gotta revise my cheat sheet to eliminate that line.

I was just looking at those Brake Buddy's. They look pretty nice.

 

[BradnChristine]

I was just looking at those Brake Buddy's. They look pretty nice.

Mine is a 20+ year old BrakeBuddy. I've moved it to 9 different toweds by simply adding breakaway switches to each vehicle, and making sure that I can get constant 12V power. People complain about their bulk, but there is no complex wiring or cabling...and it even has an alert light to tell you whenever it is engaged. I've seen them on eBay very cheaply, and the alert systems (a $200 item) are sometimes included. These are what mine looks like. I've seen the BrakeBuddy itself for less than $200 and actually found a complete system at a thrift store for $35. I've given away 2 of them (to family and someone who purchased a towed). Anything that lasts 20+ years is good for me.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116217507486?itmmeta=01J1FWC0GDWC618RNQ2CQEC58F&
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195316320450?itmmeta=01J1FWC0NM3SQRYD2PJXJB291Y

 

[Bert Rooster]

Original post update: the service advisor just called to inform me the new steering column assembly that was to be shipped overnight from Colorado to New Mexico is in transit. I told him yesterday I did not believe they would get the part today. He admitted I was right. Now seems that the earliest I can get my truck back will be late Mon or Tues sometime. On Mon the truck will have been at the dealership 2 weeks. If it wasn't so disappointing it would be comical.
On what I guess is a positive note, the Ford person who monitors this forum did start a "case" whatever that means.

 

[realshelby]

I would be interested to know how much slack is in the hitch setups that involve this wobble condition.
Can you wiggle the hitch left/right by hand with no load on it where it goes into the receiver?
Is there slack left to right in any other component of the towbar ( my NSA Ready Brute II is coming off after this trip for that reason....)?

Slack in these components is going to allow uncontrolled movement left to right....which might be enough to promote the wobble.

I cannot stand to see the toad move back and forth behind my coach.

 

[Twinboat]

I started out last fall with a brand new tow bar setup.
After our 6 month trip from NY to FL then TX and back home in NY, over 3500 miles, every wear point is showing wear.
The pins, the adaptors, the holes the adaptors plug into and tow bar forks the pins go thru are all made of common steel with no hardened bushings and now loose fitting.
When the sell you junk, you can't help have loose fitting tow bars and play in the setup.

 

[BradnChristine]

My 3 year old Roadmaster Falcon 2 towbar is still tight after about 9000 miles of towing. My old Roadmaster Stowmaster is pretty loose after probably 150,000-200,000 miles between me and the former owner.

 

[Bert Rooster]

Got my Mav back this afternoon. 2 weeks to the day to perform 3 recalls and replace the Steering Column Assembly (twice!). Will soon be testing it as we have a 3000 mile trip planned in a few days. Hoping my love/hate relationship with the truck turns back to being love only

 

[Twinboat]

I now have new snug fitting adaptors that should take most of the movement out of the connection. I'm off to Ohio, from NY on Sunday, hope it don't wobble anymore.

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